EXCLUSIVE: HBO has decided not to proceed with a second season The franchisehis superhero film satire from creator/executive producer Jon Brown and executive producers Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci.

“We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the enormously talented team behind it The franchiseparticularly Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “Although we will not be continuing another season, we look forward to working with everyone in the future.”

The move comes just over a month after the first season finale on November 24th The franchiseis not entirely surprising. Showbiz comedies are huge successes that don’t always resonate with audiences. This was the case with the well-reviewed copies The franchise (74% on Rotten Tomatoes), which didn’t make the top 10 of Nielsen’s streaming rankings.

Iannucci has a longstanding relationship with HBO. He created and executive produced one of the network’s most acclaimed comedy series: Veep, and science fiction comedy Avenue 5.

The eight-part season 1 of The franchise follows the crew of an unloved film franchise as they fight for their place in a wild and unruly cinematic universe. According to the official logline, the series shines a light on the secret chaos in the world of superhero filmmaking and asks the question: How exactly is the cinematic sausage made? Because all crap has an origin story.

Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell starred The franchisewith Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl among the recurring cast members.

Brown executive produced alongside Iannucci through his Dundee Productions banner and Mendes through his All3Media-backed production company Neal Street Productions. Oscar winner Mendes, who came up with the idea, directed the pilot episode. Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown and Julie Pastor also executive produced Neal Street.