Prime Video has decided not to renew YA drama Motorheads for a second season, more than three months after its 10-episode debut on May 20. The cancellation comes despite the series maintaining a loyal fan base, strong completion rates, and consistently ranking in Prime Video’s U.S. Top 10.
Producers Searching for a New Platform
While fans campaigned for a renewal across X and TikTok, producers — with Amazon’s permission — are already shopping the series to other platforms. Executive producer Jason Seagraves expressed both disappointment and optimism, noting the show’s passionate audience:
“While Johnny and I are disappointed Motorheads won’t be continuing at Prime Video, we couldn’t be more proud of what the team created… Their enthusiasm has energized us and we’re optimistic we’ll find a home that believes in and supports the show.”
Performance vs. Promotion
Despite positive reviews (78% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive 95% audience score), Motorheads never cracked Nielsen’s weekly Top 10. According to Luminate data, it peaked at No. 19 with 3.29M hours viewed in late May, though FlixPatrol tracked it as No. 1 globally on Prime Video early on.
Industry analysts point to the title’s misleading branding and low promotion levels compared to YA hits like The Summer I Turned Pretty and Maxton Hall. While shows adapted from best-selling books drew instant awareness, Motorheads was an original concept, leaving it to build viewership slowly.
Story, Cast & Unfinished Cliffhangers
Created by John A. Norris, Motorheads follows teen twins Zac (Michael Cimino) and Caitlyn (Melissa Collazo), who move with their mother (Nathalie Kelley) to live with their uncle (Ryan Phillippe), a former NASCAR driver turned auto body shop owner.
The diverse cast includes four Latino leads alongside Uriah Shelton, Drake Rodger, Johnna Dias-Watson, Nicolas Cantu, Josh Macqueen, and Mia Healey. The first season ended on two major cliffhangers:
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A street race crash involving Zac and Harris (Macqueen), leaving Harris’s fate uncertain.
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A mysterious call from Spider Lake, MI, possibly from the twins’ estranged father.
These unresolved plotlines make the cancellation especially painful for fans.
The Bigger Picture
Amazon MGM Studios continues to expand its YA lineup, with titles like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Culpa, Maxton Hall, and We Were Liars. Unlike those book-based hits, Motorheads had the challenge of being an original family-friendly drama competing in a crowded streaming landscape.
Still, its strong word-of-mouth and unique blend of teen romance, family drama, and street racing culture could make it an attractive pickup for another platform — a rare opportunity, as streamers seldom let internally produced originals seek new homes.
