After two seasons on Peacock, the single-cam comedy Rutherford Falls has been canceled. Starring Ed Helms, Jana Schmieding, Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh, and Dustin Milligan, the show is considered the first breakthrough comedy featuring an Indigenous showrunner, actors, and writers.
Rutherford Falls was co-created by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms and Mike Schur. Ornelas is Navajo and incorporated five Indigenous writers into the 12 person writing room, including herself, Jana Schmieding, Bobby Wilson, Tazbah Chavez, and Tai Leclaire. Schmieding would end up staring in the comedy as Reagan Wells with Helms as Nathan Rutherford. Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh, and Dustin Milligan rounded out the lead cast. But the show gave us so many more extraordinary characters, utilizing the hidden talent of Indigenous actors from across the United States and Canada.
Ornelas said in a statement that the show would be shopped around for a new home:
“It’s been a true joy to make these two seasons of Rutherford Falls. Mike Schur, Ed Helms and I set out to make something new, real, and smart—but also dumb—that made you cry and think, but also laugh when Reagan got kicked in the face or Nathan was stuffed into a coffin. Borrowing a line from Terry Thomas, played by the ridiculously talented Michael Greyeyes, before our show, “Native representation [was], for the most part, a hate crime.” Which is why it’s been an honor to introduce the best of Indian Country to the masses.
We remain overwhelmed by the critical response, garnering a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score in our second season, and while we’re sad that our time at Peacock has come to an end we are immensely grateful to them for picking us up and showcasing the talents of comedy legend Ed Helms and breakout stars like Jana Schmieding, Jesse Leigh, Dana Wilson, Dallas Goldtooth, Kaniehtiio Horn, and many others. We love these characters, the world we created, and the impact it has had, and will be exploring other platforms where, hopefully, the folks of Rutherford Falls can call home.”
The series proved to be a hit both with critics and audiences alike with a mix of humor and social commentary. Season 2 premiered back on June 16. Although Rutherford Falls is done, you can still stream Rutherford Falls on Peacock.
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