Netflix cancellation of The Get Down lets down students
The Netflix original series The Get Down has been cancelled after just one season. Because it is such a racially inclusive show that portrays the beginnings of hip-hop culture in the 1970s, the cancellation has sparked major controversy.
On May 24, creator Baz Luhrmann announced the cancellation in a lengthy Facebook post, claiming that his commitment to other projects hindered his ability to focus on The Get Down as much as he had hoped.
However, the main reason for the show’s cancellation may have an inability to recoup the whopping $120 million in production costs that Netflix spent, as reported by variety.com.
Whatever the reason may be, members of the WHS community who enjoyed the show’s inclusive cast and captivating storyline were disappointed to hear it will not be renewed for a second season.
“It was a really good show with a unique and interesting plot line and had a cast that was entirely people of color,” said junior Maggie McDonald. “It’s just disappointing to see it cancelled and unsuccessful.”
McDonald is not alone in feeling this way. Sophomore Olivia Shields expressed her shared displeasure in hearing about The Get Down’s cancellation.
“I honestly feel like it’s one of the only shows that talks about black culture,” she said. “I’m upset it was cancelled because the story was interesting and it showed the history of hip-hop really well.”
Despite this fanbase in the WHS community, The Get Down did not draw as large of an audience as did other Netflix original shows, which also may have contributed to its cancellation.
The beginning of Season One attracted more than 3 million U.S. adults ages 18-49 in its first 31 days, according to Symphony Advanced Media, which was only about one-fifth the audience that viewed Season Four of Orange is the New Black in its first 31 days.
Be that as it may, members of the WHS community as well as Netflix-watchers across the U.S. have expressed disappointment that The Get Down, which so perfectly captures the roots of modern black culture, will not continue.
“It’s annoying that the show ended with so many unanswered questions and cliffhangers,” Shields said. “Now we’ll never really know how the story ends.”
However, the main reason for the show’s cancellation may have an inability to recoup the whopping $120 million in production costs that Netflix spent, as reported by variety.com.
Whatever the reason may be, members of the WHS community who enjoyed the show’s inclusive cast and captivating storyline were disappointed to hear it will not be renewed for a second season.
“It was a really good show with a unique and interesting plot line and had a cast that was entirely people of color,” said junior Maggie McDonald. “It’s just disappointing to see it cancelled and unsuccessful.”
McDonald is not alone in feeling this way. Sophomore Olivia Shields expressed her shared displeasure in hearing about The Get Down’s cancellation.
“I honestly feel like it’s one of the only shows that talks about black culture,” she said. “I’m upset it was cancelled because the story was interesting and it showed the history of hip-hop really well.”
Despite this fanbase in the WHS community, The Get Down did not draw as large of an audience as did other Netflix original shows, which also may have contributed to its cancellation.
The beginning of Season One attracted more than 3 million U.S. adults ages 18-49 in its first 31 days, according to Symphony Advanced Media, which was only about one-fifth the audience that viewed Season Four of Orange is the New Black in its first 31 days.
Be that as it may, members of the WHS community as well as Netflix-watchers across the U.S. have expressed disappointment that The Get Down, which so perfectly captures the roots of modern black culture, will not continue.
“It’s annoying that the show ended with so many unanswered questions and cliffhangers,” Shields said. “Now we’ll never really know how the story ends.”
