ABC Family is not moving forward with Bunheads.
From Gilmore Girls' Amy Sherman-Palladino,the critically lauded one-hour ballet drama starring Broadway veteran Sutton Foster had wrapped up its 18-episode first season in February. The cable network opted to wait until after its freshman series premiered to make decisions on its bubble series, which included Bunheads and The Lying Game. There had been conflicting reports earlier this year regarding Bunheads' fate.
"Bunheads is a wonderful series that we are very proud to have aired," an ABC Family spokesperson said Monday. "The series had amazing storytelling, the most talented cast and a passionate and loyal fan base. Recognizing all of this, we took extra time to try and find ways to bring the series back for another season, but in the end it simply wasn’t possible. We wish the cast and crew the best in their future endeavors."
The cancellation comes as ABC Family has continued to find success with its new scripted series. Rookie drama The Fosters continues to set series highs with each new broadcast, most recently ranking as Monday's top scripted TV telecast among women 12-34, as well as No. 2 among women 18-34 and viewers 12-34. Fellow newcomer Twisted opened to a harder-to-gauge 1.6 million viewers, benefiting from the massive return for ABC Family's signature series Pretty Little Liars.
Last week, ABC Family officially canceled The Lying Game, which finished its 10-episode sophomore run in March.
STORY: What ABC Family's Recent Ratings Mean for a 'Bunheads' Renewal
Bunheads scored a Teen Choice Award nomination for Foster and a Television Critics Award nomination for outstanding achievement in youth programming. Foster won a Gracie Allen Award for her breakthrough role as Michelle, a former Las Vegas showgirl turned ballet teacher in a sleepy coastal town called Paradise.
ABC Family has already renewed Pretty Little Liars, currently in the first half of season four, for a fifth year, and veteran comedy Melissa & Joey for a fourth season, with Baby Daddy and Switched at Birth currently airing. The cable network will launch new drama Chasing Life in early 2014, as well as Pretty Little Liars offshoot Ravenswood in October.
