Seven days ago, DC Universe aired Swamp Thing. With only one episode released, the show has been canceled. There are plans to run the remaining nine episodes on DC Universe’s streaming platform, although no more episodes will be produced following Season 1’s conclusion.
The show originates from the comic book series of the same name, and follows Abby Arcane, a CDC scientist who starts the series by investigating a deadly virus that has stricken swamplands near her hometown in Louisiana. The small town has been plagued by a mysterious bio-hazard, alongside supernatural occurrences. It stars Crystal Reed as Abby Arcane. Reed is probably best known for her role as Allison Argent in MTV’s Teen Wolf and Sofia Falcone on Fox’s Gotham. Andy Bean joins Reed in the role of Alec Holland, and Derek Mears portrays the titular Swamp Thing, Alec’s alter ego.
News of Swamp Thing’s cancellation comes in the wake of its episodes already being reduced to 10 from 13 as originally planned in the series order. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cause for the shortened run centers on creative differences. This overrides rumors that the show’s budget was drained following an issue with tax credits in North Carolina, as discussed in Deadline report. These were spread by writer and cartoonist John Gholson, and ultimately were disputed by the director of the North Carolina film office, Guy Gasser. Gasser’s report states that Gholson’s theory is incongruent with the office’s numbers. While Gholson originally tweeted that $40 million was withheld from Swamp Thing’s budget, Gasser pointed out that this figure exceeds the office’s entire annual budget, which is $31 million.
Gasser elaborated on this, addressing other concerns regarding Swamp Thing’s relationship with the North Carolina film office. “We treat each season of each series as its own stand-alone project,” Gasser explained. “And from that standpoint it appears that Warner Bros have lived up to their end of the deal. We have the funds set aside and one the verification has taken place the check will be cut for them.”
Gholson responded to the report with more tweets: “I don’t even understand some of it,” the cartoonist tweeted. “Maybe my numbers are off, but it’s still a matter of money.”
The final episode of Swamp Thing will be streamed on August 2 on DC Universe.