Amid an ongoing investigation into series creator and star Frankie Shaw, Showtime has today decided to cancel its original comedy series SMILF after two seasons. The season finale on March 31 will now serve as its final episode.
The comedy starred Frankie Shaw, Miguel Gomez, Samara Weaving, Raven Goodwin, Anna & Alexandra Reimer and Rosie O'Donnell.
Shaw created the series based on her short film of the same name. She executive produced with Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky, Michael London and Scott King. ABC Signature, Groundswell Productions, Quantity Entertainment and Supahsmaht Productions produced.
Showtime released the following statement about the cancellation: "After weighing a variety of factors, Showtime has decided that SMILF will not move forward for a third season. The remainder of the second season will continue to air as schedule on Showtime through its series finale on March 31. We remain extremely proud of the two seasons of SMILF, and thank Frankie Shaw for her singular voice and unique creation, as well as the dozens of writers, producers, actors, directors and crew members both in Los Angeles and on location in Boston, who contributed to this exceptional series."
In December 2018, The Hollywood Reporter published a piece in which numerous employees of the comedy made claims about inappropriately handled sex scenes and Shaw's unprofessional behavior. Actress Samara Weaving exited the series after she claimed her contract was breached. Additionally, complaints were sent to the WGA regarding credit issues and alleged race-based separation. Shaw has claimed that the mistakes made during production were due to her being an inexperienced, first-time showrunner.
Furthermore today, ABC Studios has opted to suspend the overall deal it had signed with Shaw as the investigation into the allegations continues. The contact still had two more years on it.
