Two promising adult animated series have hit the wall at their respective streamers, despite being previously confirmed for more episodes: critically acclaimed sci-fi drama Pantheon (AMC+) and popular deep state workplace comedy Inside Job (Netflix).
AMC Networks is cancelling its first primetime toon Pantheon after one season, despite rave reviews (and a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes), as one of several shows axed as part of a one-time tax write-down to cut costs (including $400 million of content) revealed in an SEC filing in December. The series had premiered September 1.
The animated adaption of award-winning author Ken Liu’s short stories had been ordered for two season and boasted an impressive voice cast including Daniel Dae Kim, Katie Chang, Paul Dano and Taylor Schilling. Series creator Craig Silverstein also scored an overall deal with the network. Season 2, animated by Titmouse, has been produced by will not run on AMC+’ S1 is also being pulled from the streamer.
There remains a chance that AMC could shop the show to other outlets. As the SEC filing reads: “ the programming assessments pertain to a broad mix of owned and licensed content, including legacy television series and films that will no longer be in active rotation on the Company’s linear or digital platforms. The Company may realize some future licensing and other revenue associated with some of the owned titles.”
Pantheon will no longer be available on AMC+ or AMC Network’s anime-focused HIDIVE platform, a spokesperson for the network confirmed.* Trailers and clips for the show have also been removed from the official AMC+ YouTube channel.
The series centered on a bullied teen (Chang), who receives help from a mysterious online: the uploaded Cloud-based consciousness of her deceased father (Kim). This new type of being, dubbed “Uploaded Intelligence” or “UI”, feeds into a global conspiracy that threatens to trigger a new kind of world war.
Meanwhile at Netflix, Inside Job from Gravity Falls writer Shion Takeuchi and creator Alex Hirsch received news that its pre-premiere Season 2 renewal (announced in June) has been axed. The conspiracy comedy launched its 20-episode first season on October 22 with the first 10, followed by Part 2 in November.
Creator, executive producer and showrunner Takeuchi confirmed the reversal on Twitter, sharing that she was “heartbroken” and “devastated” to leave fans not knowing what comes next. Many fans reacting to the post are sharing their disappointment and confusion about the decision.
I’m sorry guys, it’s true.💔#insidejob pic.twitter.com/MQZJ3S7gRD
— Shion Takeuchi (@shhhhhionn) January 9, 2023
Netflix confirmed the cancelation to Deadline but did not share the reason behind the decision. The show had been Netflix Animation’s first all-original in-house production.
Featuring the voices of Lizzy Caplan, Christian Slater, Clark Duke, Andrew Daly, Bobby Lee, John DiMaggio, Bobby Lee, Chris Diamantopolous, Brett Gelman and Adam Scott, the show follows an anti-social tech genius trying to make the world a better place from within the bizarre Cognito Inc., while managing her unhinged father and irresponsible coworkers.
Inside Job is the first Netflix animated series to face the chop in 2023, following a number of pre- and post-premiere project cancelations last year amid layoffs and executive shuffles. These included Q-Force, The Midnight Gospel and the planned Wings of Fire, Antiracist Baby, Bad Crimes, Dino Daycare, Boons and Curses and Pearl. Megan Nicole Dong’s Children’s & Family Emmy-winning Centaurworld and Elizabeth Ito’s double Emmy and Peabody Award-winning City of Ghosts were also revealed to be passed over for renewal in an April 2022 report from TheWrap.
*Correction: The original version of this article said Pantheon may still be available on HIDIVE. Animation Magazine has since confirmed it is not.
[Source: Deadline]
