This afternoon, The CW made all of its scheduling decisions for the 2014-15 season in one fell swoop - renewing dramas The 100, Hart of Dixie and Beauty and the Beast, canceling dramas The Carrie Diaries, Star-Crossed and The Tomorrow People and giving series orders to drama pilots The Flash, iZombie, The Messengers and Jane the Virgin.
After not making the early cut for renewals at the network, The 100 and Hart of Dixie seemed strong to be brought back for an additional season. The 100 was the network's much stronger drama that debuted at midseason. Its numbers aren't the best but it has held onto more of its Arrow lead-in than its predecessor The Tomorrow People did in the time slot. Co-showrunners for The 100's first season Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain won't be returning, with series creator Jason Rothenberg taking over full-time. Despite its move to Friday nights and lower ratings, Hart of Dixie is a veteran performer for the network - which likes to give its established shows final seasons to wrap up its stories. The order for a fourth season wasn't confirmed to be a final season for Hart of Dixie. There's really no reason why The CW has renewed Beauty and the Beast other than it does solid international numbers for production company, CBS TV Studios.
All of the dramas the network opted to cancel today struggled in the ratings. The Tomorrow People opened strongly after Arrow but went on the decline almost immediately - prompting the network to move it to Monday nights where it hit series low numbers. The Carrie Diaries was brought back for a 13-episode second season last fall in the hopes it could grow with a new home on Friday nights. That didn't happen and it quietly went out back in January. Star-Crossed had promising reviews when it started in February by just couldn't capture any ratings magic in its Monday time slot - which has plagued the network all season long.
The CW went 4 for 6 for its drama pilots this season - a very strong batting average. The projects not moving forward include family terrorism drama Identity and the Supernatural planted spinoff Supernatural: Bloodlines - which was met with mixed reaction when its backdoor pilot aired last week.
Here's series descriptions for the new dramas:
THE FLASH
Based upon characters published by DC Comics and a spinoff of The CW's hit drama Arrow. Through a freak accident, scientist Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) is given the power of super speed that transforms him into the Fast Man Alive.
Also starring on the drama are Jesse L. Martin, Rick Gosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Candice Patton, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, John Wesley Shipp, Michelle Harrison and Patrick Sabongui.
The pilot was written by Geoff Johns, Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg and directed by David Nutter. Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions will produce.
iZOMBIE
A med student-turned zombie (Rose McIver) takes a job in the coroner's office to gain access to the brains she must reluctantly eat to maintain her humanity, but with each brain she consumes, she inherits the corpse's memories. With the help of her medical examiner boss and a police detective, she solves homicide cases in order to quiet the disturbing voices in her head. Based on the characters created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, and published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint.
The cast also includes Malcolm Goodwin, Ruhul Kohli, Alexandra Krosney, David Anders, Robert Buckley and Nora Dunn.
The pilot was written by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero. Additional executive producers are Danielle Stokdyk and Dan Etheridge. Warner Bros. Television and Rob Thomas Productions will produce.
JANE THE VIRGIN
Adapted from the successful Venezuelan telenovela, a series of surprising and unforeseen events causes a hard-working, religious young Latina woman (Gina Rodriguez) to be accidentally artificially inseminated.
Jaime Camil, Yael Grobglas, Brett Dier, Andrea Navedo, Justin Baldoni, Ryan Devlin and Ivonne Coll co-star on the drama.
The pilot was written by Jennie Snyder Urman, who will executive produce with Ben Silverman, Gary Pearl and Jorge Granier. CBS Television Studios and Electus will produce.
THE MESSENGERS
When a mysterious object crashes down to earth, a group of seemingly unconnected strangers die from the energy pulse, but then awaken to learn that they have been deemed responsible for preventing the impending Apocalpse.
Starring on the drama are Shantel VanSanten, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Joel Courtney, Jon Fletcher, Diogo Morgado and Craig Frank.
The pilot was written by Eoghan O'Donnel, who will serve as co-executive producer. Basil Iwanyk, Kent Kubena, Ted Humphrey and Ava Jamshidi will executive produce. Stephen Williams directed the pilot. CBS Television Studios, Thunder Road Television and Industry Entertainment will produce.
