‘Vinyl’ canceled by HBO despite early renewal for Season 2

HBO has abandoned plans for a second season of its ’70s rock-steeped drama “Vinyl,” despite announcing the renewal back in February.

“After careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of VINYL,” read a statement from HBO. “Obviously, this was not an easy decision. We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.”

On the surface, “Vinyl” had all the hallmarks of becoming HBO’s next prestige drama series. Its executive producers included Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese (who directed the first episode), and the cast was led by Emmy-winner Bobby Cannavale as a record executive attempting to revive his label. Terence Winter, who created “Boardwalk Empire” and was a writer for “The Sopranos,” was also on board as co-creator of “Vinyl.”

But the series struggled to make a strong impression on audiences and critics, earning a 71% score on the review aggregation site Metacritic. “Given that it’s a series, there is room for character development and growth,” wrote L.A. Times critic Robert Lloyd when the series premiered. “Still, one might reasonably wonder why we are here.”

HBO announced the series had been renewed for a second season after “Vinyl” premiered in February, but Winter departed after what were described as creative differences heading into production. Scott Z. Burns, screenwriter of “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Informant!,” was slated to take over for the second season.

Follow me @chrisbarton.

ALSO:

‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ and ‘Mr. Robot’ top TCA Award nominations

‘American Gothic’ explores a wealthy family torn apart by suspicion one of them is a serial killer

‘American Crime’ mastermind John Ridley wants viewers to face ‘what’s going on in their own backyard’

TV is the new radio: ‘Empire,’ ‘Vinyl’ and late night talk shows provide wall-to-wall music