Andi Mack cancelled: Disney axes show with first gay character
Andi Mack’s gay character Cyrus Goodman (YouTube)
Disney Channel has cancelled the groundbreaking Andi Mack, which was its first TV show to feature an openly gay character.
Andi Mack—which is in its third season—is currently on hiatus. Disney Channel announced yesterday that it will be returning on June 21 to air its remaining episodes, but said that they will be the last fans see of the hit show.
The announcement has led to an outpouring of emotion from fans online, with many urging Disney to keep the show going with the hashtag #SaveAndiMack.
Cyrus Goodman came out as gay in a 2017 episode of Andi Mack
In a 2017 episode of Andi Mack, Cyrus Goodman—who is played by Joshua Rush—told his friend, Buffy, that he liked another boy.
In an episode that aired in February of this year, Cyrus became the first Disney character to say the words: “I’m gay.”
The show was created by Terri Minsky and centred around 13-year-old Andi and her interactions with her two best friends Cyrus and Buffy.
“We were its first serialized show, its first series centered around an Asian-American family and its first to feature an LGBTQ character who spoke the words, ‘I’m gay.'”
– Andi Mack creator Terri Minsky
“Andi Mack was a labor of love for a room of impassioned, inventive writers, a talented and dedicated crew, and an extraordinary, miraculous cast who inspired us all,” Minsky said.
“We had the honor of breaking a lot of new ground for Disney Channel. We were its first serialized show, its first series centered around an Asian-American family and its first to feature an LGBTQ character who spoke the words, ‘I’m gay.'”
“But the best part of making Andi Mack was our audience, who let us know we mattered to them. The series finale is for them.”
Andi Mack’s gay character Cyrus Goodman (YouTube)
Andi Mack is Disney’s most-watched series
Meanwhile, Disney Channel president Gary Marsh said: “Three years ago, we challenged Terri Minsky to create a new series that expanded and broadened the Disney Channel brand. And so was born Andi Mack.
“We are forever grateful to Terri, her talented team and the outstanding cast, led by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, for delivering a meaningful and satisfying conclusion to three wonderful seasons of this brilliant series.”
Andi Mack is Disney Channel’s most-watched series and its highest-rated among Kids 6-14.
It is also the recipient of a Television Academy Honor, a GLAAD Media Award, a U.S. Asia Institute honor, the Common Sense Media Seal for Quality Family Programming and a Peabody Award nomination.
Actor Joshua Rush said the show was ‘lightning in a bottle’
Actor Joshua Rush, who plays Cyrus Goodman in Andi Mack, posted on Twitter to express his sadness that the show is coming to an end.
“When it started to become clear that we were nearing the end as we shot the end of S3, I had a heart to heart with Terri Minsky. I told her this show was something more than what came out on screen. I told her it was lightning in a bottle,” he said.
“It’s an incredible honor that Disney Channel would have me play such a groundbreaking and layered character. I’m humbled by their generosity every day.”
