Fans aren’t the only ones upset about the cancellation of The Baker and the Beauty. 

Nathalie Kelley, who stars as lead Noa Hamilton, released a statement about ABC’s decision to cancel a show centered around a solely Latinx family after one season. 

Earlier in the week, the cast took to social media to share their thoughts about the network’s decision stating that they are shopping around the series to the “right” network. 

The series was canceled after one season just like Eva Longoria’s Latinx-focused series Grand Hotel last summer. 

Read Nathalie Kelley’s full statement below: 

Now more than ever, the world is waking up to the importance of diversity and representation on our televisions. We want networks to commit wholeheartedly to ensuring that BIPOC, LATINX and LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups, get a chance to tell our stories. Baker and The Beauty was a show that embodied the themes of unity, empathy, and compassion, all of which are so needed in our national discourse right now.

For years, Latinx stories were limited to drug cartels, maids and the ‘spicy latina’ sex object. I credit ABC for letting us tell the story of a loving, wholesome and hilarious Cuban-American family on network TV. I praise them for allowing the youngest daughter Natalie’s LGBTQ storyline be central to our show. I am also forever grateful to them for casting me, an Indigenous woman, as the lead female role. Noa Hamilton was not written for a woman of color, but they cast me anyway. And I could not be prouder of what we all did and the show we created.

These stories create empathy, and there is nothing that we need more in these times than unity, empathy and compassion. That is why it was especially sad to not see them follow through on their support for our beloved series. Nevertheless I remain hopeful that there is a platform out there that will jump on the opportunity to give this show a new home. A chance to send a meaningful message to our communities that they hear our passion, our voices coming from our streets, demanding visibility and justice. The Baker and the Beauty is a beautiful show, one that means so much to so many people. It’s full of love, laughter, inspiration, and comfort. And I cannot think of anything more necessary during these times.

Sincerely,

Nathalie Kelley

You can sign  RIGHT HERE petition now. 

Karey Burke, president of ABC Entertainment, told Deadline that ratings were “primarily” the reason for the cancellation.

Eva Longoria took to Instagram to share how upset she is about another Latino-focused series getting the boot from ABC. 

The network cancelled The Baker and the Beauty after just one season earlier this week. 

The series, adapted from an Israeli show, focuses on a Latino family, the Garcia’s, as they navigate their sons new relationship with Hollywood fashion mogul, Noa Hamilton (played by Nathalie Kelley).

‘The Baker and the Beauty’ Canceled After Season 1 at ABC But Might Find ‘Right Home’

The first show centered around a Latino family was Longoria’s summer drama Grand Hotel, which was pulled after one season. 

“This is bad news for the Latino community! Why doesn’t @abcnetwork give it more of a chance for our gente to find the show?! And “gente” where are you guys? Show up and get loud. Representation matters on television! This was a sweet show about a good family! And one of the only Latino shows out there! We need this show to find another home! Show your support with the hashtags below and let’s flex our community power! ✊🏽✊🏽,” she wrote on Instagram. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBhM-sfplgw/

The cast, including Kelley and Lisa Vidal, shared that they are hopeful the series will get picked up by a network that’s more fitting.

“There are over 500 television shows on air, and ZERO latino shows on network TV right now, and only a handful on streaming. The Baker and the beauty is a well written diverse show about a Latin family preppers denting our Latino culture in a positive light. It pretty much is for every family to watch. It would be tragic if this show just disappears at a time when the diversity issue in our country is front and center. When the lack of inclusion is at an all time high as well. We have two weeks to find a new home for our beautiful show the Baker and the Beauty…. please help support us and bring attention in anyway you can to help us save our show… we love you guys and we are grateful for you,” Vidal wrote. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBgr61YHV2U/

Kelley shared a petition on Change.org to save the series. It’s amassed more than 25,000 signatures overnight. 

Kelley acknowledged that the show was an underdog, didn’t have the right amount of promotion from the network, and wasn’t supported as much as it should be by the Latino community. 

“From the beginning we were the underdog. Nobody expected we would get picked up, everyone was surprised when we got great reviews. While many of our Latin community did show their support for the show, the majority didn’t (You know who you are. Sadly jealousy in our community is a real issue but that’s what happens when your people have never been given a seat at the table) There wasn’t much network support or enough advertising, yet we persevered, promoted the show on our own, organized campaigns, watching parties, saw a ratings bump for our finale – but it was still not enough and now we’re in the position of having to fight for the survival of our show. I now know how most Latinos in this country feel – made to do all the hard work and still overlooked! And this is despite universally positive reviews and a fan base that is more engaged than anything any of us has worked on. I won’t say anything negative here about the network that was gracious enough to put us on the air. I want to find another home with a platform that understands the need for a show like this right now,” she wrote.” 

