Mere months after AMC announced that season 3 of the rain-soaked murder mystery The Killing would not happen, the network has apparently had a change of heart. Reports are now stating the network is in the process of un-canceling the program with the intention of having new episodes ready by May of next year.
The deal came about due to the strong efforts of the show’s producers and Fox TV Studios, who were so adamant to keep the show alive that, shortly after the cancelation was announced, rumors began circulating (as they always seem to) that the program would begin searching for a new home. Inevitably, an assumption that Netflix would save the series soon followed – speculation that was proven correct…at least partially.
Apparently, the deal was a bit more complex than The Killing simply packing its bags and heading over to the rental and streaming giant. As previously reported, the deal would see Netflix share the cost of producing season 3 with the cable network, and AMC would be given the opportunity to air new episodes first.
While the post-cancelation story of The Killing has been filled with as many touchy false conclusions as the investigation into the murder of Rosie Larsen, there’s no doubt the network’s change of heart was based largely on financial concerns. But for those who remained a fan of the series throughout the first two seasons, there is more good news beyond its resurrection: Early word is that showrunner Veena Sud delivered such a strong pitch for the season’s third (well, second) storyline that AMC was further convinced that bringing the series back was the right thing to do.
For AMC, The Killing has been a bit of a double-edged sword. Following in the incredibly successful and highly praised footsteps of Mad Men and Breaking Bad, the series premiered to good reviews and strong ratings. But after what was perceived as the titanic misstep not to reveal the identity of the murderer in season one’s finale, many fans cried foul, claiming the network’s promotion of the show assured closure for the central mystery. Despite an acknowledgement from the network and promises from Sud and the series’ cast that the Rosie Larsen murder would have a definitive end, the audience simply did not show up for the second season. As such, by the end of season 2, the series was drawing in a rather paltry 1.9 million viewers.
In the face of dwindling ratings, series co-star and future RoboCop Joel Kinnaman stated publicly that he believed there were still plenty of stories to be told involving detectives Linden (Mirelle Enos) and Holder. At one point, Kinnaman referred to the future of the series as something of a reboot that would completely move away from any of the storylines of its predecessor, the Danish series Forbrydelsen.
Kinnaman stated:
“We’ve invested a lot in these characters and want to see how they continue their journey. I feel like Linden and Holder [are] just [getting] started. It’s like the first season [of a show], where it [would] be original material and not based on the Danish [series] anymore.”
Even though the series’ leads have since seen their careers transition to the big screen in the abovementioned RoboCop reboot and World War Z, respectively, they are the only cast members contractually obligated to appear in season 3 – which leaves the storyline and further casting completely up in the air. It stands to reason that Billy Campbell (The Rocketeer), as newly-elected mayor of Seattle, Darren Richmond, could have a role in the upcoming season, though it would seem very unlikely that Michelle Forbes or Brent Sexton’s characters would have much reason to be involved in any future storylines.
So now the question is whether the promise of a new storyline will be enough to bring viewers back to the series. With production expected to start sometime in February, we won’t have to wait too long in order to find out.
Screen Rant will keep you updated on season 3 of The Killing as more news is made available.
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Cancellation of this intriguing series would be a colossal mistake! The relationship between Holder and Linden is enough to make the show very “watchable”. Add in a complicated murder investigation and you have an all-round winner! Can’t wait for it to start!!
Shirley u said it all. They are wonderful together. And it would have been a huge mistake to cancel. Agree . Totally.
Honestly I loved. Season 1 and couldn’t wait for Season 2. I think the biggest problem was that I NEVER saw any advertising for this series. I found out about it through word of mouth to watch on Netflix. There is plenty of info for other shows like “The Walking Dead”
Etc. Please keep your viewers informed.
I just finished season 2. I had absolutely no issues with the case not being solved at the conclusion of season 1. AMC shows only have 13 episodes per season whereas most “Network” hows have 24ish. If this aired on NBC, ABC or CBS the murder would have been solved in the same amount of episodic time. Is it difficult to wait the time between seasons? Yes. But they should not rush the story-line and character development just to appease people who need instant gratification. I am glad it will see a third season and I hope the writing stays top-notch.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m hoping there is a season 4 as well.
