AMC+ has decided not to proceed with a second season moonport.
The cancellation comes four months after the dystonic sci-fi series was renewed for a second season and just days after AMC Networks announced sweeping cost-cutting measures when CEO Christina Spade resigned.
The company is laying off 20% of its US employees and taking up to $475 million in writedowns as part of restructuring its business. Up to $400 million of that is earmarked for content-related activities, which the company calls “strategic program assessments.”
In an SEC filing, AMC Networks said that “program ratings cover a broad mix of owned and licensed content, including legacy television series and films that will no longer actively rotate on the company’s linear or digital platforms.”
Corresponding meetingthe inverse of moonportThe renewal decision of is part of that effort.
However, it’s still surprising that the show was canceled considering AMC Networks touted its strong performance. The company was also rumored to be considering a two-season pickup before placing an order for the six-episode second season in late July. That’s what AMC Networks said at the time moonport was the #1 most-watched AMC+ exclusive and #1 most-watched new series in the streamer’s history dark winds.
Created by Peter Ocko who acted as showrunner, moonport revolves around a utopian colony on the moon that may hold the key to sustaining life on earth.
Dominic Monaghan, Emma McDonald, Amara Karan, Ayelet Zurer, Joe Manganiello, Kadeem Hardison and Yazzmin Newell star in the series.
Produced by AMC Studios, moonport is run by Ocko and Deb Spera.
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the moon and continue our story with this amazing cast and crew,” Ocko said at the time of the season 2 renewal. “AMC+ has been a wonderful partner in bringing our world to life and we can’t wait to continue the journey.”
