‘The Resident’ Bosses Explain Why Series Was Canceled After 6 Seasons

Jessica Lucas and Matt Czuchry in 'The Resident'
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Tom Griscom/FOX

Knowing what could have been, it makes us wish even more than we already did that there had been a Season 7 of The Resident. TV Insider recently spoke with co-creator Amy Holden Jones and executive producer Andrew Chapman about what would have happened next if the show had continued, and it included weddings, possible major returns, and so much more.

But instead, the medical drama only ran six seasons on Fox. It premiered in 2018, then what ended up being the series finale aired in January 2023. News of the cancellation came three months after the Season 6 finale, which was crafted by Jones and Chapman to also serve as a series ender, aired.

“The politics of it were very complicated because we were owned by a studio that was run by ABC but we were on the air on Fox, so that split made for very difficult contract negotiations every year,” Chapman tells TV Insider. He added that would’ve made a spinoff tough as well.

“The only reason we weren’t picked up is because Fox didn’t make money on the show because they didn’t own it,” adds Jones. “They’re sort of like AMC theaters that are showing the movie. Network television made all its money on advertising, and that money is going away. And so the money they have coming in, I mean, I think we were their second highest graded drama after 9-1-1. It’s not like we weren’t succeeding, but they weren’t making money.”

She notes how “frustrating” that was. “I specifically went and sold the show through 20th, which was then the studio of Fox at the time we sold it, just to avoid this problem,” she explains. “And after one season, Disney bought 20th and then we had all the trouble with that.”

The Resident, Complete Series, Streaming Now, Hulu & Netflix




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  1. G

    GoldPuzzle

    I binged watched all 6 seasons and love this show. Please someone pick it up and bring the resident back

    105

  2. R

    RedSeahorse

    Please Netflix bring The Resident back! Milions of fans will watch it! Season 7 and more please

    95

  3. P

    PurpleRing

    Loved this show watched it the first time on Fox. Always have been a fan of Matt’s. The show was exciting always had something new and of course there was enough romance to keep it interesting!

    30

  4. B

    BlueBeer

    Bring it back! Enough said!!!

    28

  5. G

    GoldMustache

    Loved the show, great acting, try to bring it back

    24

  6. C

    CyanAirBalloon

    "Season 6 finale was crafted by Jones and Chapman to also serve as a series ender". Kudos to Jones & Chapman for that. If I consider a show good, I DON'T need a cliffhanger to motivate me to watch the next season. If I don't consider a show good, then even if I foolishly decide to give the show till the end of the season before I opt totally out, no cliffhanger is gonna make me watch the next season. AND I'll be less likely to trust the show runners -- or, even more so, the network that offered it -- about anything else they produce/offer after their current baby is dead. C'mon, people, in this era when networks mostly don't give a flying flip about fan loyalty if doesn't convert into the net bottom line they're looking for, get back to writing a show's season finales that can close its arc and serve your fans as series finales if TPTB get too greedy. You'll make fans of your work a lot happier...AND more willing to trust that your next venture won't leave us in the lurch either.

    17

  7. B

    Bradley Scott Hicks

    Problem with the series was the time jump. It really felt off after that and pretty much sealed the fate. Also the killing off main characters and jumping the shark in many cases hurt as well. Almost turned it into a Fox version of Grey's.

    16 3

    1. P

      PurplePuzzle

      You might want to read the article before you comment.

      3

  8. R

    RedLobster

    I’m more than excited to see the spin off with Beth and Rip. I only hope I live long enough to see it. I’m 82 and loved the series. I couldn’t get enough of it. Please hurry and get it done.

    11 3

  9. D

    Davin Peterson

    Disney, which owns ABC, had bought 20th Century Studios from FOX.

    So when FOX airs shows produced by 20th Century, it is more expensive for them.

    This is probably the main reason FOX cancelled the Resident, 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star

    7 1

    1. B

      BlueLocomotive

      Yes, this is exactly what the article said, that Disney bought 20th Century Studio. 9-1-1 has definitely NOT been cancelled!!!

      1

      1. G

        GreenSushi

        Actually FOX did cancel 9-1-1 after season 6. Then, immediately after, ABC picked it up for season 7 and later. So, there was a very brief moment where the show was actually cancelled and news outlets had reported it as such alongside the ABC pickup.

  10. O

    Olive8Ball

    Loved this show. One of the best!

    4

  11. G

    GreenPretzel

    Bring back the Resident, please!!!!!! It was such a great show. I am bummed I only found out about it on Netflix. But it was great to binge!

    4

  12. O

    OrangeWeights

    The show was fantastic and I wish some station would pick up where it left off. My husband is in the medical field and the show held his attention well.

    3

  13. B

    BluePlanet

    I would love to see this show come back. Made me feel like apart of their family just from watching it because that’s how everyone is in the show together. Definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and would be more than ecstatic to see it return. BRING IT BACK!!!

    2

  14. A

    Annie

    Omg this show is amazing, binged it all for a second time. The show needs to be continued and with the actors we all love. I want to see Conrads new love story continue

    1

  15. G

    GreenCoffee

    Hope they'll resume this show...

    1

  16. B

    BluePaw

    My family and I binged watched as well. We lloved the characters and were really disappointed when it ended. After a long day at work, it was exciting to come home and watch would happen next with our favorite characters. So sad it ended

    1

  17. P

    PurpleLeaf

    I’ve watched all seasons, and loved it. I wish that they started more seasons

    1

  18. C

    CD

    Recently found it on Netflix. I was hooked early on and watched all 6 seasons. I am going to miss those characters. I felt like I knew them personally. It was both informative and entertaining. That smile on Matt would have had me coming back for many seasons.

  19. R

    Robin stout

    O i loved this series best ive seen in years ,great actors, I was in the medical field for years loved it this show had heart soul family . Crazy it hasn't made more series. It had lots of good real life in it. Health,family,friends ,work. Just a good god show to .

  20. C

    CEast

    Netflix please pick this show up! It's a money maker.

  21. L

    Lamonda77

    Canceling of this show was the worst decision. I binge watched this series and was very disappointed when it cancelled it was an amazing show.

  22. B

    Bleck

    It turned into the conrad and nic show. BORING. All his so called smoldering looks and her simpering 3 emotion nonsense.. then when it was YES no more Nic, it turned into the gigi show. And so much of the show simply had wrong information…poor writing..

  23. R

    RedSushi

    I love this show and are unhappy they are cancelling it.

  24. R

    RedPlane

    Why did they end it the way they did??? Horrible way to end the show. Bring it back 😭

  25. G

    GoldBattery

    Loved the show. Please bring it back!

  26. C

    CyanBasketball

    I loved it too. I've just finished watching it through for the 3rd time

  27. P

    PurpleChilli

    Make another season or at least a spinoff with the same cast! I just loved the whole show. Please bring it back

  28. A

    Allison Williams

    It will not be brought back for all the reasons plainly stated. Besides, by this time all the characters would be eligible for retirement.

    1 2

    1. B

      BlueLocomotive

      Umm, exactly NO reasons were stated, plainly or otherwise lol about why this show couldn't be brought back, like picked up by someone else!! Those were reasons why it was cancelled back then!!! 🤦‍♀️ By this time, so you think in the course of TWO YEARS, that everyone would be retiring now??? Hahaha!!!! 😂😂

      2

      1. A

        Allison Williams

        It’s only been 2 years? I swear I watched it about 10 years ago!

  29. O

    OliveTooth

    Good riddens, people need to worry about the world more and tv shows less anyways

    3