Apple TV Plus’s fantasy adventure series, Time Bandits, has been officially canceled after just one season, with the announcement made on September 16, 2024.
This news has sparked speculation regarding the factors behind the abrupt cancellation of the series. Some fans believe that declining viewership and a lack of connection with audiences are reasons contributing to its discontinuation. Additionally, there are thoughts that the cancellation might be aimed at making room for more commercially viable programs on the streaming service.
Unsurprisingly, fans of Time Bandits who were looking forward to a renewal are upset by the news. Many have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction.
“Had to tell my mum Time Bandits was cancelled and she said ‘but I just finished it! How could you do that to wee Kevin?!’”wrote one user on X.
“Guys, Time Bandits is freaking awesome even as a show that ended too soon. Watch it! It’s so good,”another user shared on the platform.
Time Bandits Will Not Be Returning for a Second Season on Apple TV Plus
On September 16, 2024, it was confirmed that Time Bandits would not be renewed for a second season. This announcement came shortly after the first season finale aired. While some fans were saddened by the news, others had anticipated this decision.
Despite high expectations, the show struggled to engage a significant audience, failing to make it onto Nielsen’s Top 10. Additionally, the series received mediocre reviews on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, contributing to its downfall.
These metrics play a vital role in deciding the fate of a television project, and in their absence, many viewers felt the creators lost justification for continuing the series into a second season.
Furthermore, the series faced controversies, including allegations from Charlyne Yi regarding physical and psychological abuse on set. Yi claimed that their concerns were dismissed and that they felt pressured to depart the production, sharing these allegations in a series of Instagram posts.
Another point of contention among viewers was the lack of actors with dwarfism in the cast, which raised eyebrows given that the characters are based on the original film that addressed this aspect.
About the Show
Time Bandits was developed by Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, and Taika Waititi, inspired by Terry Gilliam’s 1981 fantasy film of the same name. The series featured talents such as Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, Charlyne Yi, Rune Temte, Rachel House, and Kiera Thompson.
Executive producers for the series included Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, Garrett Basch, and Jane Stanton. The show was produced by HandMade Films, Anonymous Content, MRC Television, and Paramount Television Studios.
The official synopsis described the series as follows:
“Embark on a comedic, high-stakes journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an 11-year-old history nerd. Together, they set out on a thrilling quest to save the boy’s parents — and the world.”
All episodes of Time Bandits season 1 are currently streaming on Apple TV Plus.
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