Lifetime Cancels ‘Drop Dead Diva’ After Four Seasons

Lifetime has pulled the plug on Drop Dead Diva after four seasons. The hour drama, created by Josh Berman, centered on an aspiring model, Deborah “Deb” Dobkins, who was killed and brought back to life as lawyer Jane Bingum played by Brooke Elliot. The show’s high cost made it difficult for Lifetime to continue on with the series. The cable network did however approach producer Sony Picture Television for cost-cutting options to continue the series. Ratings for the season four finale marked as a seosaon high with 2.76 million viewers. The series aired it’s last episode in September.

Creator Josh Berman has been experiencing a rough spell with the cancellation of his freshman drama The Mob Doctor. The Fox series was canceled only after 13 episodes due to low ratings.

Drop Dead Diva also starred comedian Margaret Cho, April Bowlby, Kate Levering, Jackson Hurst, Josh Stamber, Lex Medling, and Carter MacIntyre. Kim Kardashian had a small recurring role on the series last year, which received plenty of headlines.

Lifetime, the women’s centered television program, will continue on with it’s scripted dramas The Client List starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, as well as the rebooted Army Wives, and upcoming Devious Maids by Marc Cherry, creator of Desperate Housewives. The program also has a long list of unscripted shows including Dance Moms and Project Runway.

Lifetime has a few series in development including Rene Zellweger’s effort Cinnamon Girls and The Secret Lives of Wives, as well as developing projects with author Nicholas Sparks.

Shanika Simmons