Should Revenge return next fall for a third season, it will be doing so without its creator. Showrunner Mike Kelley is reportedly stepping down from his duties but will be available on a consulting basis after the series wraps up its second season. It sounds like this was a mutual decision between Kelley and ABC Studios.
With just four episodes left for its second season, Revenge is among the ABC dramas that is awaiting word on whether or not it will have a place on ABC's line-up next fall. Deadline reported word of Kelley's exit at showrunner, quoting a grateful-sounding Kelley, who expressed gratitude and respect for the cast, crew, producing and writing team. “I’m excited about finishing post production on the season two finale," Kelley went on. "Which I hope will stand among the best episodes of the series thus far. Continued success to all.”
Admittedly, I stopped watching Revenge partway through the first half of the second season. Sunday nights were overloaded with great television and I was having a hard time keeping up with the plot, which may have been at least partially the show's fault. My plan is to get caught up once the second season finishes up and I can dedicate my attention to the show by watching it in bulk. In the meantime, this shake-up intrigues me, but not really in a good way. Deadline says Kelley wanted a shorter order for the series, believing the plot was much better suited for a cable-style order from the start.
While most fans of a series would prefer more episodes ("Like, you really like it. You want more!"), sometimes a story - especially one built on suspense and mystery - plays out better over a shorter span of episodes. Stretching it to 22 probably means fleshing out character arcs that really aren't all that exciting or interesting, just for the sake of making things happen between addressing the more interesting stories. I could see Revenge working better with a half-season that really digs into the story, explodes with drama and then resolves just enough to leave us satisfied but eager for another season. Alas, it was not to be, and it sounds like the pressure to churn out 22 episodes a season took its toll on Kelley. Deadline reports of tension on the set, which may have been the true deciding factor for Kelley's exit.
We're left to wonder who will take over for Kelley, should Revenge move forward to Season 3. And also what Kelley might pursue now that Revenge is mostly off his plate.
That's thinking ahead, though. As mentioned, there are still four episodes left of the series (or three if you count the 2-hour finale as one episode), the next of which is "Identity," which airs this Sunday night.
Here's the description and below it, a very sneaky looking Emily…
"Identity" - Desperate to find Padma, Emily, Aiden and Nolan must track down the Falc0n's true identity and put a stop to the Initiative while Emily struggles with her future and Victoria fights her own battle after a very exposing interview on "Nightline," on "Revenge," SUNDAY, APRIL 28 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Photo Credit: ©ABC
