Carina Adly MacKenzie, the creator of Roswell, New Mexico, has left her position as co-showrunner of the series ahead of Season 3 due to “fundamental differences.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter story that broke the news, the decision comes after MacKenzie’s relationship with studio Warner Bros. Television has “been strained for some time,” citing a Twitter incident in which MacKenzie criticized UK distributor ITV over cutting a gay love scene from the broadcast of the show that led Warner Bros. to have to do “damage control” as a recent example. More broadly, the article states: “During her time on the show, she is said to have fostered a working environment that some say was rife with tension.”
Shortly after the departure news broke on THR, MacKenzie made her own announcement via Twitter, writing: “This week, I made the difficult decision to resign from my role on Roswell, New Mexico. I obviously don’t take this decision lightly, but ultimately due to fundamental differences, I’m departing and entrusting [Roswell, New Mexico] to capable hands. I’m so proud of what we built over the last two years, and I believe in the heart and soul of the show: asking tough questions, striving to make the world better, amplifying marginalized voices, and fighting the good fight.”
MacKenzie continued: “Because there’s a lot of nonsense getting spread around, let me make it clear this decision has nothing to do with any of the cast, crew or writers.”
The show will continue on without MacKenzie. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a Warner Bros. TV spokesperson said: “Carina Adly MacKenzie has departed as executive producer/co-showrunner of Roswell, New Mexico. The third season of the series will return to The CW as part of the network’s 2021 midseason lineup.”
Co-showrunner Christopher Hollier is expected to remain in his role for Season 3. Writing work has already begun on the upcoming season. In her tweet, MacKenzie said: “Over the last few months, the team and I broke the Season 3 story together, I had talks with the actors about the season character journeys. I put my finishing touches on the season premiere this week.”
Roswell, New Mexico stars Jeanine Mason, Nathan Dean, Michael Vlamis, Lily Cowles, Tyler Blackburn, Heather Hemmens, Michael Trevino and Amber Midthunder. It is a loose adaptation of the Roswell High book series written by Melinda Metz. The books were previously adapted into a TV series that ran on The WB and then UPN from 1999 to 2002. You can find out more about Roswell, New Mexico Season 3 here.