Starz has recently announced on the official "Da Vinci's Demons" site that the upcoming third season of the show will be its last and now, CEO Chris Albrecht has explained why. In a report from Deadline, Albrecht revealed that the decision wasn't caused by poor ratings or reviews but because the show's fans overlapped with other series that were faring better.
"We have the success with 'Black Sails,' which in some ways appeals to some of the same audiences," Albrecht explained, "and while we have a lot of fan boys for 'Da Vinci's Demons,' we have what may be the fan boy series of all time in 'Ash vs Evil Dead'."
Both "Black Sails" and "Da Vinci's Demons" are period-piece adventure series littered with fun and quick-wit dialogue so there is some similarity there. Albrecht continued to explain that the key to success in network television is to be able to cater to different demographics, and when several shows target the same audience, one will have to go.
Albrecht also mentioned the departure of showrunner and series creator David S. Goyer. Goyer was no longer involved for season 3 as he focused his time on the NBC series "Constantine," which was cancelled after one season, and he had his hands full with numerous film projects in the works.
Without its original creator overseeing the show and with "Black Sails" and "Ash vs Evil Dead" targeting the same audience groups, it was only natural for Starz to let go of "Da Vinci's Demons."
However, Albrecht also explained that the series does have a "very satisfying conclusion" despite season 3 having been shot before the cancellation was announced. The season 3 finale wasn't meant to end the show but it appears that it will wrap up the current storyline.
"Da Vinci's Demons" season 3 premieres this Oct. 24.
