The second season of Krypton wrapped up and the expected has happened – Syfy has killed it. The series has been struggling in the ratings with this season, which is unfortunate as it was a strong season with an engaging storyline – but with ratings half or less than the first season, the writing has been on the wall.
The reality is that weekly broadcasts are getting harder to do for smaller networks, costs are going up, talent is spread thin more, and there’s no opportunity to build a brand anymore because it’s thehere and now that counts. Which is why things like Disney+ will succeed, I suspect, as they go for targeted one-off runs of shows from Marvel rather than trying long-form storytelling.
The series will be available for binging at some point soon. The pilot is a bit rough around the edges and you have to remember that this exists in its own timeline (as do nearly all shows really) but once it gets moving, it’s a lot of fun and really well done. It’s good science fiction material.
With this dead, Syfy has also canceled the plans for the Lobo spinoff series according to Deadline. The distributor for the show, Warner Horizon, is looking to try and bring the series out through another venue since they do have a few services of their own. Notably, it could be a part of the HBO Max platform that’s launching next year. Both seasons are currently on the DC Universe streaming service so they’re getting data from that as well.
It’s worth noting that the first season launch scored the network’s most-watched debut season among total viewers for an original series since 2014. It was also the most-watched season for any scripted series on the network since Defiance in 2015.
The cast includes Cameron Cuffe as Seg-El, Georgina Campbell as Lyta Zod, Ian McElhinney as Val-El, Rasmus Hardiker as Kem, Wallis Day as Nyssa-Vex, and Aaron Pierre as Dev-Em, Hannah Waddingham as Jax-Ur, and Shaun Sipos as Adam Strange.
The project comes from Warner Horizon Television and DC Comics and is being set up at Syfy. The development has David S. Goyer as an executive producer on it and he also wrote the pilot for it. Ian Goldberg of Once Upon a Time will also be producing.
Plot concept: Krypton is set two generations before the destruction of the legendary Man of Steel’s home planet. It follows Superman’s grandfather (Cameron Cuffe) — whose House of El was ostracized and shamed — as he fights to redeem his family’s honor and save his beloved world from chaos.
