ABC’s Stumptown survived ho-hum season one ratings and earned a season 2 renewal a few months ago but now the network has reversed that decision and it’s all due to COVID-19.
Stumptown was part of the fall 2020 ABC schedule announced in June, slated to return to the Wednesday 10:00 PM slot it occupied last season. Despite that initial decision, a timing issue related to the production start delays because of the coronavirus pandemic made it impossible for the show to be ready for a fall launch when the network had scheduling needs for the 2020-21 season. It was due to this that the network ultimately decided to reverse its renewal decision and not move forward with season 2.
The studio behind the show, ABC Signature, plans to shop it and hopefully find a new home for the series. I’m not sure how much interest there will be in another network or streaming service nabbing the show, although having a star like Cobie Smulders in the lead could help its chances. The series, which films in Los Angeles, had not started production when the call not to go with Season 2 was made and the cast and the crew were notified right before the story went to press.
Based on a graphic novel series following veteran Dex Parios, Stumptown stars Cobie Smulders, Jake Johnson, Tantoo Cardinal, Cole Sibus, Adrian Martinez, with Camryn Manheim and Michael Ealy. The show followed a sharp-witted Marine veteran that becomes a private investigator in Portland, Oregon. Despite the live ratings not being incredibly stellar, the show did develop a fan following and was a powerhouse in digital and delayed viewing for the network.
