The Astronomy Club has had its last meeting. Netflix announced on June 2nd that it will not be renewing the series for a second season, as reported by Deadline.
The show, executive produced by Kenya Barris (Black-ish), was notable for featuring the first all-black sketch team from the Uprights Citizen Brigade. UCB is famous sketch house in New York City, notable for breaking such talented comic actors as Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon to name a few. Daniel Powell (Inside Amy Schumer, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) served as the series show-runner.
In 2014, the Astronomy Club sketch group formed at UCB New York and built a reputation for their unique comic voice that did not shy away from racial topics such as discrimination and activism. The show featured performers: Shawtane Bowen, Jonathan Braylock (How to be Single), Ray Cordova (Yes And…), James III (Black Mirror), Caroline Martin (Happy-Go-Lucky), Jerah Milligan (Broad City), Monique Moses (Alex is Black), and Keisha Zollar (Divorce).
During its first season, The Astronomy Club was a critical darling with a score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and an 85% audience score.
While the cast and crew knew of their cancellation since February, the news came during a difficult time of race-relations for the country that is mourning the death of George Floyd.
James III revealed the news on Twitter:
Regardless of the show’s future, the move has been interpreted as a lack of investment on Netflix’s part in shows by people of color. Many fans hope the club will be able to meet again on another network.
In response to a fan planning to write to Netflix in favor of the show, James the III was encouraging:
While the news disappointed many fans, some members of the cast sounded a more optimistic note. Jonathan Braylock tweeted:
The cast’s words leave fans of The Astronomy Club with the hope that show may live on, if not on another network, then perhaps on stage at UCB.