The Sticky, a Canadian comedy series that premiered on Prime Video in December 2024, has been canceled after just one season. The series, which centered on the infamous 2012 maple syrup heist in Quebec, managed to draw praise from critics but failed to capture a significant audience, leading to its early termination. This decision highlights an ongoing trend within the streaming industry, where shows with niche appeal are often given shorter lifespans.
The Sticky offered a quirky take on the maple syrup heist, a true crime event that captured the world's attention when millions of dollars' worth of syrup were stolen from a warehouse in Quebec. The show followed Ruth Landry (played by Margo Martindale), a maple syrup farmer who finds herself entangled in a criminal plot to protect her livelihood. Martindale, renowned for her roles in Justified and The Americans, brought a gravitas to the series, making it more than just another crime caper.
The series boasted an impressive supporting cast, including Chris Diamantopoulos, Guillaume Cyr, and a memorable guest appearance by Jamie Lee Curtis. The writing, created by Brian Donovan and Ed Herro, blended humor with dark themes, drawing some comparisons to other dramedies, but with a unique setting and premise.
Despite receiving positive feedback from critics, with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show didn't find the audience Prime Video had hoped for. In a world where streaming platforms continually adjust their offerings based on viewership and subscriber data, this wasn't enough to secure a future for the show.
The Sticky's cancellation is part of a larger pattern within the streaming world, where many half-hour comedies are facing the axe after just one season. The trend of cutting shows early is due to various factors, including the high costs associated with developing content and lower viewer retention rates for certain genres. Comedy series, which typically require a more extended development cycle and testing to develop a fanbase, are often among the first to be dropped when they don't perform at the level expected by their platform.
The cancellation also reflects a shift towards a preference for more genre-heavy series with larger potential fan bases or more formulaic offerings that are easier to execute. Platforms like Prime Video, which have historically had a diverse content slate, seem to be prioritizing efficiency and high-reward investments over niche projects that have limited but passionate followings.
The Sticky was produced by Blumhouse Television, Curtis’ Comet Pictures, Megamix, and Sphere Media. The series was developed by Brian Donovan and Ed Herro, who served as executive producers and showrunners. Though The Sticky had great potential with its unique premise and talented cast, it couldn’t overcome the increasingly competitive nature of streaming content.
In a statement, Prime Video confirmed the cancellation, citing that despite the critical acclaim and unique premise, the series had not garnered enough viewership to justify a second season.
Although The Sticky won’t be returning for a second season, it has found its place in the niche world of beloved one-season wonders. Fans of the series may continue to advocate for its return in some form, whether through a revival on another platform or a limited series that explores other parts of the maple syrup heist story.
For now, The Sticky serves as another example of the unpredictable nature of streaming content, where even well-received shows can disappear if they fail to meet the metrics that drive platform decisions. As the streaming industry continues to evolve, shows like The Sticky may find new life in unexpected places, but for now, the sweet, syrup-filled crime drama has come to an end.
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