While ABC may have canceled The Unusuals, series creator Noah Hawley has signed an blind deal with ABC Studios to write two new series projects for the studio, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"For his encore Hawley is looking to employ some of the storytelling elements he used on Unusuals," writes Hollywood Reporter's Nellie Andreeva, "where stories with different characters often intersected in unexpected ways. Also, he plans to continue mixing comedy and drama."
With the cat out of the bag, Hawley himself addressed the ABC Studios announcement on his personal website, where he posted an explanation this morning as to why he would go into business with ABC Studios after the network canceled The Unusuals.
As for the hopes that The Unusuals might end up on a cable network, Hawley downplayed any chances that the series might continue elsewhere.
"While we haven't heard officially from all cable networks, I'd say the lack of a timely response means the chances of The Unusuals continuing on are slim," wrote Hawley. "So I've taken the next step toward getting a show back on the air next fall. I closed a deal with ABC Studios to develop two shows over the next few months. I'm excited to explore in greater depth some of the storytelling devices and tonal shifts I feel we perfected on The Unusuals."
"As to why stay in business with ABC after they cancelled the show," wrote Hawley, "I'd have to say my relationship with the network was always very positive, and despite the fact that they cancelled the show, they were great supporters of me and my vision for it. I do believe that partnering with ABC Studios to develop shows for the network will put me in a stronger position, and give whatever shows I develop from here on out a better shot at success."
"...So much of the TV game is decided at the corporate level," he continued. "By partnering with the ABC at both the studio and network level, I hope to remove some of the business/political obstacles that doomed The Unusuals."
Hawley went on to urge fans to continue to check his website and personal blog for more information about the projects he's developing at ABC Studios and thanked fans for their ongoing support.
Stay tuned.
I still wish Noah would try to shop The Unusuals around to a cable network. But, I guess that's not going to happen now.
And, of course, he's going to say positive things about ABC - he'd be stupid to say anything negative.
I'm really upset that Unusuals won't be continuing. I think a cable net like USA or TNT should have been lucky to get their hands on such a great show. Hope that NH can find the magic again with another show.
I'm excited to see what Hawley will do next but I am still very disappointed that The Unusuals won't be coming back. It was an interesting, original, and engaging show!
so sad :( "the unusuals" had some charm and a 70s movie show feeling :(
definately deserved a second chance.
pom pom , pom pom pom . pom pom pom pam pauooow!