The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance axed from Netflix after Emmy win

In an unexpected move, Netflix has pulled a fantasy series from its schedule after just one season, only days after the show scored an Emmy.

In a huge surprise to fantasy fans, Netflix has cancelled its eerie seriesThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance after a single season.

The news comes just days after the show took home the Emmy for best children’s series.

It is one of many short-lived series’ cancelled by the streaming service in 2020.

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Intricately-designed kid’s series Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is no more. Picture: Netflix

The show was a prequel series to the original 1982 Jim Henson film of the same name, and boasted a stellar voice cast of Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nathalie Emmanuel.

Stars including Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Natalie Dormer, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mark Strong, Alicia Vikander, Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs, Keegan-Michael Key, Simon Pegg and Andy Samberg also featured.

Executive producer Lisa Henson said of the cancellation: “We can confirm that there will not be an additional season of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

“We know fans are eager to learn how this chapter of The Dark Crystal saga concludes and we’ll look for ways to tell that story in the future,” she said.

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Her statement went on to hint the program wasn’t given time to grow its audience.

“Our company has a legacy of creating rich and complex worlds that require technical innovation, artistic excellence, and masterful storytelling,” Ms Henson said.

“Our history also includes productions that are enduring, often finding and growing their audience over time and proving again and again that fantasy and science fiction genres reflect eternal messages and truths that are always relevant.

“We are so grateful to Netflix for trusting us to realise this ambitious series; we are deeply proud of our work on Age of Resistance, and the acclaim it has received from fans, critics and our peers, most recently receiving an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program.”

British actor Nathalie Emmanuel voiced Deet in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Picture: Supplied.

A Netflix spokesperson thanked the cast and crew behind the show, congratulating them for their win on Monday.

“We are grateful to the master artists at The Jim Henson Company for bringing ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ to life for fans around the world,” added a Netflix spokesperson. “We’re thankful to the executive producers Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford, and Louis Leterrier, who also directed all episodes, as well as the writers, cast and crew for their outstanding work and thrilled they were recognised with the Emmy this weekend.”

Louis Leterrier directed and executive produced Age of Resistance alongside Henson and Halle Stanford. The puppetry was brought to life by The Jim Henson Company, which also produced the show.

Rian in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Picture: Netflix.

The character was voiced by Rocketman star Taron Egerton. Picture: Getty Images.

It remains unclear why the series wasn’t renewed, but some have speculated it was due to a delay in production.

According to Digital Spy, the opening season took several years to prepare, including the building of puppets and environments. It was understood a second season would take longer than Netflix’s traditional 12-month window to be ready.

As reported by Gizmodo , despite its awards success, the series was also considered a miss for the streaming platform, with an unnamed source telling the Hollywood Reporter earlier this month that Age of Resistance was referred to as an “expensive disappointment”.

The series joins a list of short-lived Netflix shows including Altered Carbon (two seasons), The Society and I Am Not Okay With This – both of which had second-season renewals halted amid the pandemic.

Turn Up Charlie, Messiah, Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show and Soundtrack are also among the one-season wonders of the service.

Idris Elba stars in Netflix drama Turn Up Charlie. Picture: Netflix

Earlier this year, fans were shocked to learn fellow fantasy series Chilling Adventures of Sabrinawould be canned after part four.

The service also announced final seasons for Ozark, The Kominsky Method and Dead to Me in July.

The first and only season of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is currently available to stream on Netflix.