- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
FX is burning The Bridge. The cable network announced Tuesday that it has canceled the Diane Kruger–Demián Bichir drama after two seasons.
Based on the popular Danish-Swedish series of the same name, the series followed two detectives on opposite sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. (It’s been a popular format, also translating to a U.K.-French version.) Both seasons were critically well-received, but FX’s The Bridge suffered from a problem not uncommon to many prestige dramas in the ever-growing scripted landscape. It maintained a modest audience, and that critical favor never translated to any awards buzz.
While The Bridge did nab a Peabody in 2014, it never garnered any Emmy or Golden Globe nominations. And the ratings were small compared to FX juggernauts like American Horror Story and Sons of Anarchy. The 3 million viewers who tuned into the 2013 premiere were never duplicated, and much of the sophomore episodes hovered at or below the 1-million mark in live-plus-same day showings. Even as FX (and all networks) shift focus to time-shifting, The Bridge was not performing at the same level as much of its healthy catalog of originals.
Related Stories
It was a scripted debut for Shine America, which recently launched Gracepoint on Fox. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the studio is going to pursue other options for the series. “We thank our partners at FX for their tireless efforts in developing and launching The Bridge with us,” read a statement. “From its fresh, unique voice to its deep and diverse ensemble cast, this is a series that we are all very proud of.”
FX has a rather large stable at the moment, recently ordering second seasons of freshman Tyrant, The Strain and Emmy darling Fargo — and giving a straight-to-series order to Ryan Murphy’s Horror spin-off of sorts, American Crime Story.
On the comedy front, the network also has new seasons planned for Louie, Archer and Married (You’re the Worst has also been picked up but is moving to FXX). Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, The Comedians and Zach Galifianakis vehicle Baskets are also on deck.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day