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The creator of The Recruit reacted to the show’s cancellation at Netflix with a length statement. Alexi Hawley helmed the show, which starred Noah Centineo as a young lawyer working for the CIA who finds himself in a world of trouble. The second season premiered on Netflix earlier this year. However, cast member Colton Dunn announced that the show would not be continuing for a third season. On Thursday (March 6), Alexi took to social media to pen a tribute to the show, its cast and crew. Keep reading to find out more… Alexi shared a “love letter” to the show on Bluesky where he even toyed with the idea of turning the show into a movie. Read his full statement below: “It started with a conversation. A show about a CIA lawyer that wasn’t a law show. A fresh way into a spy series inspired by Adam Ciralsky, a former Agency lawyer turned force of nature. And the phrase that crystalized it all for me: ‘The CIA isn’t sexy, it’s the post office with secrets.’ We sold the pilot to USA Network. Where it died. But then the stars aligned in a way they never do. Doug Liman. Noah Centineo. And a new life at Netflix. The second script was easier to write than the first – which also didn’t happen – but it’s a really good sign that the show works. Practically, having Noah on board got us a greenlight. Creatively, the man is a straight-up movie star who elevates everything he touches. Emotionally, he was the best partner a guy could hope for. The rest of the cast was equally powerhouse: Vondi, Kristian, Colton, Laura, Fivel, Aarti, Maddie, Kaylah (and Teo, Young-ah, Do-Hyun and Sang-hee in S2). Season One was rocky. There was a pandemic. Sets weren’t ready on time. Turns out Montreal is super cold in January. At one point we were shooting scenes from six different episodes at the same time to try and catch up. On paper, it should’ve been a disaster. But when we got to the editing room, there was magic in the footage. Joy and truth and bravery in the performance – brought to life by a crew and a cast that overcame every challenge, not always with a smile on their face, but with a belief that the show was worth the pain we were going through. The cliffhanger was a ballsy move. Season Two wasn’t a sure thing. Completion rate was an early concern, ultimately overcome. Then, a joyous zoom and a greenlight. Back in the saddle again. A move to Vancouver. Eight episodes became six. We wrote, we scout. And then the strike. A marathon that became a sprint into production. An experience in Vancouver that was as calm as S1 was chaotic. And then we went to Korea. A bunch of the cast, and a few dozen crew members flew to Seoul for a month to prep and shoot. We knew how special an experience we were having in the moment. How privileged we were to get to work with such phenomenal local cast and crew. Along the way, a family was created. In ways that are unique to Hollywood. The intensity of a shared, finite, creative experience. Equal parts vulnerable artistry and exhausting, rigorous work. Along the way, we shot inside the CIA, the State Department, and a nuclear submarine. We laughed on multiple continents and supported each other when crying was more appropriate. Is two seasons and a movie a thing? Cause we’d all be there in a heartbeat. If not, man, we left it all on the field. For those who haven’t yet watched, dive in. I swear to God you’ll enjoy the ride. In an age of shows that feel like homework, The Recruit is a blast that has stakes and humor and hardcore action which will keep you leaning forward. Finally, to the cast and crew, thank you for giving the best of yourselves to this special show. I’m a better person for having spent time with you.”
