HBO has abruptly pulled the plug on its freshman series Luck on Wednesday after a third horse died during production of the horse-racing show.
The cable network released a a statement saying:
“It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series.”
Filming of the second season of Luck had already begun, however, the deaths of two horses during production of season one brought the series under intense scrutiny from animal-rights groups.
In the latest death, the horse was being walked back to its barn when it “reared up, fell backwards and was injured,” according to TVLine.com.
A representative from the American Humane Association, who was on the set at the time, expressed in a statement that the injury was untreatable.
Initial reports had surfaced claiming HBO had agreed to shut down production pending an investigation, but late Wednesday afternoon reports say the series had been officially canceled.
“Safety is always of paramount concern,” HBO said in its statement. “While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.”
Despite struggling ratings, the cable network said it remains “immensely proud” of the series, including its “celebration of the culture of horses.” The first season of Luck will continue to air Sundays on HBO.
