3 reasons Stumptown deserves to be saved by another network

The ABC dramedy Stumptown was recently canceled after being renewed for a second season. But it absolutely deserves to be saved.

In a shocking and disappointing turn of events, ABC has decided to not move forward with a season two order of Stumptown — despite the fact that the network announced the series had been renewed in May and the cast and crew appeared in a panel for San Diego Comic-Con in July. The series focused on Cobie Smulders as Dex Parios, a bisexual Marine vet suffering from PTSD who turns to private investigating to support her younger brother and dig herself out of debt. The timing of the cancellation announcement was in poor taste, as it was made in the middle of Bi Visibility Week.

Since the cancellation has little to do with the show’s ratings (it was one of the most-anticipated new series of last season and became a powerhouse in digital viewing) and more to do with the COVID-19 pandemic causing production delays, there are rumors of Stumptown being shopped around to other networks.

Here are some reasons why this show should absolutely be saved.

Cobie Smulders

While we’ve seen her comedic side for years in CBS’s How I Met Your Mother, as well as her dramatic side in multiple MCU films, Cobie Smulders uniquely blends both of these genres as Stumptown‘s Dex. Sure, we’ve seen the sarcastic, damaged private eye trope (Veronica Mars, Jessica Jones), but Smulders’ performance is nuanced enough that she can be (believably) vulnerable and strong-willed at the same time.

Smulders brings a depth to the character of Dex, who can sometimes be a complete mess of a woman, but you still find yourself rooting for her. She’s tough when it comes to tracking down bad guys, but is soft in dealing with her PTSD and a younger brother who has Down syndrome. The cast as a whole does a wonderful job, but Smulders is an amazing talent and deserves her own starring vehicle. Stumptown fits her perfectly.

Representation

The show is known for its witty dialogue and hard-hitting action scenes, but it also includes two kinds of underrepresented characters. The lead character is a bisexual woman, which is almost unheard of on network television, and she’s also a PTSD-stricken veteran, which is rarely explored from a female character’s point of view. The show also features an actor with Down syndrome, Cole Sibus, which is extremely rare to have as part of an ensemble on any show.

Stumptown might be big on inclusivity, but it doesn’t make a big deal out of who either of these characters is. Representation without blatantly working it into each weekly storyline is a refreshing change of pace, particularly for ABC.

The Storylines

It wouldn’t be fair or accurate to reduce Stumptown to simply being a private investigator procedural. The show is about found family. It’s about working hard to take care of yourself and the people that you love every single day.

Stumptown examines the gentrification of Native American culture going on in the United States. It is packed with characters who are all extremely flawed but always work together to do the right thing and have each other’s backs. It’s also about second chances in both love and life. Yes, there are plenty of shows out there with wacky, unstable characters who come together to form a family bond. However, there are very few who do it with such ease as the actors on Stumptown.

Do you want more Stumptown? Let us know in the comments section below.