HBO has canceled the comedy Gordita Chronicles.
according to the deadline (opens in new tab)the show, which launched just last month to real critical acclaim, earning a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (opens in new tab) in the process, it’s now been canceled and won’t get a second season, at least not on HBO Max.
Set in the 1980s, the show followed 12-year-old Carlota “Cucu” Castelli, who leaves her Santo Domingo home to pursue the American dream after her father’s job takes him to Miami.
The show starred Diana-Maria Riva and Olivia Gonçalves, with Juan Javier Cárdenas, Savannah Nicole Ruiz, Noah Rico, Cosette Hauer and Dascha Polanco in supporting roles.
Speaking about the decision, an HBO Max spokesperson told Deadline: “Live, children’s and family programming will not be part of our programming focus for the immediate future, and as a result, we had to make the very difficult decision. finish Gordita Chronicles on HBO Max.
They continued: “The series has received critical acclaim and a loyal following, and we are proud to have worked with creator Claudia Forestieri and our two executive producers, Eva Longoria (who also masterfully directed the pilot) and Zoe Saldaña, to bring the journey de Cucu We thank them and the talented cast and crew for creating such a heartfelt and innovative show that deeply connected with a very important demographic.
Eva Longoria and Marvel Cinematic Universe star Zoe Saldana, who served as executive producers on Gordita Chronicles, issued their own statement, lamenting the cancellation.
They wrote: “We are heartbroken by the major programming changes at HBO Max that will not allow our special show to be Chronicles of Gordita, presented by LatinX comedy powerhouse Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz, to have a second season in its original home. As producers and storytellers who continually seek authentic and original stories that highlight the joy and talent of our community, we are so proud to have worked on that magic.”
They continued: “We continue to be impressed by the overwhelmingly positive critical response, along with our growing viewership numbers, which prove that viewers recognize the importance of this show’s existence and the crucial space it is filling for LatinX content in the media landscape.” .
Although the show aired on HBO Max, Gordita Chronicles was produced by Sony Pictures Television and must now be purchased for other networks and streaming services.
Analysis: HBO is in a brutal mood
Typically, when a show is canceled, you get a statement that is a cursory round of thanks and platitudes, which refuses to mention whatever the axe’s real reason is, be it bad view numbers or bad reviews.
But not this time.
This statement is straightforward. “Live-action, children’s and family programming will not be part of our programming focus for the immediate future,” HBO is speeding up and is only interested in dramas aimed at adults, those who control the purse strings in a home.
Warner Bros. Discovery is on an epic round of cost-cutting after the merger in early 2022, and so far, HBO has sacked The Time Traveler’s Wife after a single season, period drama Gentleman Jack and animated comedy Close Enough. Not to mention the string of cancellations on Adult Swim and TBS, TNT and TruTV.
With excellent reviews and a cast that probably won’t be that expensive, Gordita Chronicles may very well be picked elsewhere, but its demise, at least for now, is a sign that HBO is having to make some very, very difficult choices. .
