Despite high anticipation, Hulu has decided to cancel the television adaptation of Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR), leaving fans disappointed and looking for answers. The project had a long and bumpy road from its announcement in 2021 to its cancellation in February 2025, which ultimately led to its demise. Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
Development Issues
Hulu announced that it would be teaming up with Disney’s 20th Television to adapt the ACOTAR series into a television show in March 2021. Excitement grew quickly, especially since Ronald D. Moore from Putander would be writing it along with author Sarah J. Maas. This partnership promised a faithful and high-quality adaptation that fans were eager to see on screen.
Unfortunately, despite initial enthusiasm, the adaptation faced numerous setbacks. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays in production, only for the writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 to delay the production even more.
By February 2024, reports started to emerge that the series was no longer moving forward at Hulu, and there would be no effort to pitch it to other networks. Then, in July, Ronald D. Moore announced that he would no longer be working on it. This announcement, along with the earlier rumors, contributed to a growing sense of instability surrounding the series and the direction it might take.
Finally, in February 2025, Hulu officially canceled the ACOTAR adaptation. While they didn’t give a reason, prolonged delays and the loss of key creative figures likely contributed to the decision. Representatives from 20th Television and Hulu declined to comment on the matter, leaving fans with limited official explanations.
Despite this setback, there remains a glimmer of hope for fans eager to see the ACOTAR series adapted for the screen. Sarah J. Maas has expressed intentions to shop the series to other platforms once Disney’s rights expire in late summer 2025.
FAQ
Was the show ever in active production?
No, ACOTAR never made it past the development stage. After its announcement in 2021, it stalled for two years without casting announcements or filming schedules.
Could ACOTAR be turned into a movie instead?
While the original plan was a TV series, there’s a possibility that Maas or another studio could pursue a film adaptation instead.
Could another streaming service pick up ACOTAR?
Yes. If another network or streaming service is interested, it could acquire the rights once they are released. Platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or HBO Max could be potential new homes for the adaptation.
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