Not even big names could convince HBO to renew the beloved sci-fi series Lovecraft Country. In an announcement two days before the now controversial 4th of July holiday, HBO told Deadline that Lovecraft Country would not be renewed for a second season.
“We will not be moving forward with a second season of Lovecraft Country,” the platform released in a statement. “We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of the gifted cast and crew, and to Misha Green, who crafted this groundbreaking series. And to the fans, thank you for joining us on this journey.”
Despite having Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot attached to the project, along with the best of Black Hollywood, including Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollettt, Michael Kenneth Williams, Courtney B. Vance, and Aunjanue Ellis.
Directed by Misha Green of Underground fame, Lovecraft Country is based on the book authored by Matt Ruff and follows Majors’ character Atticus Freeman and his network as they search for his missing father throughout the Jim Crow south. The 10-episode series did quite well for itself, drawing a 7.1 out 10 rating from 33,000+ reviewers on IMDb. The series also nabbed 1.5 million viewers for its finale that aired in October, according to Deadline.
Although the first season relied heavily on Ruff’s book for a story outline, the second season was headed in a new direction and relying more on writers to create original storylines.
“She had a book to go on in the first season,” HBO Chief Content Officer said in a statement to Deadline. “She and the writers wanted to go off and take some time to go out and figure out without a book with these characters, what’s the journey we want to go on. We all want to be sure she’s got a story to tell.”
Amid the breaking news, Green posted a hint on Twitter of what the next season would have covered.
“A taste of the Season 2 Bible. Wish we could have brought you #LovecraftCountry: Supremacy. Thank you to everyone who watched and engaged. #noconfederate.”
