A present about Elvis as a undercover agent from “Archer” author Mike Arnold and singer-screenwriter John Eddie sounds wild sufficient to change into a success — or, at least, a cult favourite. Sadly, “Agent Elvis” wasn’t given lengthy sufficient to change into both, as Netflix canceled the zany enterprise after its first season. That’s, the streamer axed the animated collection a number of months after season 1 was made obtainable, which could appear odd, however 2023 was a tumultuous 12 months that claimed many a present too quickly.
The cancellation of “Agent Elvis” was maybe one of many largest disappointments, if solely as a result of the present had a lot promise and hype previous to its debut. The collection’ trailer promised an outlandish romp that includes Matthew McConaughey as a undercover agent model of The King, whereas early footage from “Agent Elvis” equally teased a trendy animated present that /Movie’s Rafael Motamayor described as “hanging,” noting that “Elvis has by no means regarded higher.” The truth that the King’s real-life widow, Priscilla Presley, performed herself, with McConaughey voicing the titular icon, solely sweetened the deal.
What may have probably put an finish to such a present so rapidly? Properly, the standard monetary concerns performed a component, however “Agent Elvis” was additionally simply unfortunate by way of its timing.
Agent Elvis was a delightfully off-the-wall collection canceled too quickly
“Agent Elvis” premiered on March 17, 2023, specializing in the King throughout his comeback interval and starting together with his 1968 Christmas particular — a legendary occasion in Elvis historical past and considered one of the very best moments from the 2022 “Elvis” film. Quickly after, nonetheless, the present takes a flip for the purely fictional when Elvis is recruited by a mysterious authorities group often known as TCB. He then finds himself battling nefarious forces whereas attempting to keep up his music profession in a narrative that takes him from Las Vegas to Graceland and in all places in between.
Including to the present’s attraction past that ridiculous premise was the spectacular solid of visitor stars and characters, which noticed Fred Armisen enjoying Charles Manson, Simon Pegg portraying Paul McCartney, and Jason Mantzoukas lending his voice to Howard Hughes. “Agent Elvis” even threw in a cameo for followers of Baz Luhrmann’s refulgent Elvin biopic.
All of that ought to have, not less than, made for an Grownup Swim-style cult success for Netflix. As a substitute, the collection was canceled on November 15, 2023, a mere eight months after it had debuted on the streamer. Deadline reported the information, saying that “Agent Elvis” had been axed alongside 5 different Netflix exhibits, together with “Shadow And Bone” and “Glamorous.” The principle issue right here seems to have been the Display Actors Guild and Writers Guild strikes, which had thrown commissioners, channels, and streamers into disarray, with the outlet reporting that Netflix selected to not renew this specific raft of collection every week after the SAG-AFTRA strike ended and a month and a half after the WGA strike got here to a conclusion. Each strikes had resulted in seven months of manufacturing stoppages, which was primarily a dying sentence for exhibits nonetheless discovering their ft.
2023 was a tough 12 months to debut an Elvis undercover agent present
In line with Deadline, efficiency versus value performed an enormous half in Netflix’s resolution to not renew a number of exhibits on the tail-end of 2023, “Agent Elvis” included. However the strikes have been an additional ingredient that made issues significantly tough, particularly for brand new collection struggling to ascertain themselves. The WGA strike got here to a conclusion in September of 2023, with union members securing significant features and protections, maybe most notably within the sphere of AI, which continues to loom over Hollywood at this time. (Though some people, like Ben Affleck, are extremely skeptical that AI will take over motion pictures.) Then, in early November, the historic SAG-AFTRA strike additionally got here to an finish after seemingly establishing equally necessary protections in opposition to AI — although many of those have since been known as into query.
Whereas many writers and performers have been rightly celebrating their wins, a number of exhibits have been taking the brunt of the fallout. As Deadline famous, the delays in manufacturing brought on by the strikes had utterly upended networks and streamers’ schedules, which evidently created a “pipeline logjam” for late 2024 and 2025. This meant that, had Netflix renewed “Agent Elvis,” viewers must await for much longer than common for season 2 to reach. Judging by Netflix’s resolution to cancel the present, the corporate did not suppose the season 1 numbers justified making audiences wait that lengthy. Except your collection was already well-established, then, 2023 was a tough time to debut.
“Agent Elvis” additionally wasn’t a large essential hit, garnering an okay 64% on Rotten Tomatoes plus a 76% Popcorn meter rating. Maybe if it had been obtained barely higher, that may have influenced Netflix’s resolution. For now, nonetheless, Elvis’ undercover agent days look like over.
