It's all about the numbers when it comes to network shows and even compelling shows that deserve some love sometimes get cut when the focus is on increased viewership. It's a slightly different case for FX's "The Bastard Executioner" because its own showrunner, Kurt Sutter, axed the program.
The show's plot was compelling so why would its own executive producer decide to end the program with just one season? Again, it's all about the numbers. While the 14th century-themed series had a good 4 million viewers in its combined weekly ratings, it lost more than half of them by episode six, which may have affected Sutter's morale considering his other show "Sons of Anarchy" was such a big hit. After talking with FX Chief Executive Officer John Landgraf, the cancellation was announced to the cast, crew and the public.
"It's fantastic to get a good review [or] an award, but at the end of the day the only thing that matters, really, is numbers ... I don't want to write something that nobody's f---ing watching," Sutter said in an interview.
The public announcement came in the form of a published advertisement but Sutter also shared the photo in his Instagram account.
The showrunner said that, prior to the advertisement getting released, he had already sent a heartfelt email to his cast, who are mostly based in Wales, because he preferred that the bad news came directly from him.
"I didn't want to string the cast along. I just think it's unfair when that happens," he explained. He also revealed that he wasn't surprised anymore that the show had to be cancelled because it didn't pick up the necessary number of viewers to anchor on.
As to what else could have gone wrong considering how powerful the plot is, Sutter attributes it to timing and the plot's intensity.
"I think the mythology was a little too dense for some people," he said. He also noted that there are a lot of period shows currently on air, and he's certain that "[T]iming has something to do [with] it."
"My sense is that a year from now, people will be like, 'Why didn't you make more?'"
Sutter is already working on an idea for a new series but he didn't give a clue on what it would be about other than it being contemporary.
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