Apple TV+ Cancels 'Time Bandit' After 1 Season

time bandit' The latest adventure is over. Apple TV+ has decided not to renew the series adaptation of Terry Gilliam's cult classic film for a second season. The news comes nearly a month after the 10-episode first season of the Lisa Kudrow-starring fantasy series aired in two-episode weekly batches.

The development is not entirely surprising. Despite the nostalgia factor and mostly favorable reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes), time banditCreated by Jemaine Clement, Ian Morris and Taika Waititi, did not attract a substantial audience and was unable to crack Nielsen's top 10 streaming rankings. (I hear the series did well in the UK, the home of the movie which also serves as the show's contemporary setting.)

After the initial rounds of the streaming wars where gaining market share was the only goal, streamers are adopting more disciplined approaches to turn their profits around, such as big-budget scripted series. time bandit Under special scrutiny, tasked with clearing a high audience bar to continue.

The cancellation ends a long journey that began more than six years ago when Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the beloved 1981 film for a series adaptation produced by now-defunct Paramount Television Studios, AC Studios of Anonymous Content and MRC.

In time bandit, Kevin (Kal-El Tuck), an 11-year-old history buff, sneaks out of his closet for a time and meets a nameless crew of expert thieves. Led by Kudrow's Penelope, the bandits embark on epic adventures as sinister forces threaten their conquests and life as they know it. As the team travels through time and space, the gang stumbles upon fascinating worlds from the distant past while searching for treasure, relying on Kevin to shed light on each situation.

The series also stars Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Senjiumva, Rune Temte, Charlene E, Rachel Hawes, Kiera Thompson, James Dryden, Felicity Ward, Francesca Mills and Iman Hadchiti. Season 1 featured special guest appearances by Waititi and Clement.

Clement, Morris and Waititi executive produced, wrote and directed selected episodes, with Clement and Morris serving as co-showrunners. Garrett Bash and Tim Coddington also executive produced with Jane Stanton who executive produced for Handmade Films.