Forever: Ioan Gruffudd Reaction to Cancellation, Message to Fans
by Trevor Kimball, May 9, 2015
As viewers are no doubt aware by now, ABC has decided to cancel their Forever TV show after one season of 22 episodes. Series star Ioan Gruffudd took to Instagram to send a message to the show's loyal viewers.
My dear friends, fans, supporters.
Tonight, as you all now know, I received a phone call that I was hoping not to receive, and to be honest I really wasn't expecting it. I knew the numbers hadn't been great, but I also knew the studio and the network both loved the show, and of course that it had an incredible fan base…so I thought we were in with a pretty good chance.
But sadly no, this time the cards weren't dealt in our favor. Show business is like that. Hell, life is like that. You ride to the top of the wave and then you come crashing down again. I asked Alice to send out the sad news because I was a little bit shaken up and needed time to gather my thoughts.
So I sat down and started reading the thousands of Tweets in response to the announcement. And the more I read, the more I couldn't believe it. The love, the sense of solidarity, the hope, the kindness, the support. Not just for the show, but for each other. And slowly I began to focus on what we had gained in the past year, rather than what we had lost in the last five minutes. I was overcome by a sense of gratitude. To have met you all and to have you all rooting for me and the show. At having a chance to play the role of my dreams, even if it was only for a year. To have been given the chance to bring Henry to life.
Watching the interaction of the FOREVER fans come together and share their love for the show has been breath-taking. It was you guys who held me up when I thought I could no longer go on. (Those days were LONG!) You made me smile when you pointed out the little things I did on screen that I thought had gone unnoticed. You gave me confidence when I accidentally found myself reading less than shining reviews. You were always with me, every step of the way, waving your flags, shouting your support for the show. It's been an incredible, wonderful year, one that I will never, ever forget.
And guess what? The memories belong to us. We get to keep them 'forever!' Thanks again a million times for your unwavering support. Stay strong, be brave, and show kindness as often as you can!
Ioan xxx
What do you think? What do you think of Gruffudd's message? Why do you think Forever has such a passionate viewership yet the ratings weren't very good?
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402 Comment threads
336 Comment authors
Annette O. Bigler
The show committed the ultimate sin. It was well written and piqued the viewer's imagination. It was also entertaining and did insult the viewer's intelligence.
L.Troxel
I think the show had such appeal because the character of Henry was someone we all rooted for. He epitomized the essence of goodness and intelligence we would all like to possess. He was a gentle and interesting enigma in a less than perfect world.
Amandalion72
Again another new season of shows that will try to make it and fail. Why don't someone listen to the fans, people for a change and bring back the shows we enjoyed, the ones that were truely different, not turning movies to series enough of that. It is like there are no new ideas out there anymore. Well forever was, a great new idea, many enjoyed and are still hoping will come back, forever
Sandra D
This is simple… Many people watch with DVR's so they not only don't miss an episode but can watch them more than once… My DVR broke so now I watch things via Internet streaming so I'm sure it doesn't show people like us as viewers, but this show was one I always looked forward to seeing… I was waiting for season 2 and was totally bummed that they canceled it… I WISH CBS WOULD PICK IT UP… They wouldn't cancel a good thing! Probably why CBS is always better in ratings than ABC! Please…. SOMEBODY BRING IT BACK TO US!
Really loved love this show. Ioan was simply the best! Please bring it back or let another station carry it!
Is it possible that technology has rendered the Nielsen ratings ineffective? What about busy people who DVR? I am sure satellite and cable companies keep track of the "timers" that are being set to record shows; maybe that should be a way to determine who is watching. My husband and I thought "Forever" was one of the most intelligent, interesting, well thought-out shows on television. We were baffled to hear of it's cancellation. Periodically, my husband will watch a show that is brainless and idiotic and comment that "it is amazing that trash like that can be on television when… Read more »
Susie Carpenter
My husband and I loved the show! We were so sad to see it go. It was refreshing! Funny, cute, & upbeat! You were awesome! One of the few shows we watched on ABC since they took off All My Children that I would tape everyday. I have saved a few shows on DVR and we just watched them again. My husband said we should have taped them all and kept them to watch later. We thank you for the time we had! No wonder ABC is low in the ranking!
Forever Fan
Contact Netflix to #SaveForever
Write to them at:
100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, CA 95032
It is harder to ignore a stack of letters than a stack of easily deleted emails!
#SaveForever
https://www.change.org/p/warner-brothers-warner-brothers-fans-love-the-tv-show-forever/u/14132526
Again, I really enjoyed Forever, and got a sister & friends "into it" with me as well. Cannot help but wonder why it was cancelled. Never thought ratings systems for TV were correct/realistic. Lived in 2 major cities: never knew a Nielsen family ever.
I really, really liked this show and looked forward to it each week. I will miss it and don't understand some shows, that are terrible, stay and good ones that do not get renewed! Like this one, Battle Creek and Stalker.
Thank you Ioan! Well said! I am really gonna miss Doctor Henry Morgan & Co. 🙂 Thank you for this amazing show!