WE tv axes debut drama

AMC Networks-owned WE tv has cancelled its first scripted drama, The Divide, after its first season.

The cable channel has decided not pick up a second run on of the show following its eight-part first season.

“We are extremely proud of The Divide and grateful to its brilliant creators, Richard LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn, and an amazing cast and crew, for bringing this story to life as WE tv’s first scripted series,” the network said in a statement reported by Stateside trade titles.

The legal drama, billed as an “exploration of personal morality”, followed a case worker fighting to save a death row inmate. The AMC network originally worked up the project at its AMC Studios arm before it was transferred to female-skewed WE tv, which has been repositioning as a more male-inclusive channel.

Canada-based Tricon Films & Television sells the show internationally, though AMC/Sundance Channel Global has rights in some territories. Tricon gave it a major push at MIPTV in April, with show star Martin Ireland hitting the Croisette to promote it.

However, WE tv is not ditching the scripted genre just yet. It recently ordered South of Hell, which comes from horror genre gurus Eli Roth and Jason Blum.

Scripted specialist Cheryl Bloch has been leading WE tv’s push into drama after joining exactly a year ago.