Bull Cancellation: The CBS Drama's Tumultuous 6-Season Run Revisited

Is it the end of an era or error? In the wake of CBS' announcement that Bull's current sixth season would be its last, social media appears to be lining up behind the latter sentiment. The reaction is hardly a surprise given the numerous controversies that have plagued the Michael Weatherly-led series since it launched in 2016.

"I've decided it's time to pursue new creative challenges and bring his story to a close," Weatherly announced Tuesday on Twitter. "It has been an honor to work with this talented cast, crew, and writing/producing team who helped reinvent the legal drama. Stay tuned for a big series finish."

CBS followed Weatherly's post with a statement confirming the series' cancellation. "For six seasons, Bull has established itself as a ratings winner with its fresh take on the judicial process never before seen on television," the network said. "We extend our thanks to the talented cast... the incredible creative team... and our hard working crew, for bringing to life these innovative stories. We also thank our loyal viewers and look forward to providing them with a final run of compelling episodes filled with the humor, intelligence and twists that have made the drama a fan favorite."

Ahead of Bull's looming swan song, we're looking back at the tumultuous timeline of events that preceded Tuesday's end-date news.

Bull premieres on CBS to a strong 15.6 million viewers and a 2.2 demo rating, matching lead-in NCIS' numbers.

Just days before announcing Bull's Season 2 renewal, CBS confirms that Glenn Gordon Caron (Moonlighting, Medium) is being brought in to replace showrunner Mark Goffman.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer vet Eliza Dushku kicks off a three-episode, season-ending arc as J.P. Nunnelly, the savvy head of the best criminal defense firm in New York and a foil for Weatherly's titular character. She was expected to return for Season 2 as a full-fledged series regular

Bull returns with its second season, but Dushku's J.P. Nunnelly is conspicuously MIA.

Original cast member Annabelle Attanasio (Cable) announces she will be leaving ahead of Season 3 to pursue other professional endeavors.

The New York Times reveals in a bombshell story that Duskhu had quietly received a $9.5 million settlement from CBS following her unceremonious exit from Bull. Duskhu claimed she was fired after complaining about lewd comments Weatherly made toward her. Weatherly publicly apologizes for "the pain" he caused the actress, but denied having anything to do with her exit.

Dushku breaks her silence in a lengthy Boston Globe op-ed, calling her Bull experience "one of the most cruel, most aggressive humiliations I have ever experienced."

Despite the controversy, CBS renews Bull for Season 4. The same day, news breaks that Steven Spielberg — who serves as an EP on the procedural via Amblin Television — is cutting ties with the show.

CBS boss Kelly Kahl defends the network's decision to bring Bull back for a fourth season, contending, "Michael made a mistake. He owned that mistake... he was apologetic at the time; he was remorseful... [Michael made himself open to] whatever coaching or training is necessary to create a positive environment on set. He took everything very seriously and wanted to move forward." Two months later, Kahl doubles down, maintaining, "It's a popular show. Michael is loved by our audience. Even after these allegations came out, people continued to watch."

Following a relatively quiet, scandal-free fourth and fifth season, CBS announces that showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron and co-star Freddy Rodriguez would not be back for Season 6 following an investigation into workplace misconduct.

Midway through Season 6, CBS announces that Bull will end in May following Weatherly's decision to move on.