The CW is already making sure that 2017 is better than 2016 by kicking off the new year with some very good news. The network just renewed all your favorite shows!
In a surprise move, The CW has given early renewals to seven of its original series for the 2017-2018 season, including all of the comic book series and a few other fan-favorites. Supernatural is returning for a record 13th season, Supergirl was renewed for season three, The Flash will return for season four, Arrow got a season six, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow earned a season three, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was renewed for season three and Jane the Virgin gets a season four. Plus, Constantine–the DC Comics/NBC live-action series that was canceled just a few years ago–is returning as an animated series on digital platform CW Seed with Matt Ryan reprising his title role as the voice of John Constantine.
These announcements were made today during the network’s session at the 2017 Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena by CW boss Mark Pedowitz.
“Over the past several seasons, The CW has built a schedule of proven performers, from our lineup of DC superheroes, to critically acclaimed comedies, to sci-fi dramas,” Pedowitz said. “Early pickups of these seven series now allow our producers to plan ahead for next season, and gives us a solid base to build on for next season, with original scripted series to roll out all year long.”
Walking out onstage to the room of journalists applauding him for sticking with TCA tradition and giving a studio executive session (unlike most of the major networks who decided to forgo those important panels this season), Pedowitz revealed that it was less about the ratings and more about keeping “great programming” on the air.
“It has nothing to do with numbers,” Pedowitz said. “It has everything to do with Crazy Ex, Jane, DC franchises have helped alter the perception of what The CW has become. When you have great critical work on a critically acclaimed nominated show like Crazy, it deserves to be picked up. There have been many times in my career, going back to my ABC days, that I had wished that Eli Stone and October Road could have continued. George Michael’s death and his moments on Eli Stone reminded me how wonderful that show was and how way ahead of its time it was. It’s a perception. And you know what? Critically acclaimed great programming, sometimes you just leave it on the air and hopefully it finds an audience. I am hoping that happens and if it doesn’t I’ll have no regrets of having continued the series.”
As for the network’s juggernaut, Supernatural, Pedowitz once again revealed that it was a no-brainer bringing it back for season 13.
“I was hoping for a bat mitzvah this year, the 13th season,” he joked. “Look, I said this ad infinitim, as long as it’s performing and the boys want to do it and I’m sitting in this chair, the show has a long life.”
The only CW original series still up for renewal/cancelation are all the midseason slate: The Originals, iZombie, The 100 and new series Riverdale (it was already announced this summer that The Vampire Diaries will end after this season). Pedowitz said that he’s “hopeful” that The Originals will return, and to stay tuned to how the midseason series perform this year.
Speaking of the final season of The Vampire Diaries, is there any news of former series star Nina Dobrev returning for the series finale? “This is the best way I can answer that question: [showrunners] Julie [Plec], Kevin [Williamson], the studio and The CW promised a fantastic series finale,” Pedowitz said with a smile.
Specific premiere dates and episode counts for each series’ new season will be announced at a later time.
Images: The CW