View this post on Instagram

Please repost! ❤️If there’s one thing being on @bakerandthebeauty has taught me is that there is nothing like the love and resilience of a Latino family. ❤️Even in the face of adversity we don’t give up and we fight for our dreams and that’s exactly what we have done for this last year of our lives while working on and promoting the show. From the beginning we were the underdog. Nobody expected we would get picked up, everyone was surprised when we got great reviews. While many of our Latin community did show their support for the show, the majority didn’t (You know who you are. Sadly jealousy in our community is a real issue but that’s what happens when your people have never been given a seat at the table) There wasn’t much network support or enough advertising, yet we persevered, promoted the show on our own, organized campaigns, watching parties, saw a ratings bump for our finale – but it was still not enough and now we’re in the position of having to fight for the survival of our show. I now know how most Latinos in this country feel – made to do all the hard work and still overlooked! And this is despite universally positive reviews and a fan base that is more engaged than anything any of us has worked on. I won’t say anything negative here about the network that was gracious enough to put us on the air. I want to find another home with a platform that understands the need for a show like this right now. Especially at a moment in time when we are becoming aware of how important representation is of our black and brown communities. Especially when love and laughter is the medicine you all agree is what we need right now! In my bio is the link to sign the petition to save the show. Our wonderful studio is shopping it now and your online support will only boost our chances. Latinos especially. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Maybe you were asleep earlier or feeling envious or not supportive. I forgive you! But now Is the time to stand with your people and ensure that our stories get told. Today it’s us, tomorrow it could be your show. Use this hashtag #savethebakerandthebeauty and tell everyone why we need this show ❤️let’s do this!!

A post shared by nathalie kelley ☀️ (@natkelley) on Jun 16, 2020 at 8:16pm PDT

If you’re a fan of the series, you can sign the petition right here! Also share it on socials with the hashtag #savethebakerandthebeauty. 

I initially imagine the show would be a summer fling that lasts once the cool breeze begins floating in, but I was wrong, The show had heart, it made Miami a character, it gaves us diversity, it broke down stereotypes; it was a summer fling that was meant to last more than one season.

So, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, someone — STEP UP! 

You can read all our The Baker and the Beauty reviews right here. 

We might not get to see a happily ever after between Noa Hamilton and Daniel Garcia because ABC just canceled The Baker and the Beauty after one season. 

The rom-com, based on the Israeli show, was left on the bubble after its two-hour June finale before the network made the call not to pursue a second season, according to Deadline.

During the finale, many storylines were wrapped up including the main romance between baker boy and the famous starlet. However, the cliffhanger set things up for more drama to come as the couple made a haste decision to get married. 

Slightly more captivating than the relationship between Noa and Daniel was the bubbling romance between Daniel’s brother, Mateo, and Daniel’s ex-almost-fiancee, Vanessa. 

Fans were also invested in the Garcia family’s bakery and whether or not they would sell to a corporate buyer. 

While ABC may not be interested in taking this relationship further, Nathalie Kelley (who played Noa Hamilton) told fans not to worry.

She shared a message about the cancellation in which she revealed she’s hopeful the series will get picked up by the right network! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBeiIqWjcY7/

“Hey everyone! This is a @bakerandthebeauty update to announce we will not be continuing on @abcnetwork – though thankful to them for the opportunity to tell this story. BUT – don’t despair! We are optimistic that the show will find a right home – and we will get to make a season two on a platform more suitable for us and for the amazing fan base,” she wrote on Instagram. 

She also tweeted: “Guys we appreciate the love and well wishes following ABC’s decision not to renew us for a second season. But honestly their loss will be someone else’s gain, so stay hopeful and activated about the show while we find it the right home!”

Guys we appreciate the love and well wishes following ABC’s decision not to renew us for a second season. But honestly their loss will be someone else’s gain, so stay hopeful and activated about the show while we find it the right home! Love u all #thebakerandthebeauty

— Nathalie Kelley (@natkelley) June 16, 2020

Despite low-ratings, the series was a fun escape from reality during the pandemic where there wasn’t much live programming. Audiences said the series drew similarities to the Eva Longoria-led summer escape, Grand Hotel, which was also prematurely pulled by ABC after one season.

I’ll be the first to say that the cancellation is a shame, but considering that Grand Hotel didn’t fare better, it was almost expected on ABC’s part, unfortunately. 

The series also starred Victor Rasuk and Dan Bucatinsky. 

ABC renewed the on-the-bubble drama For Life. 

You can read our reviews of The Baker and the Beauty right here. And if you didn’t get a chance to watch while the show was airing live, I wouldn’t let the cancellation deter you — the feel-good series is like a fleeting summer romance that you simply cannot and should not resist. 

Plus, we’re crossing our fingers that the show returns on a new network! Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime — the possibilities are endless!