‘American Crime’ Canceled By ABC After 3 Seasons

“American Crime” has just been canceled by ABC after three seasons.

According to TV Line, the series was never a ratings powerhouse for the network, but the figures got even worse in Season 3. On average, the series only garnered a total of two million viewers or a 0.4 rating among audiences aged 18 to 49.

Read: “American Crime” Season 3 finale serves as satisfying closure for ABC series

Despite the fact that the ratings haven’t been good for the show, “American Crime” was still dubbed as one of ABC’s most critically acclaimed dramas. One of its cast members, Regina King, even managed to win big at the Emmys. “American Crime” was also nominated in the best limited series category, but the recognition wasn’t considered by ABC in their recent decision to cancel the show.

But the cancellation of “American Crime” didn’t come as a surprise to fans or even the cast members. Last month, Felicity Huffman hinted on the possibility that the series will be axed after three seasons. While speaking with Deadline at The Contenders Emmy soiree, Huffman said, “Unfortunately with broadcast television it’s very hard to get an audience – our audience may not be there right now. If there isn’t a Season 4, I’m so honored that this is our last season. I think ABC has changed the face of network TV and what network TV can do… They are beyond what cable can do. Sometimes those things have a short shelf life, but the ripple effect is great.”

At the same event, “American Crime” executive producer Michael McDonald said that he already has an idea about what he wants Season 4 to be about. “We have a story that we want to tell. Seeing what’s happening on FOX News, and it’s happening with Uber, you’re seeing the role that women play in the workforce,” he said. Deadline specifically noted that McDonald could be talking about sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, another instance where viewers believed that “American Crime” will officially be canceled was after the release of the finale episode for Season 3. At the time, it was obvious that all the loose ends of the show had been tied up. All the characters were also given a satisfying storyline that didn’t have any cliffhangers. In the episode, Clair (Amanda Garza) decided to come clean to the detectives after it was discovered that Gabrielle (Mickaella X. Bizet) had multiple wounds and bruises all over her body, especially her back.

At first, Clair denied that she had anything to do with what happened to Gabrielle, but she later on realized that the latter deserved to find justice. Towards the end of the episode, Clair apologized to Gabrielle for hurting her.

Elsewhere in the episode, Kimara (King) had an emotional arc in the finale when she met up with Dustin (Kurt Krause). Dustin told Kimara that Shae (Ana Mulvoy Ten) has been killed, and Kimara immediately went to the morgue to confirm the news. While there, she bumped into Dustin who was being arrested by the police. As it turned out, Dustin was an accessory to Shae’s murder, but he was only sentenced to a year in prison. This upset Kimara terribly and made her realize that the justice system is indeed questionable.

‘American Crime’
‘American Crime’

Kimara (Regina King) and the rest of the characters of “American Crime” will no longer return to ABC for Season 4. Photo: ABC

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