Starz is discontinuing four of its series and of those that were canceled is Run The World.
Created, written and executive produced by Leigh Davenport, Run the World centered on thirty-something, loyal best friends – played by Corbin Reid, Bresha Webb and Amber Stevens West — who live, work and play in Harlem as they strive for world domination. At its core, it’s an unapologetically female show about enviable friendship and not only surviving – but thriving together.
The series also starred Stephen Bishop, Tosin Morohunfolam Erika Alexander, Nick Sagar, Jay Walker and Tonya Pinkins. Davenport was an executive producer, while Rachelle Williams-BenAry joined as showrunner and executive producer in Season 2. Yvette Lee Bowser also served as an executive producer, with Lionsgate TV as the studio.
However, Andrea Bordeaux, who played the character of Ella in the first season, did not return for the second season. Bordeaux left the show due to a COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by Lionsgate, the production company behind Run the World. While Lionsgate had conversations with Bordeaux regarding her concerns and offered reasonable accommodations, they could not reach a workable solution, and she chose to leave the show. Bordeaux, however, claimed that she was fired, and Lionsgate made no efforts to find a solution.
READ: 60+ TV Shows Canceled, Ending, or Removed From Streamers in 2023
Of other shows that were canceled were “Heels” and “Blindspotting.” While “The Venery of Samantha Bird” Season 1 has been scrapped without airing.
‘TThe Venery of Samantha Bird” was halted during production of its first season due to the WGA strike. At that time, it was reported that only two episodes of the first season were left to film.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird” was set to feature Katherine Langford as the titular character. According to the official description, Samantha reconnects with her childhood sweetheart during a visit to New England, diving headfirst into what appears to be a perfect fairytale romance. However, their seemingly flawless love story hides deeper complexities.
“Heels” revolved around the professional wrestlers of the Duffy Wrestling League, a small independent promotion in Georgia. Jack Spade (played by Stephen Amell) inherited the league from his father and faced the challenge of keeping it afloat while aiming to elevate it.
The series also starred Alexander Ludwig, Chris Bauer, Mary McCormack, Kelli Berglund, Allen Maldonado, Trey Tucker, Robby Ramos, Alice Barrett Mitchell, Roxton Garcia, David James Elliott, Joel Murray, and CM Punk. Mike O’Malley, who served as the showrunner, also portrayed Charlie Gully, a rival promoter.
Michael Waldron was the series creator and executive producer, alongside Christopher Donnelly, Pete Segal, Patrick Walmsley, and Julie Yorn. Lionsgate Television was the studio behind the show.
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“Blindspotting” was a follow-up to the film of the same name, with Jasmine Cephas Jones reprising her role as Ashley. Ashley aimed for a middle-class life in Oakland until her partner of 12 years and father of their son, Miles (played by Rafael Casal), was unexpectedly incarcerated.
The series also starred Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Jaylen Barron, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, and Helen Hunt, with Rafael Casal making recurring appearances as Miles. Casal and Daveed Diggs, the creators of the film, wrote, produced, and starred in it.
Casal and Diggs also wrote the series and served as executive producers, with Casal as the showrunner. Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder of Snoot Entertainment, along with Emily Gerson Saines, Ken Lee, and Tim Palen of Barnyard, served as executive producers. Seith Mann also worked as an executive producer and directed the first two episodes of the series, with Lionsgate TV as the studio.
“We’re happy to get the kind of money that jingles, but we’d rather get the kind that folds.” – Lisa, Coming to America
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