I really liked the show to have the killer solved in the first season
Would take all the suspense away .
Am glad it’s coming back
I just finished watching both seasons back-to-back over several weeks on netflicks. Loved the relationship between the leads but got weary of the whodunit twists n turns.. I think 1 season/11 episodes is adequate for one story line. If I had watched it when it first ran and got left hanging for months, I most likely wouldn’t have returned for the second season. Now they aren’t even starting to film for another year….really good show..really poor planning.
Best crime show ever on tv would hate to lose it too soon like the wire.
Can’t wait for season 3!
I wish it would hurry up. May seems so long to wait. I love the re-runs! I love the show! I want more of the rain!
I know I am just one person but please don’t cancel The Killing. It’s an addictive story line.
Please don’t cancel. The Killing is one of the best edge of your seat dramas on tv. We are tired of the solve the case in 1 hour, real life takes time and this show is incredible.
Not so fast!! Brent Sexton might have future storylines; remember his mob and underworld connections . . .
As Seattleites, I guess we take particular interest in the show. Must be the rain, to which we are oddly addicted.
The demand for resolution demonstrates the fact that viewers have not entirely clued into what is really happening in the show, namely the undoing if also unfolding of all major characters. “Solving” murders is the business of police detectives. Watching the destruction meted upon victims, perpetrators and the same detectives in the process of solving the murders is the business of viewing audience. What was good about the show was the degree to which it took its time developing ‘resolution’ (and in the process suggesting that no real resolution would be possible until, for instance, Linden faces the fact that she was abandoned by her mother as a child, something we should both desire but never in fact expect to ever happen in narratives such as this). That such a series would be shut down precisely because it attempts something of substance is typical of television. Its revival for a 3rd season is encouraging. Let’s just hope the writers and producers ‘stick by their guns’ and keep it as real as possible.
The Killing was a great show. Ok we didn’t like to.be kept in the dark at the end of 1rst season but still they delivered. And we are very happy its back. And when i say we i mean a lot of viewers. Thank you AMC.
great show. best show on amc. bring it on. love the series.
I loved this show, and I’m thrilled to see it return. I know you can’t believe everything you read on the Internet, in fact next to nothing, anyway, I read that a lot of viewers were disappointed in Veena Sud’s writing of the story. That surprised me, because I thought she was quite brilliant, in fact, I not sure if she wrote the final episode, but that was an excellent, well thought out ending, something I never would have guessed. Sure, you may have guessed the aunt had something to do with it, but the way it happened was just well thought. Rosie’s homemade movie that plays at the end, brilliant! This series has everything going for it, and I hope there is a lot more to come.
We are so happy to see that the series will be back. We love it and can’t wait to see our characters return.
I thought the series was perfect the way it was. Not finding out who the killer was at the end of season 1, I felt like a stroke of genius. Pulled me right in. Great characters and story.
Please continue.
Loved the series! Loved the characters! Can’t wait for season 3
Wow, this made my day! I loved this show and to see that it has a chance of coming back is great! I loved both seasons of it, and I’m honestly glad they didn’t wrap up the murderer in the 1st season either or it may have been its only season. I like when a show ends with something suspenseful to give us desire for the next season to come into play. I can’t wait.. now I’m amped! Given I just found out that Cheesecake Factory no longer serves my favorite Caramel Chicken dish and that I had to deal with that sad news, I’m glad that I also didn’t have to give up on a 3rd season coming to life. Great news! Looking forward to May!
I found this great article through @TheKillingonAMC on twitter comparing the leads from The Killing to other shows leads like Hannibal and Elementary. I think that The Killing is an excellent show and I’m looking forward to season 3.
Love The Killing!! I’ve been searching Comcast On Demand for replays and waiting impatiently for the next season. I happen to catch an episode late into season 1 and was hooked. Love Holder & Linden together. Keep the seasons rolling, we’re hooked!
I heard the backlash about how season 1 ended before I watched the show and without spoilers. Having the luxury of watching it on netflix in one shot, I didnt have that prob. At first I thought it was a poor attempt to drag the show on and push it in a totally different direction for the mere sake of having a season 2 (speculation based on what I heard), but the finale was very gratifying and closed all the storylines. Unfortunate everyone is so freakin impatient in this ADD world.