Per a tweet from The Quad co-creator Felicia D. Henderson, the HBCU drama has been cancelled after two seasons.
Unfortunate news… #TheQuadBET #QuadSquad #sQuad #QuadStrong @TheQuadWriters #BestFansEver #Gratitude #VeryProud. Special thanks to @rolandsmartin for your ride or die support! pic.twitter.com/u7XP3EtTaV
— felicia d. henderson (@followFeliciaD) April 9, 2018
The cancellation of The Quad comes as a bit of a surprise, considering the show’s strong presence on social media and (generally) positively-received portrayal of HBCUs. Even with a very large cast and ratings down a bit from last season (to still renewable-for-2018 levels), it was something of a brand asset for BET as they look to become a hub for scripted content in the wake of Viacom restructuring. However, signs point to BET being a bit of a network on a budget, as they recently cancelled VH1 transfer The Breaks before airing an episode and Viacom signed a deal with notably budget-conscious content creator Tyler Perry that kicks in soon.
From Henderson (Marvel’s The Punisher) and Charles Holland (Black Lightning), The Quad told the story of Dr. Eva Fletcher (Anika Noni Rose), the newly elected President of Georgia A&M, a financially struggling HBCU. In addition to chronicling Eva’s efforts to battle the patriarchy that looked to bring her down, as well as her attempts to save the school from financial ruin, the series followed a sprawling group of co-eds as they dealt with everything from frat hazing to unexpected pregnancies, following their musical dreams, and PTSD from sexual assault.
The Quad also starred the likes of Jazz Raycole (My Wife and Kids), Peyton Alex Smith (Detroit), Jake Allyn (Overexposed), Sean Blakemore (General Hospital), and Jasmine Guy (Dead Like Me).
