We finally have our answer, and it’s just as we suspected: the Dresden Files TV show has been canceled. Read more about the decision at TV Guide.com.
While we wish SciFi could have decided differently, we’re still grateful for the twelve great episodes that aired earlier this year. Largely thanks to the TV show, book sales tripled, and no doubt more new fans will continue to discover the series through reruns and the DVDs. Speaking of which, the DVDs will be released this Tuesday! Buy them here on Amazon.com.
Additionally, fans of Paul Blackthorne will be cheered to learn that he has joined the cast of ABC’s Big Shots.
Discuss this story on the forums here.
Addendum, 2014: This show was canceled in 2007. There’s no bringing it back. The rights have reverted to Jim.
Author: priscellie
Priscilla Spencer has been Jim's creative consultant since 2007. In addition to managing content for Jim-Butcher.com and its social media channels, she beta-reads all of Jim's works, serves as a thematic consultant on the graphic novels and role playing games, and illustrates the maps for his books. The whole "Year of Dresden" thing is largely her baby. Her latest claim to fame is directing the official book trailers for Peace Talks and Battle Ground.
In her professional life, Priscilla is a Producer, Writer, Photographer, and Fantasy Map Illustrator working towards a career in producing TV. She enjoys musical theatre, gluten-free cooking, sci-fi/fantasy, and weightlifting. She aspires to travel the world and pet every dog.
View all posts by priscellie
It is a shame that the Dresden Show was canceled; it had so much potential. Perhaps if they did stay truer to the book it may have had a better chance for a 2nd season. Who knows?
But isn’t this the typical route on all interesting shows that challenge and excite the audience? Think of all the shows that have been canceled prematurely because it seemed so unlikely? Doe, Firefly, Tru Calling…the list goes on.
They Executives at Sci-Fi may have over-done it with all the new line-ups for the fall and couldn’t slot Dresden in because they chose Eureka instead. We will never really understand their decision.
As for a movie, perhaps if it was made for TV and not the big screen. Must I remind you of Serenity? (Not bad, but it needed more, it felt rushed.) I think of the Tanya Huff Books-to-TV. They were decent; a little off from the books but updated nicely and it wasn’t rushed. I hate being rushed through something; that’s why books are so much better.
As long as Jim keeps the books coming, I’m a happy camper. Plus there is Shannon’s book too. The only good thing from all this is TV Harry was a lot yummier then my book version of Harry.
I am disappointed that SCIFI chose to cancel the series. I have very little time to watch television, and TDF was the only show I watched regularly. I started reading the books because of the show and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. Jim, thank you for all the hard work and the labour of love you put into each book.
I am sorry to see Dresden Files the TV series go off the air. BUT I agree with all the lovers of the books who say they strayed to far from the books. i have called it DRESDEN LITE I believe a new Dresden series either on the web or as a series of movies on TNT or FX channels that aren’t afraid of showing Humans and thier flaws and leave SCI FI to man-squito and the offensive (KILLER JANE)
I believe there is a viusal media future for Dresden it’s just finding it
I am one of those who found out about the books because of the TV show – I agree with most that the books are far better, but the show was good – certainly far better than any one of the endless litany of terrible “sci-fi channel original movies” they’ve assaulted viewers with over the years.
I agree also with what someone else said elsewhere -Dresden Files is a show for USA, where the moto is “Characters Welcome”. The Dresden files could take it’s place there with Monk, The Dead Zone, Psyched, and Burn Notice, some of the best shows on TV.
Screw the Sci-Fi Channel. It’s a miracle they haven’t folded and if they keep going like they are, they will.
I’m a huge fan of the books.
I couldn’t stand the TV series, because the changes were just too big.
I’m sad that your loosing your TV show, and everything that comes with that, but at the same time, I’m glad, because I kind of felt that it hurt the series.
The breaking point for me was the second episode I watched, the one with the were-wolves. Where-in they firmly established that they didn’t care at all about anything that was established in the books.
“What, there’s already a Dresden Files book about werewolves? Well we don’t need to read the book, I’ve seen Teen-Wolf and The Howling a dozen times. I see no problem using THOSE as source material instead…”
As a published fantasy author, I thuroughly enjoy every one of the Dresden books. Harry Dresden, to me, is a sort of Archie Goodwin/Garrett/Sam Spade with the added spice of wizard mixed in for flavor. Of course the sci fi channel blew it when they allowed the writers to change the characterizations to the point where they only had the names for identification. The management of that channel doesn’t even like sci fi much less fantasy. This is the channel that canceled Firefly for Ghu’s sake. The problem is, a template has been set and it will take a tremendous amount of capital and guts to reestablish DF as a series on another network. I would love to see it on a network that actually shows some respect to its viewers such as USA
A major problem with Sci-Fi and the Dresden Lite they produced is that every one is either all good or all bad people all problems a hero faces must end in 50 minutes. Other shows on cable THE CLOSER, THE SHEILD, SAVING GRACE show flaws in heros and redemptive quality in baddies. It’s time we fans of fiction quit accepting the crap from sci-fi as “well its better than nothing”
I just have to add my two cents worth to the many others who have posted. I’m no “kid”, but I have been a devout SF?Fantasy fan since I was a “kid”.
