Station 19’s New Showrunners Reveal How They Learned ABC Had Swung the Axe — and ‘Through Waves of Tears’ Told the Firehouse Fam
Charlie Mason
Editor
Having come to love Station 19 as much as and sometimes even more than Grey’s Anatomy, the series from which it was spun, I approached TVLine’s interview with new showrunners Zoanne Clack and Peter Paige with mixed feelings. On one hand, I was delighted, as I was as eager as any overenthusiastic viewer to find out what they have in store. On the other, I was horrified, as the first-responders drama’s Season 7 premiere would mark the beginning of the end: In December, ABC turned the hose on the show, announcing that its next 10 episodes would be its last.
“We are also delighted and horrified” to be doing this Q&A, Clack says as we get underway. “And deeply, deeply sad,” adds Paige. Here, the tag team takes us through the fateful day that they found out Station 19 was being forcibly finished just when they were getting started.
TVLINE | So how did the powers that be break the news to you? “Welcome, new showrunners… and also, the show is cancelled”?
PETER PAIGE | Pretty much like that.
ZOANNE CLACK | We were what, two days into shooting the new episodes? And we got the call.
PAIGE | I was at home. Weren’t you, too?
CLACK | No! I was on a panel, in front of, like, 100 people. I kept getting calls, and I finally texted and said, “Is this important? I’m in front of people!” And they were like, “OK, you can wait.” And you know how sometimes after a panel people want to talk to you? [I didn’t do that,] I just got on the phone and then I was told. I called Peter as soon as I heard and was like, “Why did this happen?” as I’m driving to Disney.
PAIGE | Basically, we got the news and were like, “Get the cast in, get the writers, get the crew assembled… Make sure they’re all going to meet us at lunch!” Then we raced, raced, raced to tell them before there were any leaks. We wanted to make sure they heard it from us.
TVLINE | Were you able to beat the news?
PAIGE | By, like, three minutes!
TVLINE | So you were actually able to tell everybody face to face? This wasn’t like the world’s saddest Zoom call?
PAIGE | No, it was the world’s saddest in-person meeting. We managed to do it all in person.
CLACK | We had a very interesting back and forth, Peter and I, trying to get out all the information through waves of tears.
PAIGE | And I’m racing over the hills. I’d yanked on pants, because I was working on a rewrite or something…
TVLINE | And nobody does that with pants on.
PAIGE | Let’s admit it. In the post-COVID era, wearing pants for work is overrated.
CLACK | That’s why pajama pants were invented!
PAIGE | [This was also] the day I got the call about Good Trouble ending, so it was really quite a day! [Ed. Note: Paige co-created the Freeform series.]
TVLINE | What had to kinda fall by the wayside or get accelerated to wrap things up in just 10 episodes?
PAIGE | We definitely had some story ideas that we had to let go of. Like, there was a really complex arson storyline that we’d never done on the show. We had to say, “OK, well, that’s going to be a Season Never story.”
CLACK | Yeah, there were a lot of things that we were thinking would be leading into Season 8. It was like, “OK, either we don’t tell that story or we squish it way down and tell it in two episodes instead of as a season-long arc.”
It hurts just to read that, no? Season 7 of Station 19 premieres Thursday, March 14, at 10/9c.
Since the show is ending, how do you hope that it ends? Your wish list in the comments.
This cancellation is 100% a mistake. ABC, do better.
Very upset about this decision by ABC. So many other shows survived and Station 19 didn’t???
I will say I think they got off track by delving into personal lives of the characters too much, especially Maya and Carinna (sp?) That storyline went on way too long.
Wish ABC would reconsider.
I wish station 19 was given at least 10 full seasons of 18 – 20 episodes per season if it must end. Also the time change to 10pm evidences the disregard ABC has for the viewers! Of course, it is their network to do as they please, but fans of the show can tune off ABC shows off their screen!
Sooo bummed about this cancellation. Also an arsonist storyline sounds so interesting!!
I really hate that is program is being cancelled, on several levels. I love the characters on Station 19 and feel that there are many stories to be told and also I have been watching Peter Paige for a very long time. He’s such a talented person, both as actor and behind the scenes. I hope that Station 19 will have a satisfying finish.
I think ending this now was a mistake. It seems like they are about to turn the corner into some good stories and the rug was pulled out. Shame.
I like the later time slot for it because now it won’t be forced to be a lead into greys plotwise
I’m really sad about the cancelation of Station 19. There were Thursdays that the Station 19 episode was more entertaining than the Grey’s Anatomy one. Do you think because CBS got 911 from Fox that two first responder shows was one too many?
Station 19 airs on ABC. 911 moving to CBS from Fox is irrelevant.
911 is on ABC starting this Thursday
ABC acquired 911 from FOX, not CBS. Even then, it wasn’t actually acquired from anyone. Disney already owned 911, since FOX sold 20th Studios to them in 2018-2019. It’s akin to moving money from your left pocket to your right.
When FOX stupidly sold 20th Studios to Disney in 2018-2019, they lost ownership of all shows produced by said studio. As a result, they had to pay licensing fees on shows they used to own, like 911 and The Resident. The fees got too expensive, which is why FOX eventually canceled both shows when their contracts were up for renegotiation in season 6.
Disney saved 911, because they already owned it. Since 911 is a massive ratings hit, it made sense. So they chose to put it on their own network, just like NBC did with Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Magnum P.I. It comes down to money. 911 is a bigger hit than Station 19, so if you want to blame Station 19’s cancellation on 911, it has to do with money – not “too many fire shows.” Disney owns both shows, so it’s kind of irrelevant whether ABC has “too many” fire shows. Two really isn’t that many for one network anyway.
So upset this show was cancelled especially with the ratings it was pulling.
I can’t believe or understand why you canceled the show it’s very upsetting because it’s A terrific show and the actors and actresses are fabulous. I can honestly say there’s no one on the show that I don’t like, but there are others that I extremely like more than others but the show all in all is terrific.
Too bad it is being cancelled. But what can you expect.
I am beyond devastated as Station 19 is the ONLY program I watch on network TV. The Actors/Actresses are amazing with their ability to represent so many. It was while watching that I was able to finally own my truth and I’m in my 50’s. I have felt every emotion while watching through the years and fell in love withe these characters and Actresses/Actors. I am so hurt and angry with ABC for making it clear representation doesn’t matter to them.
NO NO NO!!! 😭😭😭
I love Station 19!!! I’m 67 years old and I have watched the show from the beginning.
I am praying that other fans like me will reach out to Disney and beg them to keep the show running.
I adore Station 19. I am 84 years young and have watched the show
since its inception.
The actors are sensational at getting their points across to so many of us.
Obviously, representation doesn’t hold true for ABC.
What a shame !
I can’t believe Station 19 is cancelled. It’s one if my favorite shows on Network TV. I can’t wait for Thursday’s to watch these brave firefighters and paramedics tackle every situation. I will be reconsidering this network, ABC! Why should I invest my time in a great show only to have it cancelled. I feel betrayed by ABC!!!