‘Outsiders’ Canceled After 2 Seasons on WGN America

Sony Pictures TV plans to shop the series elsewhere

Outsiders WGN America
WGN America

WGN America has canceled “Outsiders” after two seasons, TheWrap has learned.

The decision marks a change in direction for the network’s programming strategy. Tribune Media President and CEO Peter Kern said in a statement on Friday that the cable network will be “reallocating our resources to a more diverse programming strategy.”

“Outsiders” was WGN America’s third original scripted series, and its cancellation leaves the network with only the slave-era drama “Underground,” currently airing its second season.

Sony Pictures Television, the studio behind “Outsiders” said it plans to shop the series elsewhere.

The series follows the lives of the Farrells, who live atop Shay Mountain in rural Kentucky. But when a coal company wants to strip-mine their home, internal divisions arise as they must decide whether to seek a peaceful or violent solution with the outside world. Gillian Alexy, Ryan Hurst, Kyle Gallner, Christina Jackson, Thomas M. Wright and David Morse star.

The series is created by Peter Mattei, who executive produces alongside Peter Tolan and Michael Wimer, Paul Giamatti and Dan Carey.

Read the full statement from Kern below.

After three years of investing in marquee, brand-defining dramas, WGN America has successfully expanded its audience, its reach, and its presence in the minds of viewers. In our next phase, we intend to expand our original and unique content to continue growing our relevance and appeal to the widest possible audience. To achieve this, we will be reallocating our resources to a more diverse programming strategy and to new structures, enabling us to expand both the quantity and breadth of content aired by WGN America. This move is designed to deliver even more value to our advertising and distribution partners. To free up the resources to reach this goal, we will unfortunately not be renewing ‘Outsiders.’ We are grateful to our production partners at Sony Pictures Television and the terrifically talented people who made the show possible.

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