Having been a BTVS fan as well, my intro to Jim’s books came through the purchase of the Storm Front audio book read by James Marsters. From then on I was on a roll! Love the books!
I have purchased, read and reread, all the books, including the Codex Alera series, and all the audio books to date. Jim is my favorite author; #1 on my list of favorites. I too was a bit put off by the tv show writing and casting….(Murphy is a short blonde!) but like others have said , the TV show was better than nothing, and YES, the Sci Fi Channel has missed the boat on this one. It definitely would be nice to have the cinematic powers that be recognize Jim Butcher’s talent and marvelous characters someday. If Harry Potter can do it, why not Harry Dresden?! Here’s hoping! Keep up the good work Jim! Stupidity in the television industry can’t keep a good writer down. You have all your loyal fans, including me, cheering you on!
So much for the So-Called-Sci-Fi Channel… this is my last straw. They cancel wonderful sci/fi fantasy shows (Farscape, SG-1, and now Dresden Files), they refuse to rescue unfairly-cancelled series (Firefly, Angel, the Lone Gunmen) and choose instead to air completely crappy TV-movies or WRESTLING, for Bob’s sake–since when is wrestling even *remotely* related to sci-fi?!?!? I was semi-interested in Flash Gordon, but forget it. No Dresden, no So-Called-Sci-Fi!!!
While I must admit to being… underwhelmed by the series, I have to admit it still had possibilities and Paul Blackthorne was a great choice for Harry. I’d hoped for more development in season 2… oh well. If someone could post save-TDF-sites, I’ll sign up for them. I’m ready to fight the good fight, both here and in the bookstore where I work. (I’ve converted one of my co-workers already, and we’re promoting the books as fast as we can!)
Even though it strayed a lot from the books (and would have been so much better if it hadn’t), it still was an interesting show. Sci-Fi is so untrusting of their shows for some reason. And it seems they only like continuing their bad shows. I was worried they were going to cancel Eureka (the only show they have now) until I heard the second season announced. Normally, when you watch the first season of a good show, you don’t have to worry so much about it coming back. However, with SciFi, you have to worry immensely about it. You never know if they’ll cancel it and replace it with wrestling.
This would work a lot better on USA. Their tv shows are excellent these days. It’s a shame that other networks can’t learn from USA or FX. Dresden would have been a great character on show for USA network – especially if he was brought straight from the book.
This would most definitely work as an animated series of movies.
If someone had the resources to even allow an independent-movement to bring it to an animated movie dvd, i’m sure a huge percentage of your readers would purchase it.
Darn, I liked the series. It served its (larger) purpose, turning me on to a great writer who lives in MY HOME TOWN! (Go Independence!)
I don’t get it. SciFi’s “homemade movies” are awful, yet they keep airing them. And I can’t boycott the only source of Doctor Who (BBC America is a season behind).
While the series lacked a dimension that the novels have, I have to give credit – Bob’s personality was “spot on” even if they mucked with his “essence.”
Jim, take heart. You’ve gained a loyal following.
The show served its purpose. It introduced me to a new character and series (of books) that I immediately purchased and devoured like a phobophage. I was just thinking that Harry Dresden should be on the big screen (with bigger and better monsters and landscapes). My vote = Christian Bale.
I am soooo very bummed! I really loved the show and was really looking forward to a new season. But as long as the books keep coming then i will be happy. I was done with the last one in two days and am going to re-read it soon. BOOOO to Sci Fi for getting rid of all the good shows.
darn it ….I absolutely loved the show…thank goodness…we still have the books….keep them coming…..
JIm,
So sorry to hear the show was cancelled.
Susie
I’ve been a fan of the Dresden books since shortly after the first one hit the shelves. I also loved the show. The differences between the book and the tv show I find to be interesting variations. Anyway, I hope/wish the show gets shopped to another network although how well it would work without Blackthorne is an open question.
The TV series introduced me to the world of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files books and for that I will be forever grateful, when will the next book hit the shelves?
As for wrestling on SciFi… that almost makes me shiver as much as the number of shows that died out during the reality TV revolution and decent into ghastly television.
I’m so sorry the series got canceled…I’ve been waiting all summer for fall so I could see my favorite series again, and, as usual, it gets canceled. I had hoped we would be able to revive the show with a petition but if Paul has already signed on to another show then I seriously doubt any network would take it. I’m not the type to get a “crush” on a television character, but he brought a charisma to the role that carried the show. I’ll keep reading the books and preaching the “Gospel of Jim Butcher”. Keep up the good work and, believe me, SciFi is making a mistake they will greatly regret…I only watch them now for X-files reruns…but think I’ll even stop now. They once offered true science fiction…but now their programming is more akin to stupid horror than SciFi. Keep your chin up, Jim!
I made my voice heard in favor of Harry. I am so disappointed that the show was canceled.
At least I have the books coming in & this site bookmarked.
Jim B., you have a new fan here.
The Scifi Channel has missed the starship on this one. A friend turned me on to the Dresden Files show and that turned me on to the books. I was soooooo, looking forward to a new season, I was going to purchase the channel myself just to watch it. I bought the DVD that is out but I want more. Honestly though, I dug the show but I love the books more. Maybe it would go as a movie. Keep up the good work Jim. I will try your other books as well.