Prime Video just canceled the police drama On Call, but there’s a chance this series could find a new home elsewhere. The question is where it could go.
Prime Video doesn’t get the buzz of other streamers like Netflix, but has been home to some good crime shows. A notable one in 20245 was On Call, produced by Dick Wolf. Surely, a cop show from the producer of the Law & Order, FBI and One Chicago franchises deserved a watch.
Sadly, not enough people watched the show in its eight-episode run. Deadline confirms that the series has been canceled after just one season. This seems surprising as the series (which dropped all episodes on January 9) reached #1 on the viewing list with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, the article also says the show is being shopped around and, reportedly, at least two other streamers are interested in it. That would be good, as the series deserves more attention from viewers.
The show stars Troian Bellisario as Traci Harmon, a veteran LAPD training officer. The series kicks off in a dramatic way with a cop (played by Chicago Fire’s Monica Raymund) being shot dead. As the LAPD hunts for the killer, Traci has to take on rookie cop Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente), who has his own secrets.
Each half-hour episode followed Harmon and Diaz on the job with scenes shot from body cams. There was also the overall arc of hunting for that cop killer and the personal lives of the characters. It seemed a good show, so why was it axed?
Why was On Call canceled?
The show’s cancellation is a surprise. As noted, the show had good viewing numbers and was not expensive to produce. Deadline reports that Amazon approached the producers a few months ago with a proposal for a two-season renewal that seemed a done deal.
However, the stumbling block was Amazon wanting to reduce the premium on the series, which is how a streaming show makes its profit. The fact that On Call was produced by Universal Television added to the issues.
Amazon claimed to have lost money on the show (a common claim with streamers), with Wolf Entertainment and Universal refusing. The parting seems amicable.
Can On Call be saved?
It appears the producers are trying to shop the show around. Not surprisingly, a top contender is Peacock, which already has scores of Wolf shows already and this would fit nicely.
As the show only has half-hour episodes, it’d be easier to produce and Peacock has had great success with half-hour dramedies. Indeed, Wolf reportedly planned for On Call to start its own franchise of half-hour dramas and Peacock could certainly enjoy having one.
An original police series would fit well for Peacock and the show wouldn't have to adjust its adult content much. Peacock can also provide a better budget while still keeping the show's stories working.
So far, the talks are only in the early stages, and no word on whether it could happen. However, it would be good for this underrated police drama to get a second chance and continue to deliver a fast-paced police drama for a new home.
On Call season 1 is available to stream on Prime Video.