Sci-Fi Storm

We were waiting for the axe to drop, and now it finally has – Syfy has officially canceled Haven after 5 seasons, although 13 episodes remain to air. Syfy had previously said they would wait for the second half of Season 5 to air before making a decision, but when the airing got pushed on the schedule to October, a year after it was filmed, it seemed more and more likely that it would not get renewed.

There were a number of factors working against it. Earlier this year the Nova Scotia government voted to significantly cut the film tax credit given to productions in the province, where Haven was filmed. While this may not have been a direct factor, it would have made the cost of production increase even more.

Also, production typically took place during the summer, where an ice rink in Chester served as the primary studio, with external shots typically taking place around Chester and Lunenburg. When the double-sized season was ordered last year, it meant that production would extend past their typical August end date into December, and Chester needed their ice rink back. So they used a vacated warehouse in Halifax for the second half. If they continued production at this late date, they would still need an alternate studio location.

Plus, contracts for actors, production, storage, etc. only last so long.

I was in Nova Scotia this past week, and people were still hopeful production would begin again. Haven brought $28 million to the province and $1 million just for Chester in local spending.

Fortunately for fans, as mentioned there are still 13 episodes yet to air and they will starting October 8th. And if there is never to be more Haven, they will wrap things up nicely, but the door is still open…TheWrap has a nice interview with showrunner Gabrielle Stanton about the ending. And fans have already started #SaveHaven in the hopes more can be done.