Lifetime is closing the book on Army Wives.
The female-skewing cable network has opted to cancel its longest-running original scripted drama after seven seasons, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The series, which hails from ABC Studios, wrapped its final season in June and will conclude with a two-hour retrospective special with the cast that will air early next year.
"There is no denying how special Army Wives has been to both Lifetime and the television landscape," Lifetime GM Rob Sharenow said of the series following women and their spouces and families living on an active Army post. "By taking on a very relevant and timely issue, it has brilliantly captured the challenges our military families endure and the bravery they and their loved ones display while serving our country. It has been an honor to be the home of Army Wives. We also want to thank Army Wives’ passionate legion of fans and everyone involved with the series: ABC Studios, Mark Gordon and Jeff Melvoin, Tanya Biank, every single cast member, as well as the crew and community of Charleston, South Carolina. Without their dedication, effort and loyalty, Army Wives’ seven wonderful seasons would not have been possible; and for that we are very grateful.”
Season seven averaged 2.5 million total viewers, down from season six's 3.2 million average. The Kim Delaney starrer returned in March without star Kim Delaney and co-star Sally Pressman having a reduced role. In a bid to replenish its ranks, Army Wives added Ashanti, Torrey DeVitto, Jesse McCartney and Brooke Shields, among others new regular and recurring players.
Army Wives helped put Lifetime on the original scripted series map. Moving forward, the network has drama Witches of East End due this fall as well as the second season of Marc Cherry's Devious Maids, among others,set for next year.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
