Time Bandits‘ latest adventure has come to an end. Apple TV+ has opted not to renew the series adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s cult classic film for a second season. The news comes almost a month after the 10-episode first season of the fantasy series starring Lisa Kudrow ended its run, released in batches of two episodes weekly.
The development is not entirely surprising. Despite the nostalgia factor and mostly favorable reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes), Time Bandits, created by Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris and Taika Waititi, did not attract large enough audience and was not able to crack Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings. (I hear the series did well in the UK, the movie’s home country that also serves as the show’s contemporary setting.)
After the initial round of the streaming wars where gaining market share was the sole objective, streamers have been applying a more disciplined approach in their shift to profitability, with big-budget scripted series like Time Bandits under particular scrutiny, tasked with clearing a higher viewership bar in order to continue.
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The cancellation ends a long journey that started more than six years ago when Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the beloved 1981 movie for a series adaptation produced by the now-defunct Paramount Television Studios, Anonymous Content’s AC Studios and MRC.
In Time Bandits, Kevin (Kal-El Tuck), an 11-year-old history buff, finds a time egress in his wardrobe and meets the eponymous crew of expert thieves. Guided by Kudrow’s Penelope, the bandits embark on epic adventures while evil forces threaten their conquests, and life as they know it. As the group transports through time and space, the gang stumbles upon fascinating worlds of the distant past while seeking out treasure, depending on Kevin to shed light on each situation.
The series also stars Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, Rune Temte, Charlyne Yi, Rachel House, Kiera Thompson, James Dryden, Felicity Ward, Francesca Mills and Imaan Hadchiti. Season 1 featured special guest appearances by Waititi and Clement.
Clement, Morris and Waititi executive produced, wrote, and directed select episodes, with Clement and Morris serving as co-showrunners. Garrett Basch and Tim Coddington also executive produced along with Jane Stanton who executive produced for Handmade Films.
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