It has been more than a year already since the American crime drama TV series “Graceland” aired its Season 3 finale on September 17 last year and about a year when the USA Network decided not to renew the show for a fourth season, but some fans and critics of the show are still talking about it.
The cancellation came off as a surprise to many fans of the TV series because the third season of “Graceland” ended with such a jaw-dropping twist that they would have expected the USA Network to give them the answer to the cliffhanger on its supposed Season 4.
But they guessed wrong as the network ultimately decided to let the ax fall on the show, which has not been doing very well in the ratings after its premiere season.
Just like most of the undercover government agents living in “Graceland” who spiraled out of control gradually, the TV series also followed the same route as it seemed to have wandered off from its storyline from its very strong first season.
As a result, the USA Network decided to put the show on the chopping board even if there seems to be an assurance that the TV series is bent on reclaiming its glory days in the rating game.
Plans for the supposed Season 4
The Season 3 finale of “Graceland” was arguably the best cliffhanger of the show thus far and the cast members were hoping that it would be enough to convince the network to push forward with another season.
Daniel Sunjata, who plays Paul Briggs, said in an interview that the whole cast had their fingers crossed that there would be another season so they could continue telling “Graceland” stories.
Unfortunately, their prayers were not answered. One source claimed that the show was great and very creative but its ratings did not justify bringing it back from the financial perspective, cites the Ecumenical News.
Showrunner Jeff Eastin also said that he already had plans for Season 4 of “Graceland” assuming that it was greenlit. He disclosed that they were planning to promote Brandon Jay McLaren, who portrays Jakes, to series regular.
Eastin also said that they were looking at having a time jump of six months after Jakes departure for the fourth season.
But all their well-laid plans have come to naught. However, Eastin said that he has no regrets for “Graceland” and is actually very proud of its three seasons on the air.
An ignominious list
“Graceland” joined the ignominious list of a handful of TV series that were cut on air without the benefit of a proper closure.
Had a Season 4 been hypothetically greenlit by the USA Network last year, the TV series could have ended its run by this time or actually ended the entire storyline and put a cap on it. Many critics believe that with the way the ratings of the TV series had been declining after its remarkable Season 1 run, “Graceland” was bound to be over sooner than later.
True enough, it did not take the USA Network too long to decide that after the Season 3 finale, they will put an end to the show regardless how the showrunners and writers put a wrap to it, notes Cinema Blend.
It was just a bit of disappointment for both the executive producers and writers that they were not able to guess what the USA Network would do. But they should have used the show’s ratings as their basis since it is no use producing and airing a TV series that does not earn money anyway.
The sad part about “Graceland” is that after its Season 3 finale that had a major cliffhanger to it, the executive producers of the TV series never bothered at all to haggle with the USA Network for a possible extension just to wrap up all the storylines or liaise with other networks or streaming services to rescue the show from cancellation.
There was not even a petition initiated by fans to ask the USA Network to reconsider its decision on “Graceland.”