The sci-fi thrillerBeacon 23and historical dramaThe Winter Kinghave both been cancelled at MGM+, though the two shows may still be rescued. Both shows premiered in the latter half of 2023, withThe Winter Kingpositioning itself as a retelling of Arthurian legends. As forBeacon 23, which starredGame of Thronesalum Lena Headey andHomecomingstar Stephan James, it is based on the novels of the same name by Hugh Howey. The latter followed two characters who have to learn to trust each other after they’re seemingly trapped at the end of the known universe.
TVLineconfirms thatBeacon 23andThe Winter Kinghave both been axed at MGM+. In the case ofBeacon 23, the thriller’s run is ending after two seasons and 16 episodes.The Winter King, meanwhile, had already been cancelled by co-producer ITV and will not be picked up by MGM+. Still, according to the report,both shows could potentially be shopped to other platforms.
MGM+ Scripted Programming Is In Flux
With the news thatBeacon 23season 3won’t be happening,the roster of returning programming on MGM+ has gotten smaller. Formerly titled Epix, and once the home of the Batman-connected dramaPennyworth, Epix rebranded to MGM+ in early 2023. The platform is owned by Amazon MGM Studios, though it has maintained its programming identity and branding and so far has not been folded into Amazon’s much larger Prime Video platform.
Beacon 23was initially developed in 2018 and was picked up by MGM later.
MGM+ has found some success with the horror seriesFrombreaking out ahead of its season 3 premiere. A blend of genres, providing scares and the mystery of a strange and dangerous town,Fromhas earned the endorsement of legendary author Stephen King as itprepares to return for new episodes on September 22. MGM+ has also recently debuted the crime dramaHotel Cocaine, which is awaiting renewal and was co-produced by Australian production company Stan.
Stephen King-Approved Horror Show Is The Lost Revival We’ve Been Waiting 13 Years For
Stephen King has given his seal of approval to the ongoing horror TV show From, which has all the makings of being the spiritual successor to Lost.
Absent a renewal forThe Winter Kingseason 2, however,MGM+ is just down to a handful of prominent scripted originals, that being the aforementionedFromandForest Whitaker’s well-establishedGodfather of Harlem, which is coming back for season 4 at an unspecified date.Billy the Kid, likeHotel Cocaine, is awaiting news of its future whileThe Emperor of Ocean Parkis airing its first episodes. But after a long journey to audiences,Beacon 23might have aired its last.
Beacon 23
Cast
Based on Hugh Howey’s sci-fi thriller stories, Beacon 23 is a television adaptation created by Zak Penn. The show follows the plight of Aster and Halan, who find themselves trapped at the end of the universe in a “lighthouse.” Suspicion mounts between the two as Halan begins to wonder about Aster’s true intentions as they spend time together in isolation. The series was initially set to air on AMC until it was picked up by MGM+ in 2023.
The Winter King
Based on Bernard Cornwell’s book series, The Winter King is a historical fiction series that covers the first novel’s events. The series retreads the tale of King Arthur with a new imagining; Arthur has been exiled, with the Saxons now in control of Camelot’s throne, with Merlin nowhere to be found.
