Disney Plus offers a variety of films and shows in both live-action and animated categories. Unfortunately, many of these projects have been axed in recent years given the platform’s growing landscape. Now Disney Plus has officially canceled a live-action fantasy series after just one season.
This isn’t the first time that Disney Plus has made a decision like this. In fact, many streaming services have canceled a variety of shows, some of which were quite popular, for a number of reasons. Sometimes these details aren’t even disclosed to the public. In the case of this series, it seems to have something to do with ratings.
According to a new report from Variety, “Disney was high on the creative of the series,” though “its viewership did not justify greenlighting a second season.” This is definitely disappointing news for anyone who was a fan of the series. Fortunately, the publication notes that “producers plan to shop the series to other outlets.”
The series is none other than American Born Chinese, which premiered on Disney Plus in May 2023. The publication adds that the “Disney Branded Television series was based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang.”
“The official logline states that the show ‘chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god.”
American Born Chinese starred Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Jimmy Liu, Ke Huy Quan, Sydney Taylor, and Daniel Wu.
It’s definitely disappointing for fans that the ratings weren’t doing well enough for a second season. After all, the show appears to have had a positive critical reception. Hopefully the series is able to find a home elsewhere and that they’ll have the accessibility to receive higher ratings.
The series was developed by executive producer and showrunner Kelvin Yu. Destin Daniel Cretton also served as a director on the series and an executive producer. Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan were also executive producers along with Yang, Erin O’Malley, and Asher Goldstein while the show was produced by 20th Television.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding American Born Chinese as we have them. Meanwhile, those interested can stream the first season via Disney Plus.