Sutton Foster's BUNHEADS Draws 1.7 Million Viewers for Series Premiere

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC Family's BUNHEADS starring Broadway's Sutton Foster drew just 1.7 million viewers for its June 11 debut.

Read the original report here.

The new show, which premiered following the season five premiere of Secret Life of the American Teenager, faced tough competition from Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals on NBC, which aired the same night. Bunhead's numbers also come in far behind last year's premiere of Switched at Birth.

The next episode of Bunheads, titled "For Fanny", airs Monday, June 18th, on ABC Family.

The show tells the story of Michelle Simms (Tony Award–winning actor Sutton Foster), who had a promising career as a classically–trained professional dancer but was drawn to the lights of Las Vegas. Now, with a dead–end job as a 30–something showgirl, she’s found the excitement of Sin City has lost its appeal, and her persistent suitor, Hubbell Flowers (Alan Ruck, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”), is gaining it. With promises of a cushy life in his coastal town of Paradise, CA., Hubbell convinces Michelle to marry him and move away. Once in Paradise, Michelle discovers that Hubbell forgot to mention that he lives with his mother, the strong–headed, imperious Fanny Flowers (Kelly Bishop, “Gilmore Girls”), who is not pleased that Hubbell has run off and married a stranger.

A former dancer herself, Fanny runs the local dance studio, which Michelle comes upon and ends up bonding with some of Fanny’s dance students: sweet “Boo” (Kaitlyn Jenkins), who would give anything to be a “bunhead” but struggles against her body type; rebellious Sasha (Julia Goldani Telles), who possesses the classic ballet dancer’s body and talent but –– distracted by family issues at home –– doesn’t seem to have her heart in dancing; shapely Ginny (Bailey Buntain), who is not yet comfortable in her own skin; and fun–loving Melanie (Emma Dumont), who is ready for whatever life throws at her. Michelle’s budding relationship with these girls helps her adapt to small town living and her uneasy role as a new daughter–in–law.

“Bunheads” is executive produced by Amy Sherman–Palladino. The series stars Sutton Foster, Kaitlyn Jenkins, Julia Goldani Telles, Bailey Buntain and Emma Dumont with guest star Kelly Bishop.

Photo credit: Ron Tom/Randy Holmes/ABC Family

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