‘Matador’ Cancelled By El Rey Network After One Season

Robert Rodriguez‘s El Rey Network has opted not to move forward with a second season of its original action drama series Matador. Launched in July, following the World Cup, Matador starred Gabriel Luna as a DEA agent recruited by the CIA to go undercover as a professional soccer player. The series, whose 13-episode first season ended its run in October, was created by Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, with Rodriguez directing the opening hour. I hear Matador, an expensive production shot in Los Angeles and backed by El Rey, did OK in its U.S. run. But the series, described as a Latino take on James Bond, did not do as well as its producers had hoped internationally where its sales were soft despite a strong initial interest, leading to the decision not to proceed with Season 2.

“Ultimately it was a business decision but to be clear, we were very proud of the series on every level-creatively it hit the mark and we are gratified that it celebrated diversity in front of the cameras and behind the scenes,” El Rey said in a statement. “We want to thank everyone involved, from the extraordinarily talented cast and crew to the amazing production team. We appreciate all that they have done and look forward to the opportunity to work with them in the future.”

Matador, which starred Luna, Alfred Molina, Nicky Whelan and Neil Hopkins, was El Rey’s second original scripted series. The first, Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, already has been renewed for a second season.