HBO has canceled gay-themed comedy “Looking” after two seasons, but will give the San Francisco friends a farewell special.
Here’s the network’s statement:
After two years of following Patrick and his tight-knit group of friends as they explored San Francisco in search of love and lasting relationships, HBO will present the final chapter of their journey as a special. We look forward to sharing this adventure with the show’s loyal fans.
Despite having the coveted lead-in of Lena Dunham‘s “Girls,” “Looking” dropped to abysmal ratings levels during its second season. The series averaged just 240,000 viewers.
Although there has been a recent groundswell of support among TV critics and fans for the show’s renewal, major awards like an Emmy or Golden Globe have eluded the half-hour comedy and may have helped in getting it a third season.
From executive producers David Marshall Grant (“Smash,” “Brothers & Sisters”), Sarah Condon (“Bored to Death”) and writer Andrew Haigh, “Looking” revolves around three oddly matched friends — late-20s video game designer Patrick (Jonathan Groff), slightly older aspiring artist Augustin (Frankie J. Alvarez) and early-40s unfulfilled waiter Dom (Murray Bartlett) — as they navigate their careers and dating in “The City by the Bay.”
Additionally, Lauren Weedman, who plays Doris, Raúl Castillo as Richie and Russell Tovey as Kevin were promoted to series regular roles on Season 2.