‘Bastard Executioner’ Canceled

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

FX’s drama series TheBastard Executioner will not return for a second season, according to the show’s creator Kurt Sutter, who bought ads in trade magazines on Wednesday announcing the show’s demise.

The series, about the battles of warrior knights during the Middle Ages, ended its freshman season Tuesday. On Wednesday, Sutter (Sons Of Anarchy)  took out an ad in several industry magazines announcing the show’s cancelation, citing subpar ratings and thanking FX and the show’s cast. The show had received mixed reviews (here is ours) and, in the live plus three days' viewing ratings released by FX, it lagged behind FX dramas American Horror Story and Fargo. The Nov. 2 episode drew about 2.1 million average viewers (ages 2+) on a L+3 basis. 

 “The audience has spoken and unfortunately the word is 'meh,' ” Sutter said in the ad. “So with due respect, we  bring our mythology to an epic and fiery close.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.