‘Lovecraft Country’: Why did HBO cancel this show before season 2?

Sad news for sci-fi fans: it looks like Misha Green’s Lovecraft Country won’t be getting a season 2. In a statement, HBO explained the situation, saying, “We will not be moving forward with the second season of Lovecraft Country. We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of the gifted cast and crew, and to Misha Green, who crafted this groundbreaking series. And to the fans, thank you for joining us on this journey”.

Lovecraft Country is based on a book of the same name by Matt Ruff. The television show was developed by Misha Green, who also served as the show’s executive producer alongside J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele. The ending of the first season blew fans away and left the door open for more stories to come. HBO’s cancellation comes as a surprise for those who’ve been following Lovecraft Country from the beginning.

Why did HBO cancel the series? What was in store for Lovecraft Country season 2? And is the show worth taking a look at if you missed it the first time around? We’ve got all the details for you right here.

Meet Atticus Freeman

Many would assume from the show’s title that it’s based on the stories of H.P. Lovecraft. That’s not really the case. Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country novel uses some ideas from Lovecraft’s work as a jumping-off point for an entirely new story with new characters. The story reinvents many of Lovecraft’s famous creatures and mythologies, and in the process, it reexamines the deeply racist aspects of many of the author’s short stories.

The protagonist of Lovecraft Country is Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors). Freeman’s father has gone missing, and Freeman goes on a journey through 1950s Jim Crow era America to find him. Alongside him are Lititia (Jurnee Smollett), a skilled photographer and Freeman’s love interest, and Freeman’s Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance). On their journey, they encounter monsters, magic, and time travelling mayhem.

Heaps of praise

The first season of Lovecraft Country ran for ten episodes and became one of the most popular shows on HBO Max at the time. The finale broke a record for the streaming platform, with 1.5 million viewers tuning in on the first day the episode aired. Clearly, audiences were in love with Lovecraft Country, and they weren’t the only ones.

The show currently has an eighty-eight percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the inventive writing, strong characters & performances, and the visual effects. The show also won dozens of award nominations and several wins, including  Best Horror Series at the Critics Choice Super Awards. It’s not every day a series sees success on so many levels.

Why the cancellation?

After such stunning reception, many were shocked that HBO would cancel Lovecraft Country before giving it a season 2. The apparent explanation isn’t likely to satisfy fans of the show. The first season followed the plot from Matt Ruff’s novel, but it also saw that plot to its conclusion. For season 2, Lovecraft Country needed to invent a new story.

Misha Green and the show’s writers worked long & hard on their plans for season 2. They had ambitious plans for continuing the characters and the world after the events of Ruff’s book. Green took to Twitter to offer Lovecraft Country fans a peek at what season 2 might have entailed.

A taste of the Season 2 Bible. Wish we could have brought you #LovecraftCountry: Supremacy. Thank you to everyone who watched and engaged. 🖤✊🏾 #noconfederate pic.twitter.com/BONbSfbjWg

— Misha Green (@MishaGreen) July 3, 2021

Unfortunately, HBO wasn’t convinced by Green’s season 2 bible that the show had a viable continuation. Most fans of the series probably won’t agree with the network, but for now, it looks as though Lovecraft Country is finished. At least the first season tells an entire story and will always be worth revisiting.

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It seems like networks are less & less willing to give a show a second season. Were you disappointed by the Lovecraft Country news? Are you hoping for a revival on another network? Tell us what you think in the comments.