'The Killing' is axed -- again -- by AMC; no Season 4

‘The Killing’ is axed -- again -- by AMC; no Season 4

By Greg Braxton

Sept. 10, 2013 7:31 PM PT

The third time was not the charm for “The Killing.”

The moody AMC detective drama, which returned for a third season after being canceled by the network, has been canceled again, ending the hopes for a fourth season.

“We have made the difficult decision not to move forward with a fourth season of ‘The Killing,’ ” said a statement from the network. “We want to thank our great partners at Fox Television Studios, creator Veena Sud, an extraordinary cast and the dedicated fans who watched.”

The announcement indicates that the curtain has fallen for good on the drama, which has been plagued since the end of its at first critically acclaimed initial season by declining ratings and a mutiny by once-supportive critics and fans when its central mystery -- the grisly murder of young Rosie Larsen -- was left unsolved until Season 2.

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AMC canceled the show at the end of the second season, but it was resurrected by network officials who remained passionate about the series. A third season was launched in June by Sud, featuring the two original leads, Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, who played ill-matched homicide investigators.

The season featured a new mystery, focusing on a grisly series of murders and its connection with a band of wayward teens living by their wits on the streets of Seattle.

AMC’s statement did not indicate the reason behind the cancellation.

Fox Television Studios executives said in a statement that it was “extremely proud of all three seasons of ‘The Killing.’... While we would have loved to produce a fourth season for AMC, FTVS is immensely grateful to everyone involved with this moving series.”

The statement concluded, “Most of all, FTVS thanks the terrific fans of ‘The Killing,’ who communicated their appreciation for the show throughout its run.”

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