Amazon’s Prime Video has decided not to renew the sci-fi series “The Peripheral” for a second season, citing the ongoing strikes by Hollywood writers and actors as the reason for the un-renewal. The show, which was based on a novel by William Gibson and created by Scott B. Smith, follows a woman played by Chloë Grace Moretz who discovers a secret connection to an alternate reality in a near-future world.
“The Peripheral” had initially been picked up for a second season in February, shortly after the first season concluded its run. However, preproduction was halted in May when writers went on strike to seek better contracts from studios and streamers. The strike was subsequently joined by the actors union SAG-AFTRA in July. This makes “The Peripheral” the first show to have its renewal rescinded due to the strikes.
Insiders have expressed surprise at the show’s initial renewal, considering its high production cost of close to $175 million for its eight-episode first season. In comparison, creators Joy and Nolan’s previous show, “Westworld,” cost an estimated $140 million for the same number of episodes. The rumored lukewarm audience engagement and a shorter second season order of six episodes also factored into Prime Video’s decision.
Amazon Studios had high hopes for “The Peripheral” and had brought in former head of genre programming Sharon Tal Yguado, who was instrumental in securing Joy and Nolan’s involvement. However, Yguado left the studio earlier in the year, and the series received a formal order in late 2019. It is unclear whether the creators’ next project, the video game adaptation “Fallout,” will be affected by the cancellation of “The Peripheral.”
“The Peripheral” was helmed by showrunner Scott B. Smith and executive produced by Joy, Nolan, director Vincenzo Natali, Athena Wickham, and Steven Hoban. The cancellation was first reported by Deadline.
As the strikes by writers and actors continue to impact the industry, it remains to be seen how other shows and productions will be affected. The ongoing labor disputes highlight the challenges faced by studios and streamers in navigating the demands of talent while managing budgets and audience engagement.