Sporadic cancellationshave become commonplace throughout the past year, with many networks and major steamers implementing these cost-cutting measures. On Friday,Deadlinebroke the news that AMC’sDemascusis the latest on the chopping block, officially receiving its cancelation notice. The half-hour six-episode science fiction comedy comes from playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm and executive producers Mark Johnson(Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and Kirk Moore (American Crime), who also doubled as the series showrunner. Unfortunately, the cancelation news occurred afterDemascushad wrapped up production, with the series set to premiere on AMCand AMC+ this year.
Demascusfollows an eponymous character, an ordinary 33-year-old Black man on a mission of self-discovery. He experiences different versions of his life using innovative technology within the emergent digital psychiatry field to help find his truest self. Despite being listed as a sci-fi comedy, the seriesdelves into self-maturation, personal exploration, and varying Black male perspectives through alternative realities in a genre-fluid way.
Okieriete Onaodowan portrayed the titular character, leading the comedic sci-fi alongside Janet Hubert, Caleb Eberhardt, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, and Martin Lawrence, who was playing a recurring role.
Demascusjoins an expanding cancelation list of AMC shows, all of which are part of AMC’s efforts to mitigate costs after the network announced plans to write down $400 million of programming last year. The upcoming thrillerInvitation to a Bonfirealso didn’t make it to air, being canceled during production. LikeDemascus, both series were ordered last year as part of AMC’s script-to-series model. Additionally,Moonhavenand61st Streetgot the axe in their second seasons, with AMC rescinding their initial decision to move forward with both series.
Related:The Best Sci-Fi Comedies, Ranked
Demascus’ Showrunner Opens Up About the Sudden Cancelations by AMC
Showrunner Kirk Moore took toTwitteryesterday in a succession of tweets to addressDemascus’cancelation and the industry’s cost-reduction efforts that negatively affect creators. He announced the news using Deadline’s article with the caption, “Welcome to the business. This sucks. But it’s happening EVERYWHERE.”
According toDeadline, Moore’s now-deleted follow-up tweet included, “It’s wild that no one gets to see all the very good work everyone has put into this project because of finances and issues beyond our control.” He additionally stated that “several other factors” contributed toDemascus’untimely end, but his tweets covered some of what happened.
Although the series has been dropped fromAMC, hope is not entirely lost for audiences to see the sci-fi coming-of-age story. AMC Studios plans to sell the project, meaning it could find a home with another company or streamer. Underneath his announcement tweet, Moore agreed with one user about his hopes of shippingDemascuselsewhere.
