HBO apparently had second thoughts about renewing its ’70s-era rock ‘n roll drama Vinyl. Now, just four months after it was renewed for a second season, the show has been officially canceled.
The highly promoted music-business drama produced by Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger was reportedly axed due to lackluster ratings and reviews, and the decision to reconsider the show’s future comes amid a series of big changes — both at the network and with the show itself.
“After careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of Vinyl,” confirmed HBO in a statement (as reported by Variety). “Obviously, this was not an easy decision. We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.”
The series starred Boardwalk Empire actor Bobby Cannavale as a record executive in the 1970s, and featured a supporting cast that included notable big- and small-screen actors Ray Romano, Olivia Wilde, and Juno Temple. Scorsese himself directed the pilot episode that premiered in February, with Boardwalk Empire creator Terence Winter serving as showrunner on the series. The series was based on a story conceived by Jagger, Scorsese, and Winter, as well as novelist and Rolling Stone contributing editor Rich Cohen.
Vinyl was initially renewed by HBO just after the series premiere, but the show’s underwhelming performance prompted a behind-the-scenes shakeup that resulted in Winter stepping down as showrunner. The network reportedly planned to overhaul the series for its second season with new showrunner Scott Z. Burns, but eventually abandoned those plans.
HBO itself has undergone some significant behind-the-scenes changes in recent months, with the network’s former head of comedy programming, Casey Bloys, replacing Michael Lombardo as the network’s programming president.
