In a sad footnote to Patrick Swayze's ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer, his A&E series, The Beast, has been officially canceled. The series, about a rogue undercover FBI agent, premiered in January to mixed reviews and lukewarm audience response (it averaged 1.3 million viewers in its 13-episode run) — it proved a confusing vehicle for Swayze's talents at best, boring some while striking others as a spot-on parody of cop shows. (The extended trailer, embedded below, gives you a good overall snapshot of the show and his role.) But if there was one thing critics agreed on, it was the star quality ofSwayze, whose health struggles never cracked his gritty performance.He's the perfect made-for-cable star, who captures vast reserves ofaudience affection but needed a meaty role to redefine himself as morethan the Dirty Dancing and Ghost guy.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Will you miss The Beast? Was it a Swayze-worthy vehicle?
More on 'The Beast':
EW Review: 'The Beast'
Patrick Swayze's 'Beast' premiere: What did you think?
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I never saw the show. Made for cable shows are usually not that great imo. Execpt for some of the HBO and Showtime ones. I only wish Mr. Swayze well. Stay strong!!!
I really tried to get into this show, because Swayze was incredible. Definitely the best role of his career. The rest of the show was unfortunately quite uneven and uninvolving. It’s a shame that only at the end of his life was he finally given this opportunity to demonstrate his considerable dramatic talents.
I liked the series, especially the relationship between Patrick Swayze’s character and that of his co-star’s. I hope that the program being cancelled gives Swayze more time to enjoy with his wife.
I really liked the show , it was different from other show’s on tv, picture seemed a little dark at times kinda like csi ny but I would of watched it at least one more year to see where it was going.
Swayze would have been enough to draw me in, but with the bonus of Travis Fimmel the yum factor kept me tuning in for sure. It had it’s interesting moments, and of course Swayze got to actually show his acting chops, yay! Sure, the overall show was a bit uneven, but what show isn’t? I would have kept watching. C’est la vie.
I like Patrick Swayze as much as anyone else, but honestly, after watching the 20/20 Special on him and how he was saying that he was in excruciating pain everyday on set and on top of that dying of an incurable cancer, I honestly did not want to watch a show where I was watching him slowly fade away on screen. It would have been too sad to watch.
This is so incredibly sad. Yes, I’ll miss The Beast, but just knowing Patrick is so sick, makes me so sad. I pray for a medical miracle. God Bless you Patrick and Lisa.
I was so hoping this show would come back. I really loved the show. It would be impossible to recast Charles Barker. This is disappointing, but not surprising.
PATRICK SWAYZE you are my idol. I pray for you everyday and your wife .M ay god be with you both you have been my favorite actor of all times. LOVE YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU
PATRICK SWAYZE you are my inspiration my prayer are with you and your wife.And let god be with you. You are my favorite actor of all times. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR WIFE
I like most of the people leaving comments on here am a fan of Patricks. I think it’s devastating and tragic that he has to endure this kind of pain. I could not bring myself to watch the Beast because I would have felt like I was watching him slowly die before my eyes. I’d rather remember the good days like ” Dirty Dancing & Road House”
First, I think it is amazing that Patrick is still alive. My mom died 3 weeks after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. It took Michael Landon very quickly too. And, having that show probably gave Patrick a bit of extra incentive to fight. But, I always wondered why they would start something when the star was so incredibly sick to begin with. That was not really fair to do to the fans either. I am praying for poor Patrick and his family.
First, I think it is amazing that Patrick is still alive. My mom died 3 weeks after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. It took Michael Landon very quickly too. And, having that show probably gave Patrick a bit of extra incentive to fight. But, I always wondered why they would start something when the star was so incredibly sick to begin with. That was not really fair to do to the fans either. I am praying for poor Patrick and his family.
I’m not going to pretend that I’m a big fan of Patrick; however, he’s a decent actor, but this is just awful what has happened to him. I can’t believe he’s still alive either. I also had a friend who was diagnosed with this awful disease and died within 3 week as well.
I don’t have the channel so couldn’t watch. Enjoyed this trailer, though … love Patrick Swayze’s energy, courage and spirit. Can’t take my eyes off him when I see him on the screen
I thought he proved he could take on serious roles when he did that movie set in Calcutta, but it was never widely shown. My prayers go out to him and his wife.
Yo mean City of Joy, his best work of all time, second being The Beast.
