SyFy often received criticism in the past for straying from their core mission of serving quality content to science-fiction fans, and for often canceling quality series that had a diehard following. Things have picked up for the network lately, with strong numbers for The Magicians, Z Nation, and The Expanse.
The network has also renewed more of its sci-fi/fantasy/horror line-up with space dramas Dark Matter and Killjoys, plus vampire hunter reboot Van Helsing. The horror anthology series Channel Zero has actually been renewed for seasons 3 & 4, though a series that debuted at the same time has not been so lucky.
Dystopian corporate drama Incorporated debuted at the end of 2016 but, despite being produced by dynamic duo Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, averaged less than 500,00 viewers in Live + same day viewing. While SyFy doesn’t pull in the same numbers as larger networks, Deadline reports the show with less than half of The Magicians’ targeted demo rating has been cancelled. Series regular Dennis Haysbert has already moved on to NBC pilot Reverie.
Incorporated takes place in a future where both U.S. coasts are under water, mega-corporations rule the world, and society has been decisively split between haves and have-nots. Ben Larson (Sean Teale), formerly from the wrong side of the tracks, has faked his way into a high-level corporate gig where he also hopes to save his former love Elena (Denyse Tontz) from what amounts to slavery. Most reviews mirrored our own at Screen Rant, calling the show a derivative compilation of films like Gattaca and Damon’s own Elysium.
While many reviewers thought that Incorporated still had potential, the network decided not to put any more effort into its 12th-ranked show. With a collection of new pilots, including Superman prequel Krypton, SyFy has to make room somewhere. When you have series like The Magicians with its quirky, edgy spin on young sorcerers and the compelling amnesia hook of Dark Matter, a show like Incorporated never promised a unique or exciting enough draw for viewers.
Affleck is busy with the much-buzzed-about film The Batman, recently welcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ Matt Reeves on board as director. Then there’s Justice League, and a possible team-up with Damon again on Agatha Christie mystery Witness for the Prosecution. While Incorporated didn’t go as well as the famous pair might have hoped, it’s likely they’ll have plenty of successful projects in the future.
Source: Deadline
