Why Was Last Resort Cancelled?

By Alice Nichols

Last Resort, an American military drama television series, premiered on ABC in September 2012. The show quickly gained a loyal fanbase due to its intriguing storyline and talented cast.

However, after only one season, ABC announced the cancellation of the show in November 2012. Fans were left wondering why such a promising show was abruptly cancelled.

The Premise of Last Resort

Last Resort was created by Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek and followed the crew of a United States Navy submarine, the USS Colorado. The submarine is equipped with nuclear missiles and receives orders to launch a pre-emptive strike against Pakistan. However, the captain of the submarine, Marcus Chaplin (played by Andre Braugher), questions the legitimacy of the orders and decides to take his crew to a remote island instead.

The Ratings Struggle

Despite its strong premiere, Last Resort struggled with ratings throughout its first and only season. The show aired on Thursday nights at 8 PM against tough competition such as The Big Bang Theory and The X Factor. Additionally, some viewers found it hard to believe that a submarine could be turned into a permanent home for its crew.

The Cancellation Announcement

On November 16th, 2012, ABC announced that Last Resort would not be picked up for a second season due to low ratings. Fans were shocked by this news, especially since the show had been gaining momentum towards the end of its first season.

The Aftermath

Following the cancellation news, fans took to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to express their disappointment. Many felt that Last Resort had been cancelled too soon and deserved another chance.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly after the cancellation announcement, Shawn Ryan expressed his frustration with ABC’s decision. He stated, “Ultimately, we didn’t have the time to grow creatively or domestically. It’s a shame.”

In Conclusion

Last Resort was a well-written and acted show that had the potential to become a hit with viewers. Unfortunately, it struggled with ratings and was cancelled after only one season. While fans were disappointed by the cancellation, they continue to appreciate the show’s unique premise and talented cast.