USA Network has opted to not move forward with the drama starring Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham

USA Network's Covert Affairs is not moving forward.

After five seasons, the NBCUniversal-owned cable network has opted to cancel the spy drama starring Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Sources tell THR that the renewal came down to a business decision, with the show's live-plus-same-day ratings ultimately being the deciding factor. In its heyday, Covert Affairs — produced by NBCUni's cable-focused Universal Cable Productions —regularly averaged 5 million total viewers in live-plus-same-day returns. Its recent fifth season hit a series low of 1.1 million viewers in November, leading up to an average of about 1.5 million and not enough to justify a second run despite the network's ownership stake in the show.

Season five of the drama, created by Matt Corman and Chris Ord, ended with a cliffhanger as Perabo's Annie was pondering a marriage proposal and new gig with a CIA task force and Gorham's Auggie was planning to move away from life in the CIA.

In an interview with TV Line after the season finale, Ord said producers "wouldn't be happy" if the series ended after season five. "We want the show to continue."

USA's decision to cancel Covert Affairs comes as the cabler has been focused on edgier fare of late including its recently ordered (and timely) hacker drama series Mr. Robot. The net's other scripted originals include Graceland, Playing House, Royal Pains, Suits, Satisfaction and Complications as well as comedies Benched and Playing House. The fate of freshman comedy Benched has not yet been determined as USA has been segueing out of the genre in recent months, though Playing House earned a second season thanks to a unique VOD deal.

On the pilot side, USA has dramas Stanistan, Colony, Evil Men and Queen of the South.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com

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