My wife and i watched the show like a religion. If we couldnt be home we would dvr it and watch it the next day. Very good show. Well writtrn and by far some of Swayze’s best acting aside from Ghost. The only downside was that if ya missed a week, you were lost . Well done and our best whishes to the Swayze family
Whether it was cancelled or not, the Beast was an absolute TRIUMPH for Mr. Swayze, all his fans, and his fellow cancer sufferers. This was much more than a TV show, this was one man giving cancer the finger while putting on a spectacular and gritty performance and refusing to give in or feel sorry for himself. And he completed all of it while in excruciating pain and refusing to take any drugs that would dull his senses! If there was ever a definition of success and triumph, that’s it. In that sense, no mattter how you look at it, the Beast was a runaway hit. I will always regard the Beast as Swayze’s greatest role and I am a bigger fan of his more now than ever. Before I was just a fan of his on screen. Now I’m a fan off screen as well. I look forward to his many future roles in the years to come.
Whether it was cancelled or not, the Beast was an absolute TRIUMPH for Mr. Swayze, all his fans, and his fellow cancer sufferers. This was much more than a TV show, this was one man giving cancer the finger while putting on a spectacular and gritty performance and refusing to give in or feel sorry for himself. And he completed all of it while in excruciating pain and refusing to take any drugs that would dull his senses! If there was ever a definition of success and triumph, that’s it. In that sense, no mattter how you look at it, the Beast was a runaway hit. I will always regard the Beast as Swayze’s greatest role and I am a bigger fan of his more now than ever. Before I was just a fan of his on screen. Now I’m a fan off screen as well. I look forward to his many future roles in the years to come.
I think Patrick Swayze is an incredible person and a fabulous actor I will keep him in my prayer as well as his family, he is a very compasionate man and I love watching him.
The Beast was great.So sad we won’t see more. Patrick Swayze and his co stars were watchable and believeable.Hope Patrick is fighting his battle well.
To Patrick and his wife spend as much time together as you can. I have lost several family members to cancer. Saver every precious minute, don’t leave anything unsaid to one another. You both have my prayers.
I watched he show,just wonderful. A was always a big fan of Patrick an i will always be, he is an amazing person,great, great actor and i truly believe in miracles. I know that God can heal anyone who believes that he is the GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE. I hope that Patrick and Lisa will continue to fight and know that nothing is impossible for GOD. I will continue to pray for them.
I really enjoy his acting skills and he has always been my all time favorite actor. Beings that my Mother lost her battle with lung cancer in October of 2008, made me want to keep close tabs on Patrick’s progress and I pray that he will beat this beast that we call Cancer. I hope the best for him and his family may God greatly bless and keep them always.
I am sorry to see the show will not have a second season, but I am happy we had thirteen episodes of great acting. Patrick Swayze did a great job and redefined his acting, whereas Travis Fimmel showed us he’s a new acting talent with a lot of surprises. I hope The Beast will lead to more work for Fimmel, who at times reminded me of a young Brad Pitt.
I love you Patrick Swayze…..I have watched Dirty Dancing many times. Your the best! God bless you!
You are a very amazing man. Your will to live even more so. I loved the show. I watched it the first time only because you were there. Fight a good fight and know at least a million and a half people are fighting with you. Let’s pray someday someone figures out how to stop cancer in it’s tracks. Too many wonderful people are lost to it and it’s a waste.
Thank you Patrick and Lisa for all of your amazing talents, emotions and love you have allowed all of your fans to share. Hang in their as I believe you have the tansiety and fight to overcome anything as long as you have each other. Many blessings and love being sent your way.
Having watched The Beast in England on five usa I thought the show was excellent & was disappointed when it came to an end. Sorry to hear they have cancelled a new series, Patrick’s acting was superb as usual & especially so due to the amazing bravery & effort it took to undertake this role. The rest of the cast also did an excellent job.
Patrick,
I am a cancer survivor who remembers the feelings of helplessness that are quickly transformed into an infinite determination to overcome every obstacle, and to live each moment to its fullest. To smell the air every morning, to savor the comfort of a loved one’s embrace, to stop and take notice, and to ENJOY IT.
You have been given a gift to stop and take notice of those aspects of life, and to add more life to your years, which is one aspect of life you can NEVER lose control of.
Fight the good fight my friend, and know that this world is a much better place bcause you were a part of it! Good luck to you Patrick and family.
I watched the show religiously on Five USA here in the UK, and although I got a bit confused at times I wouldn’t have missed it for the world as Patrick was phenomenal. I wish Patrick and Lisa special times together and send lots of love xx