As its small pool of viewers expected, "Looking" will not receive a third season. The dramedy, which chronicles a group of gay pals in San Francisco, will instead bow with a "special," HBO announced Wednesday.
Following two seasons of low ratings, author Kevin Sessums took to Facebook on Tuesday to say the show's star, Jonathan Groff, had informed him HBO would make a "Looking" movie in lieu of renewing the show. The network's official statement, released the morning after Sessums' revelation, reads thusly:
After two years of following Patrick and his tight-knit group of friends as they explored San Francisco in search of love and lasting relationships, HBO will present the final chapter of their journey as a special. We look forward to sharing this adventure with the shows loyal fans.
Sunday's season finale pulled in a paltry 298,000 viewers, a steep dip from the 425,000 people who tuned in for last year's closer. HBO, whose subscription-based services ensure it is not as dependent on overnight ratings as advertising-reliant broadcast networks, has proven that earning a third season is a show's true test. The acclaimed Laura Dern vehicle "Enlightened" was axed after its second run, while six final episodes will usher out the similarly low-rated "Getting On" later this year. "Hello Ladies," on the other hand, lasted one season before also receiving a television movie.