Both The Winter King and Beacon 23 canceled at MGM+

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As a voracious reader and a dedicated fan of historical fiction, I have to admit that my heart sank when I heard the news about both “The Winter King” and “Beacon 23” being canceled. It seems MGM+, a streaming service that has yet to make a significant impact on my viewing habits, decided to pull the plug on these series.

To fully grasp this narrative, it’s essential to be aware that a streaming platform named MGM+ exists. It seems quite rare for individuals to subscribe to MGM+, which might account for the cancellation of some of its shows. According to TV Line, neither “The Winter King” nor “Beacon 23” will be renewed for further seasons.

Last year, The Winter King aired for a single 10-episode season. I tuned in because I’m an avid reader of the books it was adapted from: Bernard Cornwell’s “The Warlord Chronicles,” a captivating trilogy that reimagines the life of King Arthur through Cornwell’s exceptional talent for crafting historically authentic fiction.

On the whole, the series left me underwhelmed. It felt like a haphazard translation of Cornwell’s works, and I doubt it would captivate new viewers. I was hoping for more—even mediocre episodes could have included some of my favorite book scenes—but the source material is excellent, enduring, and widely available, so I encourage you to read and appreciate them!

I didn’t catch “Beacon 23” myself, but I understand that it featured Lena Headey, known for her role as Cersei Lannister in “Game of Thrones”. It’s unfortunate the series was canceled, given Headey portrayed Aster, isolated with a man named Halan (Stephen James) on a distant deep space lighthouse. The show was adapted from a short story by Hugh Howey and seemed promising as an exciting sci-fi adventure. “Beacon 23” spanned across two seasons, comprising a total of 16 episodes.

It’s unclear how well these shows performed on MGM+, as some studios might find it more beneficial to distribute content through other streaming platforms instead of creating their own. However, there’s a chance that these shows could be moved to different services, although I’m not overly hopeful about it. Regrettably, the day when I can enjoy an adaptation of “The Warlord Chronicles” that satisfies me has not yet come.

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2024-09-07 02:41