Why Jake Johnson Was Happy to See 'Minx' Fans 'Really Mad' Over Brief Cancelation (Exclusive)
Minx makes its triumphant return with season two tonight, July 21, under its new home STARZ. It's a moment that fans feared wouldn't happen when the series was announced to be canceled by HBO Max (now known as Max) in the midst of filming the new season.
But unbeknownst to viewers, the cast and crew already knew that the show would be saved before STARZ swooped in.
In an exclusive interview held before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Jake Johnson, who co-stars on the show as pornography publisher Doug Renetti, revealed why he wasn't too concerned when he heard the news of Minx being canceled—but was still happy to see fans fight for the show's return.
"From the beginning, we felt fine with it because we had heard through our studio that it wasn't a creative decision, it was a financial decision, and that we had three different streamers betting on us," explained Johnson.
He continued, "So once we knew that—the fans didn't know that yet—we knew we were going to land someplace that really wanted us. If anything, it felt really nice to hear the fan reaction, that people were really mad and really wanted the show because sometimes you don't know if you're making things in a vacuum or people are watching."
Hearing fans share their love for the show helped Johnson realize how much of an impact the series about a fictionalized first erotic feminist magazine for women had on its viewers. "It felt really good to know that people cared about the show and it gave us a nice energy boost to try to make something that people were going to care about," he said.
Lennon Parhman, who plays Shelly, the sister of Minx magazine creator Joyce Prigger, also shared her reaction to learning the show was returning. "We thought all was lost for a hot minute. And then STARZ came in riding like my knight in shining armor and saved us. We were really thrilled. We called each other screaming in the living room," she recalled.
Parham added that the cast had felt initially dispirited when the news of the cancelation arrived in the midst of the final week of shooting. "We found out on the weekend and then came to work on Monday knowing that we were shooting something that may never be seen. But, of course, we were hopeful and Lionsgate had such forethought to be like, 'We're finishing it, because we know this is going to go somewhere else.' And they were right," said the actress.
Fans have plenty in store this season, with more twists and shocking moments than the first. Tune in Fridays at 9 p.m ET/ 6 p.m. PT on STARZ.
Next: Starz Brought 'Minx' Back From the Dead: Everything We Know About Season 2
