February 27, 2017
After 2 Episodes, CBS Cancels 'Doubt' Starring Laverne Cox
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
CBS's new legal drama "Doubt," starring Katherine Heigl and Laverne Cox, was canceled over the weekend after airing just two episodes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In its place, the broadcast network will re-air an episode of "Bull" Wednesday at 10 p.m. on March 1. After that, "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders" will take over in the time start beginning March 8.
Although production finished on all 13 episodes of "Doubt," THR writes it's unclear when or if the remaining 11 episodes will ever air. Sources told the publication the show could return, but it is not currently scheduled.
Not only did "Doubt" get bad reviews from critics, but it opened with terrible ratings, putting just a 0.8 rating among adults ages 18-49. In its second week, it fell further, dipping to a 0.6 rating. However, in total, it did pull 5.31 million and 4.03 million viewers in its respective first two episodes.
Nevertheless, "Doubt" was notable for becoming the first network series to show a trans actor in a feature role. The show's co-creators, married couple Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, spoke to The Advocate about casting Cox and opened up about their own transgender son.
"The fact that those kids can watch a show on CBS and see somebody who they haven't seen before - I think that's huge," Phelan said. "I don't discount that at all."
He went on to say that audiences become attached to characters and that having a trans star can bring people together.
"You spend time with them every week. You see them go through their trials and tribulations," Phelan added. "So I think that any kind of diversity, but especially diversity about gender identity and sexual orientation, on television, especially network television, is incredibly important."
Watch the trailer for "Doubt" below.
