‘Instinct’ Canceled By CBS After 2 Seasons

Nellie Andreeva

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And then there were none. CBS has opted not to pick up drama series Instinct starring Alan Cumming for a third season.

The network in May postponed a renewal decision on four midseason drama series, which were either still airing or yet to premiere — sophomore Instinct, freshmen The Code and The Red Line, and third-year Canadian import Ransom. The Red Line, The Code and Ransom have since been canceled. They are now being joined by Instinct.

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Instinct creator/executive producer Michael Rauch announced the cancellation on Twitter, revealing that the series will be double pumped this Sunday and will air its Season 2 series finale next Sunday, Aug. 25.

“I’m very sad to relay the news that @instinctcbs won’t be renewed for a 3rd season,” Rauch wrote. “Thanks to our incredible crew, cast, writers, producers & all who helped make our show, with respect, talent & kindness. And a giant thank you to our diehard fans for your love, loyalty & excellent taste (is it too soon to ask for a reboot?).”

Co-lead Bojana Novakovic had a stronger reaction to the cancellation.

Star/executive producer Cumming later on Saturday reacted to the cancellation in an Instagram post that paid tribute to the show and its legacy as the first broadcast drama series with an openly gay lead character, played by him.

Based on the James Patterson novel, Instinct stars Cumming as a former CIA operative who is lured back to his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer. Novakovic, Daniel Ings, Naveen Andrews and Sharon Leal also star.

Instinct is produced by CBS Television Studios. Cumming and Patterson executive produce with Michael Rauch, Marc Webb, Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin (Secret Hideout), Bill Robinson and Leopoldo Gout.

View this post on Instagram

So the word is out. @instinctcbs will not be returning for a third season. Almost exactly three years ago I was sent a galley copy of a book by @jamespattersonbooks and @howardroughan and then I met the show runner @mbr34 who was to adapt it for TV and I jumped in. And I’m still in, for two more episodes tomorrow and the last one ever next Sunday. And while I’m sorry I won’t be getting to play with @bojnovak and the rest of the amazing cast and crew again, I’m grateful for two seasons of fun and gore and feeling like a dandy thanks to @danlawsonstyle’s costumes, and selfies with corpses and vegan options at catering and Lala’s occasional guest appearances in the police station when she got bored in her basket beneath my desk. I’m also proud to have played the first ever leading character in a US network drama who is gay. Yes, really. Because of @instinctcbs millions of people will have seen a same sex marriage portrayed for the first time and I hope we changed and opened some minds in the process.

A post shared by Alan Cumming (@alancummingsnaps) on Aug 17, 2019 at 2:10pm PDT

 

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