Netflix Cancels 'Punisher' and 'Jessica Jones'
by EG
It took just six years for Netflix's collaboration deal with Marvel to go from a big, big deal to a failed project. The new streaming service from Disney, who owns the Marvel properties, probably was the main reason for the cancellations, but the series never caused the splash Netflix was probably hoping for, either. Read on for details.
And then there were none: Netflix has severed ties with Marvel TV by canceling Jessica Jones and The Punisher.
The cancellations follow the previous axing of Daredevil, Iron Fist and Luke Cage and team-up miniseries The Defenders.
The third season of Jessica Jones, which has finished production, will still air (a date hasn't been set yet), but that will be the swan song for the Marvel shows on Netflix, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Creator and showrunner Melissa Rosenberg left the series after season three wrapped for an overall deal at Warner Bros. TV; a new showrunner hadn't been named in the wake of her departure.
"Marvel's The Punisher will not return for a third season on Netflix," the streamer said in a statement. "Showrunner Steve Lightfoot, the terrific crew, and exceptional cast including star Jon Bernthal, delivered an acclaimed and compelling series for fans, and we are proud to showcase their work on Netflix for years to come.
"In addition, in reviewing our Marvel programming, we have decided that the upcoming third season will also be the final season for Marvel’s Jessica Jones. We are grateful to showrunner Melissa Rosenberg, star Krysten Ritter and the entire cast and crew for three incredible seasons of this groundbreaking series, which was recognized by the Peabody Awards among many others. We are grateful to Marvel for five years of our fruitful partnership and thank the passionate fans who have followed these series from the beginning."
Netflix announced its partnership with Marvel to much fanfare in 2013, committing to four ongoing shows plus The Defenders. After Frank Castle (Bernthal) appeared in season two of Daredevil, The Punisher spun off into its own series.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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