The reports of Ransom’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Despite a flurry of media reports that CBS had axed the Luke Roberts fronted show, sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell me that it has in fact NOT been cancelled. I’m hearing that CBS has not made a decision one way or another and Ransom remains in contention for a second season pick up.
It looks like some of the confusion here may boil down to the fact that Ransom is, unlike CBS’ other shows, an international co-production with multiple commissioning partners (not just CBS). With four such partners having to sign on for a second season, securing a full green-light is taking longer than expected. I’m told two partners have signed on for season two and negotiations are on-going with the remaining partners to secure a renewal. While, admittedly, ratings were soft on CBS, I hear they believe in the show’s creative potential and are inclined to bring it back. Representatives of CBS did not immediately respond to TVWise’s request for comment.
Ransom follows crisis/hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont, whose team is brought in to save lives when no one else can. Eric understands criminals better than they do, and uses his insight into human behavior to resolve the most difficult kidnap and ransom cases. Despite the stakes, Eric refuses to resort to violence, even when confronted by some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. While Eric’s considerable powers of manipulation make him the best at what he does professionally, they often complicate his relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The series, which airs in the UK on Universal Channel, was created by Frank Spotnitz and David Vainola and is inspired by the professional experiences of distinguished negotiator Laurent Combalbert and his partner Marwan Mery, who are considered to be among the top crisis negotiators in the world. Ransom is produced by Big Light Productions, Entertainment One (eOne). Sienna Films and Wildcats Productions and stars Luke Roberts (Game Of Thrones), Brandon Jay McLaren (Falling Skies), Nazneen Contractor (Chicago PD) and Sarah Greene (Penny Dreadful).
