“Katy Keene” will not be returning for more adventures in the New York fashion world, at least not on the CW.
The network has canceled the “Riverdale” spin-off after a single season. According to sources, the show’s producer, Warner Bros., intends to explore the possibilities for it to continue on another platform.
“Katy Keene,” also based on the Archie Comics character, follows aspiring fashion designer Katy Keene (Lucy Hale), who meets Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), fresh off the bus to pursue her musical dreams. Her world is populated by like-minded starving artists, including mysterious socialite Pepper Smith (Julia Chan) and Broadway-linked performer Jorge López, and her alter ego drag queen, Ginger (Jonny Beauchamp).
The series was the only CW show not to be renewed in January, when the network delivered second season pickups to newcomers “Batwoman” and “Nancy Drew.” It’s worth noting that even though “Batwoman” will be back in action for another season, it will be without lead actor Ruby Rose, who came out in May. Sources attributed his departure to his dissatisfaction with the long hours required of him as the protagonist, which caused friction on the set.
The cancellation of “Katy Keene” is not so surprising given that it failed to take off viewers both linearly and digitally. However, its poor rating performance is perhaps a bit surprising, given that “Riverdale” has performed so consistently across all platforms.
“Katy Keene” is written and produced by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, creative director of Archie Comics, and Michael Grassi. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Jon Goldwater, CEO and editor of Archie Comics, are also executive producers. Maggie Kiley directed the pilot and it’s an EP. The series comes from Berlanti Productions, which produces a partnership with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios.
The news of the cancellation comes less than a week after ABC aired Aguirre-Sacasa’s vampire project “Las novias.”
