Milo Ventimiglia’s 'American Blue' pilot gets canceled at HBO Max

HBO Max will not move forward with Milo Ventimiglia’s 'American Blue', while the cop drama may find another home

HBO Max has decided not to move forward with American Blue, a cop drama pilot starring Milo Ventimiglia, Variety has confirmed.

The project was one of two drama pilots commissioned by the streamer under a production model inspired by The Pitt. The approach was designed around producing approximately 15 episodes per season on a more modest budget while allowing shows to return with new seasons annually.

While American Blue will not continue at HBO Max, the other pilot developed under the same model, How to Survive Without Me, is reportedly in a stronger position and could receive a series order.

Ventimiglia led the cast of American Blue as Brian “Milk” Milkovich, a Joliet, Illinois, native who returns to his hometown to help revive a struggling police department while attempting to find personal redemption.

The ensemble cast included Kelly Jenrette, Carlito Olivero, Onye Eme-Akwari, Jess Gabor, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Paulina Olszynski, Algee Smith, Jeremy Bobb, Rich Sommer, Jesse Garcia, Wrenn Schmidt, Ellyn Jameson and Maisie Merlock.

Jeremy Carver created American Blue and served as an executive producer alongside Brian Udovich and Neil Reynolds. David Ayer directed the pilot and also executive produced the project.

Warner Bros. Television served as the studio behind the cop drama. Carver is under an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.

Although HBO Max has passed on American Blue, the pilot could still have a future. Warner Bros. Television is reportedly shopping the project to other potential outlets, leaving open the possibility that Ventimiglia’s police drama could eventually find a new home.

The news marks another change for Ventimiglia, who has continued to build a television career following major roles in series including This Is Us and Gilmore Girls.