The CW is showing faith in some of its bubble shows and a longtime fan favorite. The network has renewed All-American, Roswell, New Mexico, In The Dark & The 100.
For those keeping score, this is the first time in years the network has not canceled a single show this season as all five of its freshman dramas are returning. With the four renewals, The CW’s entire slate — save for the previously announced final seasons of Jane the Virgin, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and iZombie — is returning for 2019-20. The decision also leaves the network with little room on its schedule. The network has six pilots in contention — including DC Comics frontrunner Batwoman — and an abbreviated eighth and final season of Arrow.
All-American, from super-producer Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, is a fish-out-of-water drama starring Daniel Ezra and inspired by the life of former pro football player Spencer Paysinger. The Warner Bros. TV-produced series earned only a three-episode back order and wrapped its 16-episode season earlier this year. Its Netflix deal & a warm critical reception helped secure a second season as the network has said the show is performing well on the streamer after being added when season 1 ended.
Roswell, New Mexico, which wrapped its freshman season Tuesday, is an immigration-themed reboot of the former WB Network/UPN drama. The series launched midseason and ranks as the most-watched of The CW’s freshman roster at just under 2 million viewers.
Early returns for fellow midseason debut In the Dark — both in terms of critical approval and Nielsen ratings — have not been promising for the CBS TV Studios-produced dramedy about a blind woman who is the only “witness” to the slaying of her drug-dealing boyfriend. The show is returning for a second season because the network has faith in the creative direction of the show.
The 100, meanwhile, has scored an early seventh season renewal as the post-apocalyptic drama from showrunner Jason Rothenberg and Warner Bros. TV doesn’t return until April 30 for its sixth season.
