The cancellation axe has Swung at NBC. It’s modern-day Russian spy drama, Allegiance was cancelled after 5 low-performing episodes. In its episode from Thursday, March 5, the show attracted 3.4 million viewers, a distant third place finish in the 10pm (ET) time slot behind the series premiere of American Crime on ABC, and Elementary on CBS. Allegiance even followed NBC’s hit The Blacklist, which was moved from Mondays to Thursdays in an attempt to help launch the series, but to no avail. This was clearly a case of too many good shows on one night.
Related: About Allegiance
Related: Interview with Gavin Stenhouse
The drama was about former KGB spies (Hope Davis and Scott Cohen) called back into service by the Russian Government. And now, Mother Russia wants to enlist the help of one of the couple’s children, a brilliant young CIA analyst with a brilliant — yet mysterious — mind. The genius, Alex O’Connor, was played by Gavin Stenhouse and his role was incredibly interesting, but it may have been his portrayal of a character that was repeatedly referred to as “special,” that was the show’s undoing.
I had the pleasure to chat with Stenhouse about the show and he is a delightful chap who is a wonderful actor. I found the show’s premise was incredibly promising: a bright guy solving crimes with his intellect while being spied on by his family. The pilot that I saw featured espionage and intrigue around every corner. And the show has a rich bunch of baddies who did terrible stuff like put someone in a furnace — alive! That’s an incredibly intense way to premiere a series.
One glance at Stenhouse and you know he’s a great looking man. And as the show’s star/hero you want to be attracted to him for his mind as well as his face. But here was where I felt a bit conflicted: throughout the pilot, we’re repeatedly told how “special,” Stenhouse’s character Alex is and that “his mind is different.” We also heard statements that implied he’d undergone some terrible trauma or experience that may have harmed his psyche. Of course, the references were shadowy enough that I worried more about what had happened and I then felt creepy for finding his character hot.
Of course, I start worrying: was he exploited? Abused or neglected? Does he have Aspergers? (because whenever someone on a TV show says someone is “special” and gives that look while the subject is solving a Rubik’s cube, or doing an intense math problem, or in Alex O’Connor’s case, rolling a squash ball obsessively in his hands while blundering through human interactions — that’s the TV message I’m receiving.)
While wanting to know what happens next, worrying about Alex became my focus, which was too bad, because it distracted me from how bad-ass Hope Davis was as momma bear, Katya O’Connor. And Margarita Levieva should keep her phone on; she was heartstopping as Alex’s big sister Natalie — a sexy, slinky, spy. Her services will undoubtedly be requested elsewhere on TV.
To fill the time slot, NBC will move The Slap from 8pm to 10pm, which seems a better fit for that series anyway. Nobody wants to watch a family fall apart at 8pm on a Thursday. But the move means that Allegiance is gone, not simply moved to a better, less competitive night. No word from NBC as to what will air at 8pm or what it will do with the 8 episodes of Allegiance yet to air.
UPDATE (3/11/15) :
I contacted NBC to find out the fate of the 8 unaired episodes of Allegiance and was told that the episodes will be available on NBC.com. The network is unsure of the rollout schedule, but at this moment, the next episode will be available on Friday, March 13.
Here’s the episode description for Allegiance: “Liars and Thieves”
Natalie (Margarita Levieva) must rely on an outsider to hunt down vital information on Black Dagger and risks Victor (Morgan Spector) discovering her plan. Anxious to detain an SVR source before he escapes the country, Sam (Kenneth Choi) and Alex (Gavin Stenhouse) set up a risky sting operation in broad daylight. Meanwhile, Katya (Hope Davis) asks Alex to help throw the task force off track, and the outcome brings him face to face with Victor. Also starring Scott Cohen (Mark O’Connor) and Alex Peters (Sarah O’Connor). Guest starring Floriana Lima (Michelle Prado), Robert John Burke (Special Agent Brock), Haaz Sleiman (Scott Tolliver), and Aleksander Mici (Oleg Zhulov).
Fans of the show are so outraged that they’ve even started an online petition to save the show. Will you Pledge your Allegiance? Sign here
Gavin Stenhouse as Alex O’Connor image: Will Hart/NBC, © 2014 NBCUniversal Media, LLC
Allegiance Cast image: © 2014 NBCUniversal Media, LLC
Allegiance—ONE of the few shows we did watch on NBC!!! The Slap show is ridiculous!
Well i think THE SLAP should have been cancelled first. That is a ridiculus show. I agree with the others. It wasn’t given a chance. It was a very good show. In fact Thursday night is the worst night for TV on all local channels. There is nothing on but crazy 30 minute shows or dateline or 20/20 etc trying to be on. Seems like everytime there is a espionage spy show on or something to that nature that is really good or whatever.. Its taken off. Bad idea.
We really enjoyed this program, one of the best in a long time. A shame the network didn’t give it the chance to capture the audience. It should have been on another day so it didn’t have to compete with shows already on the air.
I loved the show.
Can’t believe they cancelled the show! The never gave the show a chance. We loved it – edge of your seat, non-stop action!!
Finally a show my husband would watch with me since breaking bad. We looked forward to Thursday’s he don’t like the same shows as me..it was just getting good..really disappointed in this news..Bring it back Plz
NBC…how in the heck can you people be so utterly stupid??? Five episodes only…and you cancel the show?!!? Is it any wonder you loose audiences when you pull crap like this?
