Fox Drama ‘Almost Family’ Canceled After Multiple Scandals
After just one season, Fox canceled the hour-long drama, Almost Family. The news comes after sexual assault allegations came to light against one of the cast members. There hasn’t been a firm confirmation whether the allegations are tied to the cancellation. Here’s what we know about the situation.
‘Almost Family’ Season 1 had an interesting storyline
The Fox drama series, Almost Family, followed a prize-winning fertility doctor, Leon, played by Timothy Hutton. His character used his “genetic material” to impregnate dozens of patients, which caused at least a dozen pregnancies.
The show, loosely based on the Australian version of the same theme, starred Brittany Snow as the doctor’s daughter, Julia Bechley. Snow’s character became the whistleblower of sorts amidst her father’s scandal.
Julia connected with two newly-discovered half-siblings. The sisters, played by Emily Osment and Megalyn Echikunwoke, all tried to find their footing, together.
The official synopsis, in part, said: “Against all odds, the three women will attempt to form an untraditional bond as sisters, even as they must welcome a tidal wave of new siblings into their rapidly expanding family.”
Other stars included Mo McRae, Mustafa Elzein and Victoria Cartagena.
The cancellation of ‘Almost Family’ comes amid sexual assault allegations
While the timing of the cancellation of Almost Family may be coincidental, BuzzFeed News originally broke the news of Fox’s decision on March 2 to axe the show hours after sexual assault allegations surfaced. The detailed account is graphic and disturbing in nature.
The allegations stem from Canadian model and actress, Sera Johnston who accused Hutton of “raping her in a Vancouver hotel in 1983,” according to the website. Johnston was 14 years old at the time of the alleged incident.
Hutton’s lawyer told BuzzFeed News the actor “completely and unequivocally” denies the accusations. Furthermore, Hutton said this is all “patently false and designed only to extort money from him.”
Both BuzzFeed and The Wrap reached out for comment regarding whether the accusations had anything to do with the show’s cancellation, but as of now, no word.
Despite the controversy surrounding Hutton, Fox had already removed Almost Family from its lineup after the Jan. 15 episode, with a season 1 finale airing Feb 22. The timing is curious but could be a coincidence.
Ratings and content may have played a part in the cancellation
Despite the controversy, Almost Family, which premiered Oct. 1, 2019, didn’t have the best ratings. According to Nielson’s “most current” data, the show earned a 0.7 rating with adults 18-49, which is 2.5 million viewers.
When the show returned from winter hiatus in Jan., it aired three weeks for three weeks before the network pushed the final two episodes to a different day. That usually means the end.
We don’t know if the two are related as of yet, but it doesn’t look like the show would’ve lasted much longer anyhow — especially since it made TVLine’s 2019 list of “worst TV shows. We’ll update accordingly if any new information comes to light.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
