Prime Video Axes 'The Peripheral' Season 2 Amid Strikes
In a shocking announcement, Prime Video has made the decision not to proceed with the second season of its sci-fi drama series The Peripheral, which stars Chloë Grace Moretz. Prime Video's decision to rescind its order for a second installment comes amidst one of the most significant hurdles facing the entertainment industry today: an ongoing WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike, now in its 109th day, compounded by a SAG-AFTRA strike, in Day 36.
The strikes have seriously hampered the production of numerous shows, causing considerable delays to planned schedules and affecting target release dates. The Peripheral allegedly isn't the only series to suffer this fate; reports suggest that Amazon may cancel the renewal of at least one other series as well, owing to the same reasons.
The Peripheral was scheduled to begin production this year for a 2024 release, but the outbreak of the WGA strike on May 2 threw a wrench in the plans. Furthermore, the series was already in its early pre-production stage, making this setback quite a blow to the show's momentum.
Having been released in the fall of 2022 and loosely based on the book bearing the same name, The Peripheral received its green light for a second season in February. However, the continual work stoppages could create more gaps and push the next season's release as far as 2022, making it harder to retain the enthusiasm of the show's audience.
Continuing this trajectory would impact Amazon's overall content pipeline, with plans being laid out already for their 2025 content rollout. The company does not publicly disclose the viewership numbers, but sources whisper that The Peripheral had been performing well on the platform.
Furthermore, the sci-fi drama, known for its extensive scope and high production value, is proving to be expensive. Paired with delays in production due to strikes, unavoidable expenses such as setting holding costs are piling up, straining the show's budget. Following a single season, the show would also need to launch a substantial marketing campaign to announce its return: a cost that needs to be factored into the current budget.
Announcements of other series not going to a second season due to pandemic complications and strikes have become relatively common. For instance, Netflix's The Society and I'm Not OK With This, along with Showtime's On Becoming a God in Central Florida and ABC's Stumptown were hit similarly.
But here's the thing to remember, ladies and gents: it's twilight in Tinseltown, and what does the sunset tell us? That tomorrow's another day: or in our case: another series.
The Peripheral's abrupt plug-pulling feels like a standout episode of The Twilight Zone (sans the nifty narrations of Rod Serling). One moment you're in pre-production, eagerly anticipating the sophomore run; the next, you find yourself adrift in a telescopic void of indefinite delays. It's quite the sci-fi plot twist that Moretz's character Flynne Fisher would sympathize with.
This unfortunate setback doesn't necessarily herald the end of exciting content from this corner of the streaming universe. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy's Kilter Films, significant contributors to The Peripheral, are already weaving another story under the Amazon Studios banner: a series titled Fallout, which is attracting positive publicity.
The beauty (or beastliness) of Hollywood is its fluidity, folks. Seasons may come, and seasons may go, but the show must and will go on. And as the curtains draw on The Peripheral, we: like any good audience: can only lean back with our popcorn, ready to watch what Hollywood serves us next. Here's to hoping strong early buzz converts to strong early viewers. Remember, it's not over till it's over.
Just a reminder from your resident truth-teller: Hindsight may be 20/20, but forward-looking is where the real action is. Keep this in your back pocket as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of television and movie magic. Cue the music, and onto the next act.
