Fox has announced the cancellation of two of its drama series, “Alert: Missing Persons Unit” and “The Cleaning Lady.” The network had postponed final decisions until the current seasons had aired. “Alert” concluded its third season on May 27. “The Cleaning Lady” finished its fourth season on June 3.
The cancellations leave these shows at the bottom of Fox’s 2024-25 season rankings. The anticipated cancellation of the animated comedy “The Great North” after its fifth season was also mentioned. Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, said there may be an opportunity for the anthology series developed by Howard Gordon to return for a limited run in the future.
“We love the show and Howard Gordon,” Thorn said. All four series are Fox Entertainment co-productions with outside lead studios. Warner Bros.
Fox cancels two drama series
TV for “The Cleaning Lady,” Sony Pictures TV for “Alert,” and 20th Television Animation for “The Great North.”
According to sources, Fox explored continuing “Alert” with some retooling. Network executives admired Scott Caan’s performance as a leading man and the show’s evolution into a buddy-cop dynamic.
Ultimately, the ratings did not support its continuation. “The Cleaning Lady,” headlined by Élodie Yung, underwent creative retooling after the series suffered a tragic loss to cancer. The drama centers on Thony De La Rosa (Yung), a Cambodian-Filipino former surgeon who becomes a cleaner for a criminal organization to help her family.
It never regained its footing but maintained a passionate fan base. “Alert: Missing Persons Unit” is set in the Philadelphia Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit. It stars Scott Caan and Dania Ramirez as detectives Jason Grant and Nikki Batista.
While fans of both series are left with unanswered questions, the network’s decisions underscore the competitive nature of TV programming and the importance of ratings for the continued survival of shows.