I am so disappointed, NBC has cancelled so many good shows. Revolution, Dracula and now Allegiance. I’m gonna not get interested in NBC shows.
I can’t believe they cancelled Allegiance after only 5 shows. NBC what are you thinking now you dint even give a show a chance. I went on vacation and made sure to set my DVR for this as I didn’t want to miss anything, so much for that. Now it’s cancelled. I’m really getting leary about watching any new shows on NBC as they aren’t giving them a chance. Please bring it back it was a great show or at least let us see the other 8 shows. TV please don’t watch programs on my computer
I almost didn’t watch this show after so many shows on NBC getting canceled after I get hooked on them (The Event, Revolution, ect.). But I did, and now I’m disappointed again. They’ve had some really good shows, just can’t seem to keep them going.
this was a very good show.please air the last 8 episodes.not everyone can watch online.
I’m so disappointed …I looked forward to the show every week…loved it…100% better than the “Slap”, which took it’s place.
Big mistake. NBC you are crazy if u think that show would not have eventually taken off. There are countless csi shows, reality shows and comedy’s but that show had and original plot. There was not a show with that kind of story line. Bring it back. It is a great show. Give it time it will take off.
I give up. Allegiance was a show which I really was getting into. It was interesting, easy to follow and the characters were well defined. I’m frustrated because I’m afraid to start watching new programs, due to the chances of early cancellations. Why get involved if they won’t be on long enough. And you wonder why people are pulling the plug.
What a bunch of BS.. This was a great show that had plenty of action, not boring space filler episodes. It kept me on edge and we as a family enjoyed it except for the late showing so we taped it…. NBC you guys need to have your heads examined. Please at least let us view the remaining episodes on line.
I knew I quit watching Network TV for a reason. NBC you are silly silly silly. I hope cable picks it up and puts it in the Thursday time slot and slaps the crap out of ‘The Slap’
UPDATE (3/11/15) :
I contacted NBC to find out the fate of the 8 unaired episodes of Allegiance and was told that the episodes will be available on NBC.com. The network is unsure of the rollout schedule, but at this moment, the net episode will be available on Friday, March 13.
Here’s the episode description for Allegiance: “Liars and Thieves”
Natalie (Margarita Levieva) must rely on an outsider to hunt down vital information on Black Dagger and risks Victor (Morgan Spector) discovering her plan. Anxious to detain an SVR source before he escapes the country, Sam (Kenneth Choi) and Alex (Gavin Stenhouse) set up a risky sting operation in broad daylight. Meanwhile, Katya (Hope Davis) asks Alex to help throw the task force off track, and the outcome brings him face to face with Victor. Also starring Scott Cohen (Mark O’Connor) and Alex Peters (Sarah O’Connor). Guest starring Floriana Lima (Michelle Prado), Robert John Burke (Special Agent Brock), Haaz Sleiman (Scott Tolliver), and Aleksander Mici (Oleg Zhulov).
Thank you Kellie for the work you do and thank you for your help. I am sure, along with myself, the fans of Allegiance will be happily waiting for its return.
I have the blog and online petition to bring back Allegiance back, live right now. I cant post links here but if you send me an email to bring_back_my_show@ yahoo.com with Allegiance in the subject line I will send you the links.
Allegiance Blog
Allegiance Petition
Pledge Your Allegiance
Lets bring back Allegiance
Thanks,
Kevin
what-were-you-thinking?
I can’t believe it got cancelled. Allegiance was my new favorite show. I really hope they release the final episodes they have somewhere. I hate it when they don’t give a show enough time to build an audience. This is why I hate watching new show. Wish they would bring it.back. I loved the concept of the show and the characters. Was the best new show on the air!!!!!
As of yet, after sending emails and comments to NBC, they have yet to answer any requests. Im determined to get through. I will get the name of the program director today in order to start a letter writing campaign. I cannot post a link on here, it gets deleted, so anyone interested in signing the petition send me an email at bring_back_my_show@yahoo.com with Allegiance in the subject header and I will send you a link to the petition and any update.
I really like this show, it reminds me of the 80’s in Berlin but with a modern twist. NBC has a history of canceling shows without giving them a chance to grow and lure people in. They set shows up to fail by lacing them into slots against established shows and expect them to steal the lime light. They remind me of my kids wanting instant gratification!!! Place them in a Sunday or Monday slot, let them grow and then move them over to Thursday. NBC was once must see TV, now it’s just don’t bother cause we’re just gon a cancel it anyway!
I really enjoyed this series, and although it did come on the same time as Elementary, Hellooo can you say DVR !!!
I was looking forward to Allegiance, because the main character was one of the smartest agents on TV. He had native intelligence, the boy next door good looks, and a naïveté that was maturing right before your eyes. It would have been nice to see his character develop more. His family was great too, it would have been nice to see how they would have outsmarted the bad guys lol. I think this was truly one of THE BEST new shows this year!!
Seriously?!I would watch this on hulu before I watched blacklist or scandal! This is such a shame! My absolute favorite show to come out this season 🙁 please release last episodes on July or Netflix this show was so good!