Apple TV has decided to cancel “The Last Frontier,” a series that showed promise but ultimately failed to captivate audiences during its initial season. The show garnered disappointing ratings, reflected in its 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 50% on the audience-facing Popcornmeter. Given these numbers, the cancellation comes as little surprise.
“The Last Frontier” featured Jason Clarke in the role of U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick, tasked with overseeing the remote and desolate stretches of Alaska. The plot began with an intriguing premise: a prison transport plane crashes in his jurisdiction, releasing a host of dangerous criminals. As Remnick delves deeper, he suspects foul play, uncovering a potentially deadly plot that threatens both his community and the wilderness he protects.
Despite the show’s interesting concept and strong cast, which included Haley Bennett, Dominic Cooper, and Johnny Knoxville, it failed to deliver a compelling narrative. Critics noted a disconnect between the show’s potential and its execution. David Oprie of Empire Magazine remarked that the series started strong but faltered in the middle, describing it as slow and disappointing. Similarly, Chris Joyce from Movies and Munchies criticized the final episodes for veering into predictability, which diminished the initial excitement.
Conversely, not all feedback was negative. Graeme Blundell from The Australian praised the production quality and the efficient orchestration of its many elements, likening it to “The Blacklist,” another show created by Jon Bokenkamp. Audience reactions varied; while some fans enjoyed the narrative’s twists, others found it convoluted and lacking in depth.
The cancellation of “The Last Frontier” highlights the challenges faced by new series in a competitive streaming landscape, where audiences expect both engaging storytelling and rich character development.