The fall 2016 TV season may have its first victim. ABC has trimmed the 13-episode first season of its new drama “Notorious” down to 10 episodes.
The move is usually a sign that a show is effectively canceled, though the network has vowed to air all 10 episodes, and it could still be renewed for a second season.
The drama starring Piper Perabo and Daniel Sunjata premiered on Thursday, September 22, in the “Scandal” slot, though it performed poorly, garnering only a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demo, along with 5.4 million viewers.
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Three episodes of “Notorious” have aired thus far, and subsequent episodes also declined in ratings.
Inspired by the true-life stories of famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, the drama is described as a provocative look at the unique, sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media.
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“Notorious” is the first new network drama to have its episode order cut, though ABC had already cut the episode order of its yet-to-premiere midseason comedy “Imaginary Mary,” citing time constraints with the animated elements of the show.
“Notorious” is actually not ABC’s lowest-rated new drama. That distinction goes to the Hayley Atwell-led “Conviction,” which is averaging just a 0.8 rating.