Wild Cards has had a profound run on The CW, with its woman-led narratives and the unique way of solving high-profile cases. Starring Riverdale's Vanessa Morgan as Max and Grey's Anatomy's Giacomo Gianniotti as Cole, the two struck up a romance while working alongside in law enforcement.
The procedural's original broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or the CBC, has renewed the fan-favorite Wild Cards for seasons 3 and 4 on May 1, continuing the engaging and well-thought-out storylines. The news from the CBC was also made ahead of the Wild Cards season 2 finale, "Sunrise, Sunset," which aired May 7 on the CW network.
However, fans shouldn't be throwing up their celebratory confetti just yet, as The CW hasn't determined Wild Cards' fate for the network. The news comes as a mild shock, as despite the show's positive fan reach, The CW has been chipping away at scripted programming and injecting more sports material. It also didn't help that Nextstar acquired The CW in 2022 and cancelled many of its original shows, leaving the network a ghost of its former glory.
Why the CW should renew Wild Cards
Season 2 of Wild Cards introduced compelling new characters and stirred up the already rising drama. The 100's Marie Avgeropolous, Martin Sheen, and the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality Kyle Richards have all made cameos, with Sheen having the most screen time.
Then, you have Max and Cole's heated chemistry, adding to the charm of their respective careers. Shows don't always need to follow pairing the male and female leads, but if it'll benefit the story's element, then it will happen. Canonically, Max and Cole's relationship works in Wild Cards, as it has a natural build-up and common ground. Yet, it could've worked platonically too, because of their friendship and the employee environment.
Wild Cards is one of the few remaining original dramas on The CW, co-produced with the CBC. If the network decides not to renew it, it will be a great loss for them and the fans, who helped Wild Cards succeed. I'd hate to see a network fail, as its reign was once backed by some of TV's highly immersive series.
Not granting Wild Cards' renewal and worth will further deplete The CW's last strand of its legacy. The series may not be nominated for an Emmy (but scored four Leo Award nominations) or have the success of past shows on the station. However, it does carry well in terms of story writing, acting, and production values.
Here's to hoping that The CW does the right thing and continues Wild Cards, so that its crime-fighting universe continues.