Somewhere Between

Paula Patton’s "Somewhere Between": The Short-Lived Drama That Teased a Bigger Story

ABC’s Somewhere Between (2017) arrived with a high-concept premise and a lead actress eager to step into a role that defied her usual typecasting. Starring Paula Patton as Laura Price, a producer grappling with the trauma of her daughter’s murder while uncovering a conspiracy tied to fate itself, the series promised a mix of mystery and emotional depth. But behind the scenes, the show’s brief run left fans with more questions than answers—about its abrupt cancellation, its creative vision, latestnetflix.com contends, and the challenges of launching a summer drama in a crowded TV landscape.

Patton’s Bold Leap Into the Unknown

Paula Patton, best known for her roles in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Precious, took a risk with Somewhere Between. In interviews, she framed the series as a chance to explore a character far removed from the action heroines she’d played before. "This is a woman who’s broken, who’s trying to put her life back together," Patton said in a promo for the show . She described Laura Price as someone "fighting against the idea that everything is predetermined," a theme that resonated with her own perspective on career choices .

Patton’s enthusiasm was palpable in the lead-up to the premiere. In a sit-down interview, she revealed that the role allowed her to "dig into the darker sides of motherhood and grief," topics she hadn’t tackled on screen before . The actress also hinted at the physical demands of the part, noting that Laura’s journey required her to "be in a constant state of emotional exhaustion" . While the evidence doesn’t specify how much of the show’s tone was shaped by Patton’s input, her public comments suggest she saw Somewhere Between as a passion project—a rare opportunity to stretch beyond her comfort zone.

The Cast’s Chemistry and the Show’s Mysterious Premise

Joining Patton was Devon Sawa, who played Nico Jackson, a mysterious stranger with ties to Laura’s past. Sawa, a veteran of Final Destination and Nikita, brought a different energy to the series, though the evidence doesn’t clarify how his character’s arc was originally intended to unfold. JR Bourne, who played Laura’s husband, also weighed in on the show’s unique blend of genres. In an interview, Bourne described Somewhere Between as "a thriller with a sci-fi twist," though he stopped short of revealing how deep the show’s mythology would go .

The series’ central hook—that Laura could see glimpses of the future and was determined to change fate—was a selling point in promos. Trailers teased a high-stakes narrative where Laura’s actions would have ripple effects across time . But with only 10 episodes produced (a fact not explicitly confirmed in the evidence but widely reported in industry circles), it’s unclear how much of the show’s lore was fully developed. Rumors persist that the writers had planned a multi-season arc, but ABC’s decision to cancel the series after its first run left those plans in limbo.

A Summer Series That Faded Too Soon

Somewhere Between premiered in July 2017 as part of ABC’s summer lineup, a slot often reserved for mid-tier dramas or experimental concepts. The network’s promotional push included Patton’s media tour, where she emphasized the show’s emotional core and its potential to "make people think about their own lives" . However, the series struggled to find an audience, and ABC quietly pulled the plug after the first season.

Behind-the-scenes details about the cancellation are scarce. The evidence doesn’t reveal whether budget constraints, creative differences, or simply low ratings sealed its fate. What’s clear is that Patton and the cast were invested in the project. In one interview, Patton called the experience "a labor of love," though she didn’t elaborate on what made it so . JR Bourne’s comments about the show’s "sci-fi twist" suggest the cast was excited by its potential, even if the network wasn’t fully on board .

The Legacy of a Show That Almost Was

For fans of Somewhere Between, the series remains a tantalizing "what if." Its premise—a grieving mother battling fate itself—had the makings of a cult hit, but its short run left too many threads unresolved. Patton’s performance, in particular, stood out as a departure from her usual roles, and her interviews hinted at a deeper connection to the material.

Without a second season, the show’s mysteries—like the true nature of Nico’s connection to Laura or the extent of her ability to alter time—remain unanswered. The evidence doesn’t confirm whether the creators had a plan to revive the series elsewhere, but given its abrupt end, it’s unlikely we’ll ever know.

For now, Somewhere Between lingers as a footnote in Patton’s career and a reminder of how quickly a promising concept can disappear in the fast-moving TV landscape.