Fox axes Lucifer, Exorcist, revives Last Man

Lucifer has been axed by Fox

UPFRONTS: US broadcast network Fox has been culling a number of shows, including two dramas, ahead of its Upfront presentation in New York on Monday.

The network has called time on dramas Lucifer and The Exorcist, with the former’s showrunner Joe Henderson taking to social media to express his sadness over the decision. Writing on Twitter, Henderson said: “So… yeah. #Lucifer has been cancelled… Heartbreaking doesn’t begin to describe.”

So… yeah. #Lucifer has been cancelled. And it fucking HURTS. I loved this show so damn much and everyone put their heart and soul into it. Heartbreaking doesn’t begin to describe.

— Joe Henderson (@Henderson_Joe) May 11, 2018

Jeremy Slater, creator and exec producer of The Exorcist, tweeted: “Sorry, guys… I know it’s easy to get angry at Fox, but the reality is that we were the lowest-rated drama on any network and they still brought us back for a second season, because they loved the show. There are no bad guys in this scenario.”

He added: “I was lucky enough to work with the greatest collection of writers, actors, artists and crew that anyone could ask for. Our amazing fans supported us every step of the way. I made lifelong friends and 20 hours of pretty good television. That’s not a bad legacy at all.”

I know it’s easy to get angry at Fox, but the reality is that we were the lowest-rated drama on any network and they still brought us back for a second season, because they loved the show. There are no bad guys in this scenario.

— Jeremy Slater (@jerslater) May 11, 2018

Elsewhere, in yet more evidence that vertical integration is creeping into Upfronts decision-making, Fox has brought back Tim Allen comedy Last Man Standing for the 2018/19 season.

Produced for the ABC network by 20th Century Fox Television, the show follows Allen as a married father of three girls, who tries to maintain his manliness in a world increasingly dominated by women.

However, it was pulled by original network ABC last year after its sixth run, a decision thought to be based largely on the fact the network didn’t own the show.

The Fox network has also renewed animated hit comedies Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers for their 17th and ninth seasons, respectively. Both produced by 20th Century Fox Television – with Bento Box Entertainment also producing Bob’s Burgers – the shows have won numerous Emmys between them.

Fox has also ordered a fifth and final season of Batman origins drama Gotham and a third season of the action drama Lethal Weapon, with Seann William Scott (American Pie) cast as a new series regular. Both shows are from Warner Bros TV.