The mysterious Morpho machine is shutting down. Apple TV+ has canceled The Big Door Prize after two seasons, as confirmed by Variety. The series, from Skydance Television and CJ ENM/Studio Dragon, ended its Season 2 run on June 12.
The Big Door Prize comes from writer David West Read (Schitt’s Creek) and is based on the M.O. Walsh novel of the same name. The whimsical series earned solid nods in Season 1, which aired in spring 2023 and starred Chris O’Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, Josh Segarra, Ally Maki, Djouliet Amara, Sammy Fourlas, Crystal Fox, and Damon Gupton.
The Tale of Deerfield Comes to an End
The series centers on the residents of Deerfield, a small town that is upended when a mysterious machine appears in the general store, promising to reveal each resident’s true life potential. David West Read serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside an impressive team including David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Matt Thunell for Skydance Television, Miky Lee, Jey-hyun Kim, Hyun Park for Studio Dragon, Bill Bost and Sarah Walker.
No More Morpho Mysteries
The direction team involved Steven Tsuchida, Heather Jack, Jordan Canning, Satya Bhabha and Declan Lowney. “The Big Door Prize” achieved Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh status during its first season. As noted by Variety in its review last year:
“It’s an interesting comparison of generations, but it also leads to honest conversations about the pressure to succeed, the dangers of settling and flexibility in the pursuit of dreams. The show is careful never to answer those questions, mind you, but it presents these topics and allows viewers to walk away with their own interpretations.”
A Writer’s Influence
Former Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read helms the adaptation. His background with quirky small-town characters was apparent throughout the series. Read also created the new stage musical & Juliet alongside legendary songwriter/producer Max Martin.
Other work includes: The Performers… nomination for Outstanding World Premiere.
The Voices Behind Deerfield’s Residents
Ally Maki and Gabrielle Dennis spoke about using the Morpho machine during an interview for The Big Door Prize Season 2. Maki plays Hana while Dennis portrays Cass. They shared their thoughts on whether they would use the machine to know their potential at the start of their careers:
“I feel like I’d be so attached to making that outcome happen,” said Maki.
Dennis added: “I’m a little bit of a chicken… I’d wait and see how it went for my friends.”
The end of The Big Door Prize leaves fans reflecting on its unique charm and thought-provoking plot. While it will surely be missed by its audience, the themes it explored continue to resonate.
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