Madam Secretary, a beloved political drama that aired from 2014 to 2019, captivated audiences with its intriguing storyline. The series centered around Elizabeth McCord, a newly appointed Secretary of State who found herself thrust into the public eye following the mysterious death of her predecessor. Throughout the show, viewers witnessed McCord navigate the complexities of the American political system, encountering unexpected twists and turns along the way. During its early seasons, Madam Secretary garnered immense praise, coinciding with the peak of political dramas' popularity.
Regrettably, the announcement of Madam Secretary's cancellation came as a disappointment to its dedicated fan base. The show had established itself as one of CBS's longest-running political dramas, leading many to believe it had the potential for a much lengthier run. Numerous character arcs remained unresolved, leaving viewers eager for more. While Madam Secretary boasted an array of outstanding episodes that contributed to its large following, there were valid reasons behind the decision to end the series, despite its earlier success.
Madam Secretary’s Ratings Dropped
The primary reason for the cancellation of Madam Secretary was simply that the show's viewership and enjoyment had significantly declined compared to previous seasons. In the first season, the show attracted an average of 14.16 million viewers. However, this number dropped to an average of 6.74 million viewers in season 6. This decline in viewership made it impractical for the network to continue investing significant time and effort into a show that was not delivering sufficient returns. Although the show still had dedicated fans, their numbers had decreased compared to earlier seasons.
This decrease in viewership also coincided with a decline in the show's favorability among its fans over the years. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score for season 6 was 63%, which was considerably lower than the impressive 83% score of the premiere season and the peak popularity in season 2, where the score reached 90%. With audiences clearly not enjoying the show as much as they used to, it was a logical decision to conclude Madam Secretary before the situation worsened.
Madam Secretary’s Writers Reached The End Of Their Story
Madam Secretary's decision to not continue for a seventh season can be attributed to various factors, one being that the story had reached a satisfying conclusion in its sixth season. In the final episodes, the narrative progressed into the future, showcasing the victory of Elizabeth McCord in the presidential election and her subsequent rise to become Madam President. Continuing the story beyond this point would have required a significant shift in tone and direction for the show, which could have been a risky move considering the declining ratings. Consequently, it was a logical choice for the series to conclude at this point.