Amazon’s cancellations of Z: The Beginning of Everything and The Last Tycoon have removed two scripted dramas from the streaming company’s 2017-18 line-up, but why did the axe fall so ruthlessly?
According to THR, Amazon, which has been disappointed by the lack of buzz and Emmy nominations in comparison to Netflix, is looking to reallocate its financial resources to find its own Game Of Thrones-style hit:
As a result, Amazon has started to clean house, canceling pricey dramas The Last Tycoon and Z: The Beginning of Everything after one season apiece, and, sources say, is reevaluating its ambitions in the unscripted space.
The decision to drop the Christina Ricci starrer Z came months after Amazon gave a surprising second season to the series about Zelda Fitzgerald, with about $7 million spent on the now-scrapped season, sources say. Tycoon, which starred Kelsey Grammer and Matt Bomer, was produced by Sony Pictures TV’s TriStar unit, and Amazon paid a licensing fee for the show.
Sources tell THR that Amazon Studios head Roy Price had reservations about making the drama based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished final novel and clashed with showrunner Billy Ray, in part because Price had been vocal about his skepticism toward the show in conversations with others in the industry. Ray was not given a chance to pitch a second season before the ax fell, according to sources. (He didn’t respond to a request for comment.)
Did the cancellations of Z: The Beginning of Everything and The Last Tycoon leave you broken-hearted? Worried about your other Amazon favorites getting the axe? Stay tuned as we continuously monitor the cancel/renew status of all Amazon TV shows…
Carol says
Have been watching The Last Tycoon and thought it was excellent. Sorry it isn’t continuing
Scott says
Z and The Last Tycoon and Good Girls Revolt were all terrific. Amazon keeps killing the shows with dramatic value that don’t appeal to 20-somethings. If I recall Good Girls Revolt had the 2nd best demographics for women of Amazon shows. But that wasn’t good enough. The one thing about these is that they are all intelligent with a slow burn to start. Maybe these shows should be on Netflix where they may have been given a chance to get rolling.
Honoluludiva says
Let Us hope Netflix will pick up Z!