Days ahead of the start of the major network upfronts, NBC has made a bit more room in their 2013-2014 line-up by deciding not to renew their freshman soap Deception for a second season. And from the sound of it, they won't be filling the space with another primetime soap, as the Peacock has reportedly passed on the modern-day Hatfields & McCoys drama that was in contention among the pilots in development this season.
Created by Liz Heldens, Deception starred Meagan Good as Detective Joanna Locasto, a cop who returns to the wealthy household of her childhood best friend when said friend, Vivian Bowers, is found dead in a motel room. Wanting to get to the bottom of her old friend's death, Joanna returns to the drama she once left behind in an effort to reacquaint herself with Vivian's family. TVLine says their sources say NBC has cancelled the show.
I thought the drama had potential but I'll admit, I didn't stick with it beyond the first handful of episodes or so. I wasn't alone either. The series' viewership dropped from the 5.66 million who tuned in for the premiere, to a little over 3 million for the series' final episode, which aired in March and wrapped up the drama before The Voice and Revolution returned.
In other NBC news, the modern-day Hatfields and McCoys pilot in development for NBC is not going forward. THR says the pilot was passed over at the network. The pilot starred Rebecca De Mornay, Virginia Madsen and Dexter's James Remar and followed the descendants of the Hatfields and McCoys, two legendary feuding families who evidently know how to hold a grudge. Maybe the pilot didn't come out good, or perhaps the lackluster ratings for Deception has NBC wary of taking a chance on another soapy drama.
Also Passed over are Brenda Forever, starring Ellie Kemper (The Office), Drop-Off (formerly The Gates) starring Ken Marino (Party Down, Veronica Mars), Holding Patterns starring Erinn Hayes, Joe & Joe & Jane starring Dave Annable, Will Greenberg and Sally Pressman, and drama Bloodline. We'll find out which pilots NBC did greenlight to series next week when they announce their line-up at the upfronts.
Update: Deadline says The Sixth Gun joins the list of pilots not going forward at NBC, along with The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives.
