NBC's 'Timeless' Fails to Find New Home, 2-Hour Movie Finale Still in Discussion

Posted on July 3, 2018

timeless no networks finale movie — *Credit: NBC*

NBC's Timeless may live up to its name in the hearts and minds of its dedicated fanbase, but it won't be living on at another network. Sony Pictures TV has ended its efforts to find a new home for the Erik Kripke/Shawn Ryan time-travelling drama/action series. Ryan took to Twitter on Monday to notify Timeless fans of the news and give an update of sorts on the status of a possible television movie finale — which wasn't exactly promising.

Here's what Kripke tweeted in June 2018 regarding initial efforts to give Timeless a proper ending through either a new season or series finale television movie:

Gutted by this, guys, I know you are too. Behind the scenes, Sony has been trying hard to set it up elsewhere, but no luck so far. I think this 2 hour movie is our best shot. We're ready to make it if @nbc really wants it. Let 'em know how you feel. #clockblockers https://t.co/arNi9iS9GF

— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) June 22, 2018

A little over a week later, Ryan took to Twitter to deliver the bad news personally:

1. @SPTV has notified @TheRealKripke and me that efforts to land #Timeless at another network have sadly failed. While Sony will continue to look at any and all options, actor deals have expired and it appears there will be no Season 3 or beyond.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) July 2, 2018

2. Discussions still take place between @SPTV and @NBC about a possible 2 hour movie to conclude the #Timeless story, but there are considerable economic obstacles that make it an uncertainty. We will update you when we know more.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) July 2, 2018

3. @TheRealKripke, me, the cast, writers & crew of #Timeless want to send our immense thanks and gratitude to all the #ClockBlockers who fought so hard for this show. You made a second season possible and gave us hope for a Season 3. We wish the news was better. We love you all.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) July 2, 2018

NBC first canceled Timeless in May 2017, with the series unable to secure a wide audience or ratings above the average range. But while its audience wasn't huge, it was passionate, motivated, and mobilized to bring the series back, leading NBC to reverse its decision and bring the show back for a 10-episode second-season.

Season 2 of Timeless returned on March 1st, but the series would never be able to boost its ratings enough, even with the cast and creative taking to social media to promote the series. The series was cancelled for a second and seemingly final time in June 2018, after the network's May upfronts and eight days before cast's options were to expire.

https://youtu.be/J2Mg4ebOg5Y

Launched with a mysterious criminal stealing a secret state-of-the-art time machine to destroy America by changing the past, Timeless focused on the soldier (Matt Lanter), the history professor (Abigail Spencer) and the scientist (Malcolm Barrett) assigned to use the machine's prototype to travel back in time and make things right. Series cast also includes Goran Visnjic, Paterson Joseph, Sakina Jaffrey, and Claudia Doumit co-star.

Timeless is produced by Davis Entertainment, Kripke Enterprises and MiddKid Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television; and exec produced by Kripke, Ryan, John Davis, John Fox, Marney Hochman, and Neill Marshall.

Deadline Hollywood