The Exorcist Season 3: Unveiling the Bone-Chilling Secrets of the Cancelled Show
The Exorcist lives on! Discover the untold story behind the cancellation of the TV show and delve into the exciting plot details of what Season 3 would have offered Brace yourself for an upcoming movie trilogy that will continue to terrify fans of the iconic franchise
Summary
Despite receiving critical praise and having a dedicated fan following, the Exorcist TV show was unfortunately discontinued due to poor viewership numbers. Even in its second season, the show failed to attract sufficient ratings, ultimately resulting in its cancellation.
The Exorcist season 3 would have featured Marcus, Tomas, and Mouse teaming up with individuals from various faiths to locate a possessed priest. The story would have incorporated flashbacks and multiple timelines to provide additional context.
Although a third season of the TV show will not be produced, a new Exorcist movie trilogy, starting with The Exorcist: Believer, is currently in development. Ellen Burstyn will return as Chris MacNeil, Regan's mother, and the first film is scheduled to premiere on Peacock on October 13, 2023.
The Exorcist season 3 never materialized, marking the end of the TV series based on one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. The 1973 original film provided a gripping and intense experience that has been often imitated but rarely matched. While the horror franchise produced sequels, they mostly fell short of the original masterpiece. The series reached its conclusion with Exorcist: The Beginning in 2004, which faced significant challenges during production and resulted in two different versions; the theatrical cut directed by Renny Harlin and Paul Schrader's Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist, deemed "too cerebral" by producers.
Similar to the revival of NBC's Hannibal series, The Exorcist franchise found a new lease on life through a Fox TV show. Season 1 of The Exorcist followed priests Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels) as they aided a possessed family while uncovering a surprising connection to the original movie's narrative. Season 2 depicted the excommunicated Marcus and Tomas embarking on a quest to uncover demonic cases, with unexpected encounters with Marcus' former apprentice, Mouse (Zuleikha Robinson). Sadly, Fox halted the series prematurely, leaving fans without The Exorcist season 3.
Why The Exorcist TV Show Was Canceled
What The Exorcist Season 3 Would Have Been About
The Exorcist season 2 concluded on a somber tone as Marcus was compelled to execute a possessed individual, severing his partnership with Tomas in the process. Later, Mouse and Tomas embark on a journey together. Approximately six months later, Marcus receives a divine message, urging him to find Tomas. Regrettably, The Exorcist season 3 never materialized as it was terminated in 2018. The sole reason for its cancellation was the noticeably low ratings. Despite its remarkable episodes, The Exorcist was relegated to the lowest-rated drama on any major network during season 1. However, due to positive reviews and a dedicated fan base, it was granted a second season. Tragically, season 2's ratings plummeted even further, and not even its devoted fans could rescue it.
In an interview with TVLine, show creator Jeremy Slater discussed his ideas for the third season of The Exorcist following its cancellation. The storyline would have followed Marcus as he tapped into his connections within the religious underworld to track down Tomas and Mouse, who had set off to rendezvous with a possessed priest. This plot would have offered viewers a glimpse into the practices of exorcisms and the way different faiths, such as rabbis, confront evil. It would have also showcased Marcus, who had retired at the end of season 2, regaining his strength and reentering the world of exorcisms.
A New Exorcist Movie Trilogy Is Coming
The third season of The Exorcist would have employed flashbacks and branching timelines to depict events that took place during the six-month gap following the final scene of the previous season. It would have delved into the complex relationship between Tomas and Mouse, revealing her colder and less nurturing mentorship towards him. Viewing Tomas as a valuable weapon in the fight against evil, she would have exploited him accordingly. Marcus and Tomas, on the other hand, would have faced the challenge of reuniting after the traumatic events of the previous season, requiring them to address their shared emotional scars. Unfortunately, the revival of The Exorcist for a third season remains unlikely. Nevertheless, during its existence, this continuation of the original movie proved to be surprisingly exceptional.
While The Exorcist season 3 may not bring solace to its avid fans, the overall franchise remains alive. Blumhouse Productions has partnered with Halloween 2018 director David Gordon Green to develop a trilogy of movies as a continuation of the original 1973 Exorcist film. In these new movies, Oscar-winner Ellen Burstyn will reprise her role as Chris MacNeil, the mother of Regan. The first installment, titled The Exorcist: Believer, is set to premiere on October 13, 2023, exclusively on Peacock. The movie has unveiled its inaugural trailer, showcasing the eerie disappearance and subsequent possession of two schoolgirls upon their return.
The turning point in the new Exorcist film occurs when the parents of the two girls seek assistance and connect with Chris MacNeil, who has experienced a similar ordeal in the past. Chris, who is Regan's mother, emerges to aid the family in confronting the harsh reality that something has invaded their children, causing destruction in its wake. Lidya Jewett (known for her role in Good Girls) and Olivia Marcum (from Matilda the Musical) play the roles of the possessed children. Should The Exorcist: Believer be successful, Blumhouse has already secured a deal for a second and third installment, with the possibility of them being available on Peacock as well.
