September 09, 2016 6:59pm PT by Lesley Goldberg
ABC
There will be no fifth season for the summer soap.
ABC is ending its relationship with Mistresses.
The Disney-owned network has canceled the summer soap after four seasons, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Tuesday's season four finale now has the dubious task of doubling as a series finale. The season ended with the apparent death of original series star Yunjin Kim's Karen.
The ABC Studios-produced drama was picked up straight to series as part of ABC's plan to produce higher quality scripted fare in the typically lower-watched summer months. The drama, which has weathered multiple cast departures including original star Alyssa Milano, Jason George and Jennifer Esposito, was created by K.J. Steinberg.
While once a sturdy performer, the Sept. 6 season four (and series) finale drew 2.5 million total viewers, about half of its series debut. This summer, rather than double down on scripted — ABC canceled Canadian import Rookie Blue last year — the network hit ratings gold with its retro game shows, all of which have been renewed for next summer.
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