by Thinus Ferreira
America's CBS TV network has decided to cancel the drama series Bull after six seasons after Michael Weatherly decided to quit the troubled series.
"It's been my privilege to play Dr Jason Bull but after 6 seasons of incredible storylines, I've decided it's time to pursue new creative challenges and bring his story to a close," Michael Weatherly announced on Twitter late on Tuesday, saying "It has been an honour to work with this talented cast, crew, and writing/producing team who helped reinvent the legal drama".
"Stay tuned for a big series finish. Thanks to all the fans from the bottom of my heart. You will always be a part of our Bull family!"
Bull's 6th season will end in May in America, with the drama series, produced by CBS Studios in association with Stage 29 Productions, that has been shown on M-Net (DStv 101) in South Africa.
Created by Dr Phil McGraw and Paul Attanasio, Bull was inspired by Phil McGraw's earlier career with stories about the employees at the jury-consulting firm Trial Analysis Corporation.
CBS, in a statement about the cancellation of Bull, says "For six seasons Bull has established itself as a ratings winner with its fresh take on the judicial process never before seen on television".
"We extend our thanks to the talented cast, Michael Weatherly, Geneva Carr, Yara Martinez, Jaime Lee Kirchner, Christopher Jackson, MacKenzie Meehan, the incredible creative team led by Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard, and our hard-working crew, for bringing to life these innovative stories."
"We also thank our loyal viewers and look forward to providing them with a final run of compelling episodes filled with the humour, intelligence and twists that have made the drama a fan favourite."
In 2018 Bull and Michael Weatherly were plunged into scandal after revelations that former co-star Elia Dushku complained about alleged lewd on-set behaviour and sexual harassment behind-the-scenes from Michael Weatherly - something that got her fired and her character written out of the show.
Following another internal investigation, the Bull showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron was reportedly recently fired from the series for creating an unhealthy working environment and actor Freddy Rodriguez also exited the series after an investigation.