Sorry for Your Loss was a dramatic TV series that aired for two seasons on Facebook Watch before being cancelled in 2019. The show followed Leigh Shaw, played by Elizabeth Olsen, as she dealt with the grief and aftermath of her husband’s sudden death. Though it received positive reviews from critics and viewers, Sorry for Your Loss was unable to find a large enough audience on the relatively new Facebook Watch platform to justify its production costs, leading to its cancellation after just two seasons.
What was Sorry for Your Loss about?
Sorry for Your Loss focused on Leigh Shaw, a young widow played by Elizabeth Olsen, as she tried to piece her life back together after the sudden death of her husband Matt. The show provided an intimate look at the grief process and how losing a loved one can unravel someone’s life in so many unexpected ways. Over the course of the two seasons, Leigh struggles with intense grief, depression, and anger while also trying to reconnect with her estranged mother and brother. The show received praise for its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of the complex emotions involved with grief and loss.
Main characters
In addition to Elizabeth Olsen as Leigh, the show featured several other main characters:
- Jovan Adepo as Danny, Leigh’s brother who has a history of substance abuse problems
- Janet McTeer as Leigh and Danny’s mother Amy, who abandoned the family when they were young
- Kelly Marie Tran as Leigh’s grief group friend Jules, who struggles with depression
- Mamoudou Athie as Matt, Leigh’s late husband who appears in flashbacks
The interactions between these core characters as they provide support, gain insight, and frustrate one another formed the emotional backbone of the show.
Key themes and topics
Sorry for Your Loss distinguished itself by thoughtfully exploring topics related to grief and loss including:
- The profound emotional impact of losing a spouse or loved one
- How grief can unravel every aspect of someone’s life
- The complexity of grieving while also having unresolved family issues
- The importance of support systems when coping with loss
- The wide range of emotions felt by those experiencing grief and bereavement
By examining Leigh’s journey in such depth over two seasons, the show provided a master class in the grieving process and how such a devastating life event transforms a person’s life, relationships, and even identity.
Why was Sorry for Your Loss cancelled by Facebook Watch?
There were a few key factors that contributed to Facebook Watch’s decision to cancel Sorry for Your Loss after two seasons despite its positive reception:
Low viewership numbers
According to reports, Sorry for Your Loss never attracted more than around 100,000 viewers per episode during its two season run. While these numbers were respectable for Facebook Watch originals at the time, they apparently weren’t high enough for the show to justify its ongoing production costs.
High production expenses
With high-value talent like Elizabeth Olsen as the lead and experienced showrunner Kit Steinkellner, Sorry for Your Loss had a substantial budget. Facebook seemed unwilling to keep investing in a show with such limited viewership.
Limited buzz and awards recognition
Though acclaimed by critics, Sorry for Your Loss seemed to fly under the radar with both mainstream audiences and awards voters. Without the momentum of awards nominations or viral social media buzz, it was difficult for the show to attract new viewers outside its niche.
Difficulty finding an audience on Facebook Watch
As a relatively new platform, Facebook Watch likely struggled to market and distribute the show to the audience most likely to appreciate a nuanced drama. Viewers familiar with Elizabeth Olsen from blockbuster Marvel movies may not have thought to look for her on Facebook.
Ultimately, the combination of high production costs and low viewership made Sorry for Your Loss untenable, even as a critically admired prestige project for Facebook Watch’s portfolio.
How did fans and critics react to the cancellation news?
The cancellation of Sorry for Your Loss after just two seasons sparked an outcry among fans, especially those who found it to be one of the most thoughtful and sensitive portrayals of the grieving process on television.
Fan petitions
Diehard fans launched online petitions calling for another network or streaming service to save the show. Some of the largest petitions accumulated over 30,000 signatures.
Disappointment over unresolved storylines
Many fans expressed frustration that the cliffhanger ending of Season 2 left major storylines unresolved. They desperately wanted closure for the characters.
High praise from critics
Critics lamented the loss of such a unique drama that mined the grief experience with nuance and care. Some ranked it among the best shows of 2019.
Calls to reconsider
Supporters urged Facebook Watch and producers to find a way to bring the show back, either for a final limited season or TV movie to properly conclude the story.
Unfortunately, their efforts did not change the executives’ minds about the show’s fate. But the outpouring demonstrated the strong connection viewers felt to the characters and their journeys through loss.
What have the cast and crew said about the cancellation?
In the aftermath of the show’s cancellation, the cast and creators expressed gratitude to the fans while lamenting that they wouldn’t get to finish telling this impactful story.
Elizabeth Olsen
Series lead Elizabeth Olsen called it an “honor” to be part of a show that helped people feel less alone in their grief. She thanked the writers for giving her the chance to grow as an actress in such a complex role.
Kit Steinkellner
Showrunner Kit Steinkellner said bringing this show to life was one of her greatest privileges as a storyteller. She hinted that the remaining cast and crew knew the direction unmade seasons would have taken.
Jovan Adepo
Jovan Adepo, who played Leigh’s troubled brother Danny, said he was grateful to be part of telling such poignant stories about underrepresented experiences. He thanked the “loyal, brilliant” fans.
Kelly Marie Tran
In a social media post, Kelly Marie Tran (who played Leigh’s friend Jules) called being part of Sorry for Your Loss a “gift” and said she would miss working with the “incredible group of talented, empathetic people” on the show.
Though disappointed they couldn’t continue, the cast remained positive about the impact of the two existing seasons and the doors the show helped open for more nuanced portrayals of grief on television.
Could Sorry for Your Loss find new life on another platform someday?
Given the lingering interest from fans eager for more, many have wondered if it’s possible Sorry for Your Loss could return or continue on another platform someday.
New season or wrap-up movie?
It’s unlikely a full new season could be produced due to the cast’s busy schedules, but some have suggested a TV movie could provide closure on lingering storylines.
Acquisition by Netflix or Hulu?
Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have rescued canceled shows before. But Sorry for Your Loss may be still too niche for a big investment.
Podcast continuation?
A podcast set in the Sorry for Your Loss world featuring the original cast could be a more affordable way to revisit the characters and their journeys.
Incorporating themes into other projects
The cast and crew could potentially explore similar themes around grief and loss in other projects in the future now that the show has broken some ground.
While unlikely, fans cling to a small bit of hope that they may yet get more time with the beloved characters who came to mean so much to them over two poignant seasons.
Conclusion
Though its two season run was short-lived, Sorry for Your Loss made an impact by thoughtfully and sensitively portraying the long, difficult journey so many face after the loss of a loved one. Led by Elizabeth Olsen’s moving performance, the show resonated with viewers looking for characters who reflected their experiences with grief in an honest way. While its early cancellation due to low viewership numbers was disappointing to both fans and critics, Sorry for Your Loss opened the door for more shows willing to tackle themes of bereavement with nuance, empathy and care. The series will remain a valued resource for those looking for catharsis and understanding while mourning the loss of someone close to them.