‘Moonhaven’ Canceled At AMC+ After Prior Renewal

AMC+ has decided not to proceed with a second season of Moonhaven.

The cancellation comes four months after the dystonic sci-fi series was renewed for a second season and just days after AMC Networks announced sweeping cost-cutting measures as CEO Christina Spade stepped down.

The company is laying off 20% of its U.S. staff as well as implementing write-downs for up to $475 million as it restructures its business. Up to $400 million of that is for content-related moves the company calls “strategic programming assessments”

In a SEC filing, AMC Networks said that “programming assessments pertain to a broad mix of owned and licensed content, including legacy television series and films that will no longer be in active rotation on the company’s linear or digital platforms.”

According to Deadline, the reverse of Moonhaven’s renewal decision is part of that effort.

It’s still surprising that the show was canceled, however, given the fact that AMC Networks touted its strong performance. It is also rumored that the company considered a two-season pickup before going with a six-episode second season order in late July. At the time, AMC Networks said that Moonhaven was its number one most-watched AMC+ exclusive series and number most-watched new series in the streamer’s history behind Dark Winds.

Created by Peter Ocko, who served as showrunner, Moonhaven centers on a utopian colony on the Moon that may hold the keys to preserving life on Earth.

 

Dominic Monaghan, Emma McDonald, Amara Karan, Ayelet Zurer, Joe Manganiello, Kadeem Hardison and Yazzmin Newell star in the series.

Produced by AMC Studios, Moonhaven is exec produced by Ocko and Deb Spera.

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the Moon and continue our story with this amazing cast and crew,” Ocko said at the time of the Season 2 renewal. “AMC+ has been a wonderful partner in bringing our world to life, and we can’t wait to continue the journey.”