Freevee has canceled its freshman comedy series Primo from Shea Serrano and Mike Schur.
The decision to pass on a second season came after lengthy deliberations. While the show’s fate was being decided, the options on the cast were extended twice with the second extension ending this month. As explained by a source close to production, the executives looked for ways to confirm a second season but were unable to do so.
Primo employed a large number of Latinos both in front of cameras and behind, a rarity that will continue to diminish as networks and streamers cut down and eliminate productions due to budgetary reasons amid an industry contraction. Another such series, ABC’s Not Dead Yet, was among the broadcast shows canceled at the end of this season. While neither of the shows was deliberately targeted, their cancellations are a setback for representation.
Primo is the coming-of-age, single-camera comedy, inspired by creator Serrano’s life growing up in San Antonio, TX. It follows Rafa Gonzales (Ignacio Diaz-Silverio), a wide-eyed 16-year-old being raised by his clever mother, Drea (Christina Vidal), and his five overbearing uncles Rollie (Johnny Rey Diaz), Mike (Henri Esteve), Ryan (Carlos Santos), Jay (Jonathan Medina) and Mondo (Efraín Villa) as they live their lives on the south side of San Antonio.
Rafa is at an inflection point, as three big life moments coincide: he and his friends are nearing the end of high school; he’s pretty sure he just met the girl of his dreams; and he just found out he has a real chance to become the first person in his family to go to college. Throughout the series, the group—Rafa, his mom, uncles, friends, and crush—will all affect each other and help one another grow in ways they weren’t expecting, whether they like it or not.
Serrano wrote and executive produced the single-camera comedy with Mike Schur, Morgan Sackett and David Miner. Primo is a Fremulon and 3 Arts production in association with Universal Television.
