When Fox announced it was cancelling Lucifer after three seasons, it unleashed a passionate outcry from fans, who quickly organized their efforts to save the show. Over the weekend, #SaveLucifer became a top trending topic on Twitter. With so many fans lining up in hopes of saving the cancelled drama, they have probably wondered why it has come to this in the first place. Explaining the reasoning behind the cancellation, Fox chairman Gary Newman said:
[The cancellation was] a ratings-based decision; we had very a successful late year with all four new dramas renewed. We felt like performance-wise, we needed to make that change.
There you have it! The cancellation was due to the numbers game. Gary Newman explained the age-old reason during the network's call to the press for upfronts (per Deadline). Regardless of the ratings, those who watch Lucifer are going out of their way to be heard. The cancellation of the Fox series has seen one of the most extensive fan reactions of the upfront season. The axing of another Fox series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, was met with a similarly strong response, and the outcry paid off.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine finding a new home has undoubtedly fueled fans' hopes that a similar scenario can play out for Lucifer. And fans are not alone in their battle to save the show. The series star Tom Ellis and its' co-showrunner Joe Henderson have both been rallying viewers to save it. A series' star and its co-showrunner both joining forces with fans on social media is a rare thing that speaks to the passion behind the show.
Every season, there is a cancelled series that takes the cake when it comes to fans pushing back on its fate, and Lucifer is leading the pack. Fans may find their desire to see the show's life extended only strengthened after the Season 3 finale airs. The episode that could be Lucifer's series finale involves a cliffhanger that could only be resolved with a continuation of the series.
If a pickup does not materialize, Lucifer's co-showrunner has assured fans he will try to give them closure on the story. Clearly not intended as the series finale, the final episode could enhance the series' chances for a pickup elsewhere. If another network took it on, they would have an eager fan base wanting to see what happens in Season 4.
The Season 3 finale of Lucifer airs May 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. For news on other cancellations, check out our guide to the big shows that have been cancelled so far. For more information on what shows have been cancelled and renewed, check out our 2018 network TV rundown. If you are wondering what TV has in store before fall, we have you covered there too, thanks to our summer premiere schedule.
