Containment, the 2016 CW television series, was cancelled after only one season of 13 episodes due to a combination of low ratings, high production costs, and creative decisions. The series was originally developed as a limited event series based on the Belgian drama Cordon, meaning it was intended to tell a complete story in one season with a closed ending, rather than being an ongoing multi-season show. However, The CW had initially left the door open for a second season if ratings were strong. Unfortunately, ratings declined significantly after the premiere, which drew about 1.7 million viewers, dropping to under 1 million viewers per episode by the end of the season, which is low even for The CW. The network also faced high production costs because the show required extensive location shooting in Atlanta, hazmat suits, quarantine sets, and large crowd scenes to depict the cordon. Critically, it received mixed reviews with a 53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which did not help buzz. Additionally, The CW had a crowded slate of DC superhero shows that performed better in the same demographic. In May 2016, The CW announced it would not renew Containment, and the creators confirmed the finale was designed to work as a series finale, wrapping up most storylines, though some fans felt the ending was rushed and wanted more resolution for characters.
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