Why is The Old Man canceled after season 2? Everything you need to know

The Old Man, an American drama-thriller television series, is based on Thomas Perry's 2017 novel. Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine created the series, which aired on FX on June 16, 2022, with a seven-episode first season.

Available on Prime Video, the TV show is about a former CIA officer who is compelled to confront his past. After being revived for a second season on September 12, 2024, the series was discontinued in December 2024, after two seasons.

The Old Man was canceled by FX after two seasons. Delays caused the program, which was well-reviewed and nominated for awards, to suffer. This includes the 2023 strikes and Jeff Bridges' cancer. Lower viewership as a result of the many season breaks led to the cancellation.

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More about The Old Man getting canceled after season 2

The Old Man will no longer air after two seasons. This is according to FX. Jeff Bridges plays a former CIA agent in the series. It received positive reviews in 2022 and some accolades for its captivating plot and outstanding performances. This was especially those of Bridges and John Lithgow. Due to its popularity, the first season garnered two Emmy nominations and a devoted following.

However, the production of The Old Man encountered various difficulties. The first season was delayed due to the COVID-19 epidemic and Jeff Bridges' cancer diagnosis. Despite these delays, the series finally premiered and did well. The second season, however, was delayed once more, this time by the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, resulting in a lengthy hiatus between seasons.

The Old Man trailer (Image via Youtube/@Disney Australia & New Zealand)

When season two began in September 2024, it struggled to equal the first season's viewership. Although the program continued to garner great reviews and was nominated for many Critics' Choice Awards, the lengthy delay between seasons resulted in a decrease in viewer participation.

Although FX has not given a thorough explanation for the cancellation, the decision was probably motivated by the mix of production delays and the effect on ratings. The network's decision to cancel the series may have been influenced by the difficulties in maintaining viewer interest after such a lengthy break.

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Cast of The Old Man

The series' cast is led by Jeff Bridges, who plays Dan Chase, a man with numerous identities, including Henry Dixon, Johnny Kohler, Peter Caldwell, and Lou Barlow. In the first season, E. J. Bonilla plays Raymond Waters, while John Lithgow plays Harold Harper, the principal character. Bill Heck and Leem Lubany play young versions of Johnny Kohler and Belour Hamzad, with Lubany returning for season 2.

An important part of the plot is played by Alia Shawkat as Angela Adams, Emily Chase, and Parwana Hamzad. Amy Brenneman plays Zoe McDonald, while Gbenga Akinnagbe plays Julian Carson. Jacqueline Antaramian and Navid Negahban join the cast in season 2 as Khadija and Faraz Hamzad, respectively. In the first season, Hiam Abbass also plays Belour Hamzad (née Daadfar).

Jessica Harper stars as Cheryl Harper, Rade Serbedzija as Suleyman Pavlovic, and Janet McTeer as Marion in season two. Other prominent guests include Nelson Franklin, Faran Tahir, and Ana Mulvoy-Ten. These performers, both in key and supporting parts, add to the series' captivating storyline by delivering great performances that propel the complicated plot throughout the seasons.