In a season that saw a reemergence of fantasy TV, it is Camelot - the Starz network’s retelling of the classic Arthurian legend – that will be the one to concede defeat. The network has declined to continue production on the big-budget series beyond the first season.
Premiering in April of this year to numbers good enough to make it Starz’s highest-rated series debut ever (1.13 million viewers), Camelot certainly got off to a great start.
The ratings eroded significantly throughout the season, however – and while there was a significant uptick in viewership for the final few episodes – as well as the season finale (reports put the final episode’s audience at more than a million viewers) there were immediately questions as to whether this surge in ratings would be enough for the series to continue.
While the network has announced Camelot will not go on, they have sidestepped the issue of ratings and placed the blame squarely on the fluctuating schedules of the show’s cast.
According to Deadline, scheduling conflicts amongst some of the program’s stars like Joseph Feinnes, Jamie Campbell Bower and Eva Green were substantial enough that, along with other issues, Starz simply decided to throw in the towel.
With Bower recently cast in Screen Gem’s adaptation of The Mortal Instruments, and Green having a role in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, it’s easy to see how it might be difficult to secure the stars for the season’s lengthy shoot in Ireland.
The network announced the series’ end with the following statement:
“Due to significant production challenges, Starz has decided not to exercise the option for subsequent seasons of Camelot with our production partners GK-tv, Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions.”
Another ‘production challenge’ could be the cost of the series in relation to its prospective revenue. With a period drama such as Camelot – which relied heavily on elaborate costumes, props and set pieces – the budget (rumored to be in the millions per episode) likely played a large role in the network’s decision to discontinue production.
Additionally, although it was received moderately well, Camelot was not without its detractors. Many found it to be a poor substitute for Starz’s other hit series, Spartacus, which won’t return to the network until early 2012. Also, let us not forget that Camelot had the misfortune of airing around the same time as HBO’s similarly-themed Game of Thrones, which, in comparison, saw its ratings and acclaim rise with each passing episode – the effect of which likely played negatively on the flailing Camelot.
In terms of the content, the series struggled to find its legs – seemingly meandering through several episodes – unsure how best to translate the abstract nature of the program’s central theme. At one moment Camelot was a romantic period piece, with Arthur torn between his duty as a king and his love for Guinevere, the wife of his champion Leontes (Philip Winchester), while the next moment it was delving into the mystery of Merlin (Joseph Feinnes) and Morgan’s (Eva Green) mystical abilities.
All in all, the parts didn’t create a compelling enough whole.
Though Camelot was not the success it was hoping for, Starz still has plenty of original content to look forward to – starting with the premiere of Torchwood: Miracle Day in July. Afterward, the network has Boss with Kelsey Grammer, the crime saga Magic City starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and the long-delayed second season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, entitled Spartacus: Vengeance starring Liam McIntyre as the new Thracian warrior-turned-rebel-leader.
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I cant believe that after finally airing an amazing series like camelot. Starz didnt even give it a decent chance,camelot was the only reason i subscribed to starz.
I agree. I loved Camelot and was hoping to see a second season. Maybe they will change their minds and bring it back at least i hope so.
Me too that sh*t is so bogus i keep watching the first season thinking its gone to be an second one they (bonden )
Bougus as hell !!! They anit got to spend all that . The United States have lot of good places to screen.
Me too that is so bogus i keep watching the first season thinking its gone to be
an second one they (bonden )
Bougus as hell !!! They anit got to spend all that . The United States have lot of good places to screen.
I just started watching it. Thought it was great. Maybe Merlin will use his powers an resurrect it. That’s all folks!
I loved this series. I wish it would come back.
PLEASE reconsider, You cannot leave the viewers with a hanging chad.
Im watching season 1 again and have known for awhile stars elected not to renew but as I remember how amazing this series is I thought I should make a point to let anyone reading this know that I cancelled my Starz subscription when I found out they weren’t renewing this series, it is a gigantic mistake on their part I’m sure nearly anyone who had watched it would agree.
Im watching season 1 again and have known for awhile stars elected not to renew but as I remember how amazing this series is I thought I should make a point to let anyone reading this know that I cancelled my Starz subscription when I found out they weren’t renewing this series.
Im disapointed. Ive been looking for any kind hint ondemand looking for camelot. Maybe you make a 2 or 3 part movie. At least we know how it ends. Pr bring it in different part of year. Damn. This sucks.
Im disapointed. Ive been looking for any kind hint ondemand looking for camelot. Maybe you make a 2 or 3 part mot least we know how it ends. Pr bring it in different part of year. Damn. This sucks.
Im disapointed. Ive been looking for any kind hint ondemand looking for camelot. Maybe you make a 2 or 3 part mot least we know how it ends. Pr bring it in different part of year.
Im disapointed. Ive been looking for any kind hint ondemand looking for camelot. Maybe you make a 2 or 3 part movie. Bring it back and check ratings next year. This stinks. I m tired of being told what i can and cant watch. P.s. game of thrones is much better.
Weeelll…. that rots! This series and Game of thrones are the 2 best, This one without the homosexual stuff made it better.
I just subscribed to Starz and watched Camelot and loved the series, looked it up to find it was.cancelled!Always the good shows! Sick of it!
I just subscribed to Starz and watched Camelot and loved the series, looked it up to find it was cancelled! Always the good shows! Sick of it! It was a great show, so disappointing!
This is a good reason to drop STARZ. They get a show that is a STAR and they do not even know it, probably like they do not know how to spell the plural of STAR by using a Z or are they tying to have ZERO good shows.
I am terribly dissapointed that Stare created this badly recrated rendition
of this wonderful legend, This sotry, as a legond, with its magic.
only brought wonder to my heart. As a vehical to historical legend I feel
it was a total failure. Nice try though, Good acting. Bob
I love Camelot. I watched every show and have been waiting tor season 2. Now find out that they are not bringing it back. I kept Stars just for this series. I hope that they change their minds and bring it back. The ones who watched it at least deserve to know how the series is going to end.
I really don’t understand why you would get rid of the best show that starts had ever created.
I love this show,why did you take it off the air,it was a wonderful show.If you need ratings I will get them for you.I have a group, we watch , Game of Thrones,Da Vinci’s Demon’s,Borgia’s,Mr.Selfridge,Dowton Abbey,Veep,Boss,The C word,Episode’s. I love love love Camelot it was wicked sexy and unlike any other show on…Please Bring It Back
I love this show,why did you take it off the air,it was a wonderful show.If you need ratings I will get them for you.I have a group, we watch , Game of Thrones,Da Vinci’s Demon’s,Borgia’s, Mr. Selfridge, Dowton,Veep,Boss,The C word,Episode’s. I love love love Camelot it was wicked sexy and unlike any other show on…Please Bring It Back
I love this show,why did you take it off the air,it was a wonderful show.If you need ratings I will get them for you.I have a group, we watch , Game of Thrones,Da Vinci’s Demon’s,Borgia’s, Mr. Selfridge, Dowton Abbey,Veep,Boss,The C word,Episode’s. I love love love Camelot it was wicked sexy and unlike any other show on…Please Bring It Back
I love this show,why did you take it off the air,it was a wonderful show.If you need ratings I will get them for you.I have a group, we watch , Game of Thrones,Da Vinci’s Demon’s,Borgia’s,Veep,Boss,The C word,Episode’s. I love love love Camelot it was wicked sexy and unlike any other show on…Please Bring It Back
iv been waiting for camelot s2 now that its not coming back im taking stars off my cable we all lost a good show thanks for nothing STARS
please bring it back, it’s a great show.