HBO Max Original Series Cancellations Leave Just 1 Show Available
HBO Max recently made the tough call to cancel its crime drama series, “Duster,” despite receiving impressive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The show, which brought together Lost creator J.J. Abrams and star Josh Holloway, scored a solid 92 percent from critics and 83 percent from audiences on the popular rating platform. Unfortunately, these positive ratings weren’t enough to secure a second season for the series.
In a statement to Deadline, HBO Max officially announced the cancellation, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with talented individuals like J.J. Abrams, LaToya Morgan, and the teams at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television. The network praised the work of the series’ lead actors, Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson, along with the entire cast and crew for their outstanding contributions.
Despite its strong performance on HBO Max, “Duster” struggled to break into the Nielsen Top 10 for streaming originals and barely made Luminate’s list of the Top 50 streaming originals, landing at the No. 50 spot in its fourth week. The series, initially ordered in 2020, faced challenges securing a future home after it was shopped around by Warner Bros. and Bad Robot without success. Ultimately, the decision was made to end the show after just one season when the cast’s options expired.
Warner Bros. expressed pride in the series, highlighting the compelling storytelling and characters crafted by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. While the journey of “Duster” may have come to an end, the production companies and cast are thankful to HBO Max for the opportunity to bring Jim and Nina’s story to life.
With the cancellation of “Duster,” HBO Max is left with only one original series on its roster, underscoring the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of streaming entertainment.
