Timeless season 3 didn't happen since the NBC TV show was cancelled after season 2, though it did get a two-hour series finale wrap-up movie - here's everything you need to know about the Timeless cancellation.
Created by Eric Kripke (Supernatural) and Shawn Ryan (The Shield), Timeless premiered on NBC in October 2016 and went on to garner a small, but dedicated fan base. The series follows a group of time travelers: history professor Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer), Army Master Sergeant Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter) and time machine pilot Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett). The three were tasked with following terrorist Garcia Flynn (Goran Višnjić) through history and fixing what he changed after stealing the Mothership time machine - the Time Team pilots the prototype time machine called the Lifeboat. However, the Lifeboat team begins to learn Flynn is targeting the mysterious organization Rittenhouse, which has its fingerprints all over history.
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Timeless was never a massive ratings hit for NBC, but it did have its own legion of devoted fans who managed to keep the show alive despite low ratings. As such, Timeless was actually cancelled twice, but revived twice as well, before finally wrapping up with a two-hour series finale movie. Now, we break down the confusing history of Timeless season 3's cancellation.
Timeless Was Cancelled After Season 1 - Then Revived
In May 2017, NBC cancelled Timeless after season 1. It was revealed by co-creator Shawn Ryan that the decision was based on financial reasons; Timeless was produced outside NBC by Sony Pictures Television. However, just three days after news of its cancellation broke, Timeless was renewed for season 2 by NBC, un-cancelling the show. It was announced the series would return for a shortened season 2, running only 10 episodes, compared to the first season's 16 episodes. Timeless season 2 premiered in March 2018, concluding in May 2018.
Timeless Was Cancelled After Season 2
Toward the end of season 2, co-creator Eric Kripke warned fans that Timeless was once again on the bubble, meaning its ratings weren't high enough to guarantee a season 3 renewal. The creators and the fans had every reason to worry the show would be cancelled once again, with it seeming unlikely Timeless would get another hail mary like after season 1. Still, the Timeless season 2 finale cliffhanger caused fans to hope that the show would be allowed to wrap up in some way. NBC cancelled Timeless (again) after season 2, but left the option open for the series to be given a two-hour finale movie in order to wrap up its storylines.
Timeless Had A Finale Movie - But No Season 3
When Timeless season 3 failed to find a home after the show was cancelled by NBC, the producers came to an agreement with the network for a wrap-up movie. NBC officially announced the Timeless series finale movie in July 2018 and production began. The Timeless two-part series finale aired on NBC in December 2018, wrapping up Lucy, Wyatt and Rufus's storylines, as well as those of Flynn and the show's supporting characters. It was a deserving, if rushed, conclusion to the fan-favorite TV show.
As such, Timeless season 3 never happened and likely never will. Though certain beloved television series with dedicated and vocal fans have managed to get those productions revived multiple times (Arrested Development and Veronica Mars in particular), Timeless is cancelled. At least, for now.