A&E cancels Patrick Swayze drama 'The Beast'

[June 16, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- "The Beast," a police drama that starred the ailing Patrick Swayze, will not return for a second season, A&E announced Monday. The series, which premiered in January, starred Swayze as Charles Barker, a rogue undercover FBI agent teamed up with rookie Ellis Dove (Travis Fimmel). The series was filmed on location in Chicago.

Reviews for the series were mixed and its audience averaged 1.3 million viewers through the 13 episodes, which concluded their run in April.

But Swayze was unstinting in a rough-and-tumble performance that he maintained while battling pancreatic cancer. His illness had no discernible effect on his gritty portrayal.

A&E President Bob DeBitetto called the performance "an inspiration to us all."

DeBitetto said the series "has truly been a labor of love for everyone," but added that "after careful deliberation we have reluctantly decided not to attempt a second season."

Known for such films as "Ghost" and "Dirty Dancing," the 56-year-old Swayze went public with his diagnosis in 2008.

A memoir by him and Lisa Niemi, his wife of more 30 years, is scheduled for publication in the fall. The book is expected to offer an intimate account of his childhood, career and marriage, as well as his fight against the cancer.

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[Associated Press; By FRAZIER MOORE]

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