Will Ashley’s and Miles’ relationship survive? Apparently, that will be left to the imagination of fans of the Oakland-set TV series “Blindspotting.”
The sequel to the2018 filmof the same name that starred Bay Area nativesDaveed Diggs and Rafael Casalis one of four series canceled by streaming and cable channel Starz, according toVariety.
The others were “Heels,” about a small-scale independent wrestling league; “Run the World,” which centered on friends living in Harlem as they navigate life, careers and relationships; and “The Venery of Samantha Bird,” about a woman who finds love while visiting family in New England.
“Blindspotting,” “Heels” and “Run of the World” all have aired their second seasons, while “The Venery of Samantha Bird” was filming its first season when the Hollywood strikes shut down production.
Starz has not officially confirmed the cancellations, and neither Casal nor Diggs have publicly commented.
While the film “Blindspotting” focused onCollin (Diggs) and Miles (Casal)and how their enduring friendship helps them negotiate a city struggling with issues of criminal justice and gentrification, the series focuses on Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones), who, after her boyfriend Miles is thrown in prison, struggles to raise their son. To make ends meet, she moves in with Miles’ mother Rainey (Helen Hunt).
Theseries featured a wealth of Bay Area talent. The Oakland-born Diggs, part of the original cast of “Hamilton” and star of the TNT series “Snowpiercer,” served as an executive producer, while Berkeley-born Casal served as showrunner as well as co-star. The cast also included Benjamin Earl Turner, a Bay Area-raised actor and recording artist who has known Casal since their days in the East Bay slam poetry scene, and Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Artistic DirectorMargo Hall.
At aseason two premiere partyin April at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, Casal said he envisioned season three and beyond.
“We do this show for everybody in this room,” Casal told the crowd. “We do the show in your name. This was a labor of love, and we cannot do this without you. We want to represent the Bay as well as we can, and y’all make that possible.”
However, it appears “Blindspotting” fell victim to a wave of belt-tightening by Hollywood streamers, which have been cutting back because of declining revenue and the work stoppages caused by the strikes.
Both seasons are still available to stream on Starz.
Reach G. Allen Johnson: ajohnson@sfchronicle.com