In an exclusive report, it has been confirmed that HBO Max will not be renewing Duster, the much-anticipated 1970s crime drama produced by Bad Robot, after a lengthy five-year development process. This news comes just days after the Season 1 finale was released on the streaming platform, leaving fans and industry insiders surprised but not entirely shocked.
Despite its impressive cast and production team, Duster struggled to garner substantial viewer interest. Starring Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson, the show received positive feedback from those who watched it, boasting a commendable 92% rating from critics and an 83% rating from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. However, this praise was not enough to secure a second season, as the series failed to create significant buzz within a competitive streaming landscape.
While Duster managed to maintain a presence in the daily Top 10 on HBO Max, it did not succeed in breaking into the Nielsen Top 10 for streaming originals. It barely made an impact on Luminate's list of Top 50 streaming originals, ranking at 50 in its fourth week. This lack of visibility likely contributed to the decision to cancel the series.
In a statement to Deadline, HBO Max expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with the talented creators, J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. “While HBO Max will not be moving forward with a second season of Duster, we are so grateful to have had the chance to work with the amazingly talented co-creators and our partners at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television,” the statement read. The network also acknowledged the contributions of the cast and crew, thanking them for their incredible collaboration.
Duster was originally ordered in April 2020 and filmed well in advance of its release. However, as the options on the cast expired without extension—a situation not uncommon for HBO Max—there were indications that Warner Bros. Television and Bad Robot attempted to pitch the show to other platforms. Unfortunately, these efforts did not lead to any successful deals.
Duster follows the story of Nina, portrayed by Rachel Hilson, the first Black female FBI agent. Set in 1972, Nina travels to the Southwest and enlists the help of a daring getaway driver, played by Josh Holloway, in a bold mission to dismantle a burgeoning crime syndicate. The series also featured performances from a talented ensemble cast, including Keith David, Sydney Elisabeth, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, Asivak Koostachin, Adriana Aluna Martinez, and Benjamin Charles Watson.
In their statement, WBTV praised the unique storytelling and character development seen in Duster, highlighting its ability to transport viewers back to the vibrant 1970s. “J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan delivered a thrilling, multi-dimensional crime drama, with textured characters that took the audience back to the 1970s in a new and innovative way,” the statement noted. The first two episodes were penned by Abrams and Morgan, directed by Steph Green, and produced under the Bad Robot and TinkerToy Productions banners.
With the cancellation of Duster, the only remaining original series on HBO Max is The Pitt, leaving fans of the platform wondering what the future holds for its original content slate.
