4 Reasons Why ACOTAR’s Cancellation at Hulu Isn’t All Bad

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Alright. Let’s talk ACOTAR, otherwise known as A Court of Thornes and Roses.

It’s no secret that my love for reading has been rekindled over the past couple of years. The buzz around popular BookTok books and upcoming book-to-screen adaptations really sparked my interest, and naturally, one of the series I dived into was ACOTAR.

Due to its massive growth, it was officially announced that an ACOTAR TV series was being developed by Hulu. Unfortunately, after years of production difficulties, it appears that Hulu has decided to cancel the project. Now, author Sarah J. Maas is looking for a new streaming platform or channel to potentially take it up instead.

It’s not surprising that some fans were disappointed by this news. Frankly, there hadn’t been much new information for quite some time, which made me feel like something was bound to happen eventually. Of course, when a popular series gets cancelled, it’s normal to feel a bit melancholic about it. Long-time ACOTAR fans have every right to be affected by this development.

Indeed, allow me to express my sentiments on the matter. Far from being disheartened, I find myself pleasantly optimistic. If you share curiosity about the future of this beloved franchise, let me assure you, there’s no need for remorse. Instead, here are four compelling reasons why we have every reason to look forward—and, as it happens, so do I.

Hulu’s Track Record Isn’t Necessarily Great

Here are some truly outstanding Hulu series that I’ve grown quite fond of. A number of them have left a lasting impression on me. Ranging from “The Great” to “The Bear”, there are some truly impressive choices available.

But let’s be honest: Hulu’s track record isn’t necessarily excellent.

Is it comparable to how frequently Netflix cancels shows? Not at all. However, I must confess that as someone who has indulged in numerous Hulu series, there have been instances when a show was terminated prematurely (such as The Great), or a series persisted far beyond its prime and strayed from the initial objective of the first season (like The Handmaid’s Tale, which perhaps should not have continued for so many seasons).

As a movie lover, I’ve noticed that sometimes, Hulu struggles to wrap up a tale neatly. Don’t get me wrong, their miniseries often shine and deserve all the accolades they receive. However, their extended series spanning multiple seasons can occasionally fall short or linger on beyond their prime, seemingly driven more by popularity than artistic conclusion.

A notable instance could be referred to as “Shogun Season 2”. The initial season of the series garnered critical acclaim and turned out to be a massive success on Hulu (under the FX on Hulu agreement). It was subsequently renewed for a second installment, yet I find myself apprehensive, as I’m unsure how much more can be explored within this narrative. The first season concluded in many aspects so profoundly that one might wonder how the storyline will progress further.

It appears that the complexity and expanding elements of the series “ACOTAR“, including its world building, romance, and fantasy elements, could have been overwhelming for Hulu. In my opinion, it was wise of the streaming service to refrain from pursuing this project.

ACOTAR Would Do Better At Another, More Adult-Centric, Channel – Like HBO

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess, the ACOTAR series doesn’t veer into overtly mature territory – the spice elements are minimal and not overly explicit. However, its adult themes and complex narratives make it unsuitable for a family-friendly platform like Hulu.

Let me clarify: You’ll find a lot of mature content on that platform. It’s not that Hulu restricts such content, but other streaming services seem to have more leeway in terms of what they can show compared to Hulu.

Like Max, for example.

It’s quite plausible that ACOTAR might surpass other fantasy series and become a huge success if it were produced by HBO or Max. The visual effects could be masterfully executed, and the magical elements could be enhanced. The casting would undoubtedly be outstanding, given their exceptional track record for selecting top-tier talent in these productions.

Despite not being at Max, ACOTAR could also find success on platforms like Amazon Prime. After all, Amazon boasts an impressive pool of resources. In fact, they’re already working on adapting a substantial fantasy series – “Fourth Wing”. If they were to explore further into the realm of magic and fae, this might just be the opportunity they’ve been seeking.

Either way, Hulu isn’t the right streamer for it, and I’ll stand by that.

The Series Doesn’t Even Need To Be Live-Action For It To Be Successful

Each time I hop onto TikTok and feast my eyes on fan art depicting characters from ACOTAR, it’s striking to see that there’s a remarkable lack of consensus among fans regarding which actors would be ideal for the roles, particularly the Bat Boys (Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel). It seems everyone has their own unique vision!

But, who says that it needs to be live-action? Why can’t it be animated?

I strongly support the notion that animation is an enchanting form for storytelling in movies and television series. Among the shows that have left a profound impact on me throughout my life, two stand out – “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “Attack on Titan”. Both of these animated masterpieces conveyed extraordinary narratives.

You realize that, don’t you? That idea might be more suitable for this kind of project. Introducing magical elements in live-action can be quite challenging, if not downright impossible to make them appear realistic and avoid the overly dramatic or comical effect. Although I appreciate the live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender, some aspects of bending just don’t seem genuine or visually satisfying enough for me. On the other hand, animation never poses that problem.

As a passionate cinephile, I acknowledge that animated series can sometimes prolong the wait for new seasons, such as with the outstanding “Arcane” on Netflix. However, I firmly believe that animation could truly bring the enchanting world of “ACOTAR” to life in an extraordinary way.

We Need The Next Book – Let’s Not Have A GOT Situation

I, with my entire heart, do not want a Game of Thrones situation with ACOTAR.

A common concern among fans of television shows based on popular book series is that not all books have been published yet. There are two more unpublished novels in the “Fourth Wing” series, and although a TV show is under development, the books won’t be available for some time. Author Rebecca Yarros has mentioned that the fourth book will be released by the time the TV show premieres, but it remains uncertain when the fifth book will be published.

I’m not keen on seeing ACOTAR compromised in its narrative quality, given how deeply cherished this series is by both readers and authors. It would be a great disappointment if the creators ran out of source material, leading to subpar storytelling similar to what some felt occurred with Game of Thrones towards its end.

Despite all the praise for the last season, I must admit it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. To be honest, there were some parts in Season 7 that felt a bit lackluster. I certainly hope we can avoid such situations here.

The most recent installment in the series – “A Court of Silver Flames” – came out in 2021. Since then, Maas has published two books within the “Crescent City” series. She’s hinted at working on the sixth book for the “ACOTAR” series, but there’s another book and a novella yet to be written, so it remains unclear how long we might have to wait.

All I want is a well-done TV show with complete source material. Is that too much to ask?

Although it seems like we’re waiting an eternity for the next installment of this series, I’m not worried at all. With a plethora of TV shows, fantasies in books and films, there’s always something fresh to watch that will keep you entertained without ever feeling bored.

I’d rather see Maas carefully pick the perfect spot for her series, instead of hastily placing it somewhere else. If this requires a 500-year wait, like Rhysand might do, I’m more than willing to oblige.

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2025-03-01 19:15