‘Bunheads’ Canceled By ABC Family

Bunheads has officially been canceled by ABC Family after one season.

The comedy drama, which was created by Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, premiered to 1.64 million viewers last June and received positive reviews throughout its brief run. Ten episodes aired consistently through August, and then the show went on an almost five-month hiatus, returning in January to 1.23 million viewers. The season finale, which aired on February 25, drew 1.01 million viewers, and it became unclear whether the network would renew the show for a second season.

In March, Slate writer David Weigel called for ABC Family to renew the series, and named it the best show on TV.

“The New York Times has said it on the front page of the Style section, and regular Slate-ster Alyssa Rosenberg has said it eloquently at ThinkProgress,” Weigel wrote. “I’ll add my voice: ABC Family needs to renew Amy Sherman-Palladino’s fantastic ballet dramedy Bunheads, the best original, scripted show on TV. Yes, the best.”

Unfortunately for Weigel and other fans, ABC Family did not agree with that sentiment, and announced Monday that it was cancelingBunheads.

“Bunheads is a wonderful series that we are very proud to have aired. The series had amazing storytelling, the most talented cast and a passionate and loyal fan base,” the network said in a statement. “Recognizing all of this, we took extra time to try and find ways to bring the series back for another season, but in the end it simply wasn’t possible. We wish the cast and crew the best in their future endeavors.”

The decision to cancel Bunheads comes a week after the network canceled The Lying Game. The series, which was loosely based on the novels of the same name by Sara Shepard — who also wrote Pretty Little Liars — aired its season 2 finale on March 12, and drew 1.11 million viewers.

Are you disappointed that Bunheads has been canceled?