US broadcaster axes Minnie Driver comedy

Minnie Driver’s E4 comedy Speechless has been cancelled after three seasons.

In the American series, she plays  a no-nonsense mum who will do anything for her husband and kids Ray, Dylan and JJ  (Micah Fowler) – who has cerebral palsy and communicates using a laser pointer and alphabet board.

However, the ABC network has now decided not to renew the show, which was its lowest rated scripted comedy, averaging 2.3 million viewers watching as it aired.

The show was created by Friends writer Scott Silveri and launched  in the States in 2016 to a strong critical response, with a 98 per cent score on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. 

E4 snapped up all three series, which it is currently stripping at 7.30pm every weekday.

Yesterday ABC also cancelled its other comedies Splitting Up Together and The Kids Are Alright to make room for new shpws.

Published: 11 May 2019