ABC's 'No Ordinary Family' mixed elements of popular superhero franchises but struggled to sustain its audience, leading to its cancellation after one season in 2011.
In 2010, ABC introduced No Ordinary Family, a superhero series that sought to distinguish itself in a landscape dominated by similar shows. Featuring Julie Benz and Michael Chiklis as Stephanie and Jim Powell, the series explored what happened after a suburban family gained superhuman abilities from a plane crash in the Amazon. Jim, with new super-strength and near-invincibility, and scientist Stephanie, who gained super-speed, navigated their altered lives alongside their teenage children, Daphne (Kay Panabaker) and JJ (Jimmy Bennett), who received telepathy and super-intelligence, respectively. This unique premise aimed to offer a mix of superhuman action and relatable family dynamics.
As the storyline unfolded, the Powells struggled not only with their newfound abilities but also with the complications that arose in their daily lives, including the dilemmas of parenting teenagers with extraordinary powers. The family dynamics added depth to the series, making the superhuman aspects of their lives secondary to the relatable issues of love, trust, and communication within the family unit.
Upon its premiere in September 2010, No Ordinary Family attracted a modest audience, garnering a 3.2 rating among adults aged 18 to 49, with total viewership around 10.69 million, according to TV Series Finale. Critics initially received the show positively, reflected in a 73% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. E! News rated it as the third-best new show of the fall season, praising its action-packed sequences, humor, and engaging cast. This early acclaim suggested a promising future for the series, as Vulture described it as a lively action-comedy that cleverly mixed the premise of Pixar's The Incredibles with a nod to 1980s hit The Greatest American Hero.
Despite a solid start, No Ordinary Family struggled to maintain its momentum. Critics observed a decline in quality as the series veered away from the family-centric storylines that were its hallmark, shifting toward less engaging villain arcs. This shift led to unfavorable comparisons with the later seasons of NBC's Heroes. As ratings dwindled, ABC reduced the show's initial 22-episode order to 20, ultimately canceling it in May 2011, shortly after the Season 1 finale aired. The show's inability to sustain itself amid fierce competition from reality shows like American Idol and The Biggest Loser proved detrimental to its survival.
Julie Benz, reflecting on the show's challenges, noted in an interview with the NY Daily News that the series faced intense competition from major reality shows. She acknowledged that the possibility of cancellation became apparent as the season progressed, emphasizing a realistic acceptance of the show's trajectory. "I think we created a great show," Benz remarked, pointing out that they were on a very tough night with immense competition.
For those interested in revisiting No Ordinary Family, the show is not available on major streaming platforms. However, it received an official DVD release, and the entire 20-episode season is available for digital purchase in HD through platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV. Despite its cancellation, No Ordinary Family holds significance as an early entry in the superhero genre, illustrating the difficulties of balancing family narratives with action elements. Its underperformance serves as a cautionary tale for network decision-makers concerning the balance of action and character-driven storytelling.
No Ordinary Family is a case study in the complexities of viewer engagement in the superhero genre. It serves as a reminder that even promising concepts can falter without a strong, consistent focus on character development and storytelling. The series highlights the ongoing quest for fresh narratives that resonate with audiences in the increasingly crowded landscape of superhero television.
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