Though not at all surprising, the news that Starz has decided to cancel Ash vs Evil Dead after three seasons was no less devastating to fans.

And the news doesn’t get any better. For anyone who was hoping that now that the show has been canceled it might find another home or perhaps even lead to that fourth Evil Dead movie—which was whispered about here and there over the years after Army of Darkness, before the 2013 reboot and eventually the TV series arrived—that’s not going to happen, sadly. Bruce Campbell, who played Ash Williams in the original film trilogy and on Ash vs Evil Dead, has announced that he is retiring from playing that role after nearly four decades. Campbell made the announcement in a farewell message to fans, which you can read below.

Here’s what Campbell had to say in his Facebook post:

Good people, Evil Dead fans everywhere, I bid you a heartfelt farewell playing Ash – the character I took acting lessons with for 39 years.

I am hereby retiring from that portrayal. It’s time. I followed Ash from his formative years thru his mid-life crisis and decline. What a thrill! What a privilege!

We had a great resurgence with the help of Starz (kudos not jeers, folks). They made it possible for 15 more hours of Evil Dead-ness in your life – the equivalent of 10 more features!

Is Ash dead? Never. Ash is as much a concept as a person. Where there is evil in this world, there must be one to counter – man or woman, it matters not.

Thanks for watching.

Love,

Bruce

Just a couple of months back, Campbell talked about the possibility of a season four of Ash vs Evil Dead or a new movie. At the time he said if the show did end up being canceled they could then talk about another movie. Perhaps they still will, but if they do it will now be without Ash or with the Ash role being re-cast like James Bond.

Personally, I don’t see the latter happening. There is only one Ash Williams, and that’s how it should remain no matter where the franchise goes from here.

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