People of Earth creator David Jenkins revealed on Friday that the alien comedy has been cancelled after two seasons.
Just got word last night: TBS has cancelled People of Earth. Thank you to everyone who was a fan of the show and enjoyed its gentle, amiable sci-fi weirdness. It was an honor sharing this show with you. Let’s do it again soon. Love you all. https://t.co/QViyRi0RNF
— David Jenkins (@david_jenkins__) June 8, 2018
Season three, which is already written, will not be shot. Season two is the last season. https://t.co/MNRlecLAQJ
— David Jenkins (@david_jenkins__) June 8, 2018
The decision comes around nine months after the show’s third season renewal, which was announced along with the third season of Wrecked and second season of The Guest Book. There had been signs things weren’t quite right with the show’s third season, which had previously been scheduled to film this fall, but the cancellation itself is a surprise given the show’s solid ratings and positive reception. This marks TBS’s first scripted cancellation since its Kevin Reilly-fronted reboot took shape in 2016 with the debut of Angie Tribeca, with seven consecutive comedies making it to a second season.
There’s been precedent for a network rescinding a renewal, though. HBO walked back its renewals of costly period drama Vinyl and political comedy The Brink, while executive turnover at VH1 cost Hindsight its second season and BET axed hip hop drama The Breaks shortly after its second season renewal. Similarly, Paramount Network recently cancelled Heathers after its first season was shot and a (likely) second season had been written.
Starring the likes of Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live), Nasim Pedrad (Mulaney), Luka Jones (Up All Night), Brian Huskey (Childrens Hospital), Alice Wetterlund (Silicon Valley), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Office Christmas Party), and Nancy Lenehan (My Name is Earl), People of Earth followed a support group for those who’ve had experiences with extraterrestrials.