‘Shadowhunters’ canceled by Freeform but fans will get closure with a two-hour finale
Freeform has canceled supernatural drama series 'Shadowhunters' and its current third season will be the last. The network has, however, assured the fans that the show will get a full closure with a special two-hour final at the close of the upcoming second half of season three.
The two extra episodes will wrap up the story of the expanded 12-episode final season, dubbed Shadowhunters: The Final Hunt, which will air in spring 2019. The network had originally ordered a 10-episode third season and later ordering 10 back episodes. Season 3A had its run on May 15 and 3B, or the second half of the show’s third and final season, is slated to premiere in spring 2019.
The finale will cover all Mortal Instruments books on which the show is based. The current third season goes over Cassie Clare's books of the same name with its fourth and fifth part; the two-hour finale will be based on the sixth and final novel in the series.
“We are very proud of Shadowhunters, a series that broke new ground in the genre world and became a fan favorite,” the network said in a statement.
“However, along with our partners at Constantin, we reached the very difficult decision not to renew the show for a fourth season. But as big supporters and fans ourselves, Freeform insisted on and championed the filming of a special two-part finale that would give devoted fans a proper ending.
The twelve episodes will air in spring of 2019. We want to thank our talented creators, producers, cast and crew along with our colleagues at Constantin for their hard work and dedication and to Cassie Clare for her incredible book series. We look forward to the final chapter of this breakthrough drama.”
Shadowhunters got off to a strong start, becoming Freeform’s strongest new scripted show in 2016, earning a second-season renewal with new showrunners Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer. The two executive produce alongside McG, Michael Reisz, Matt Hastings, Mary Viola, Martin Moszkowicz and Robert Kulzer.
However, ratings have been declining year-to-year since then, though the series continues to have a strong fanbase.
Shadowhunters is produced by Constantin Film. The series stars Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray, Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland, Alberto Rosende as Simon Lewis, Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood, Matthew Daddario as Alec Lightwood, Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway, Alisha Wainwright as Maia Roberts, and Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane.