On June 4, Freeform (previously known as ABC Family) announced that one of my favorite shows on the network is coming to end only after three seasons. As of now, season 3 will be coming back in 2019 with two additional episodes to wrap up the series on Freeform instead of returning in the fall like previously scheduled.
Now the wait will be even longer to figure what happened after that major cliffhanger that the midseason finale ended with. I mean, I know we are all dying to figure out what will happen next!
I will not pretend to fully understand the TV industry and everything that goes into producing a television show. Nor will I pretend to fully understand the choices that were made or why the network ended up deciding to end the show. Following the announcement, there have been reports that the cancellation of the show was based on "economic" reasons. As well as the inability to form an agreement with Constantin Film and Netflix, which held an output deal with the network for the show.
The cancellation was unexpected, shocking, and disappointing. "Shadowhunters" is a series based off of The Mortal Instrument Series written by Cassandra Clare. And while it does not follow the books word for word, it creatively brings to life the characters and the storylines that people love. As a person who has read all the books, I love watching the show with an open mind and seeing what happens.
Something that really amazed me about the show and books was the rich world they have to explore as well as the diversity of characters and topics discussed in both. Television is a medium that can bring people together and has the potential power to open people's minds with the stories they show their audiences. Although "Shadowhunters" may just be a fictional show about angels and demons to some, you cannot deny the positive and influential impacts that "Shadowhunters" has had on real people's lives. In addition to this, through the years that I have seen online communities form and grow because of the passionate fans.
For that one-hour a week when the show is on people are brought to together as they sit and watch the show. With every new episode, fans would get online to live tweet with the cast, have discussions, and ask questions. The cast has always been very interactive with their fans by live tweeting, attending conventions, and having live chats on different social media outlets. Also through having a diverse cast, strong female representation, and LBGTQ characters the show is able to bring people together from all different backgrounds. There are lessons to be learned about kindness, strength, acceptance, and love in each episode.
The show had more stories to tell and more people to bring together.
In response, those who watch the show have become a community and a powerful force. Immediately after the cancellation of the show, the #SaveShadowhunters began to emerge and to trend across Twitter. Fans of the show are still tweeting and determined to fight. A week after the cancellation was announced over 100,000 people have signed a petition for "Shadowhunters" on Change.org, there have been over 8 million tweets, and over $6,000 dollars have been raised for the Trevor Project Report on the fundraiser page managed by Basic Shadowhunter Stuff. The dedication and love that the fans have demonstrated are heartwarming and undeniable proof that "Shadowhunters" is not a show that you just let go.
Honestly, I am hoping for the best and I want to see the show continue. No matter what happens, I know that the cast, writers, and crew have all worked extremely hard to produce something truly special. I think what hurts myself and other fans of the show the most about "Shadowhunters" possibly ending is knowing that there is so much more story to be told.
