After a four-year run, Discovery’s reality series “Edge of Alaska” became renowned as one of the most captivating shows about Alaskan life, focusing particularly on the modernization of a small town. Despite its high viewership and dedicated fan base, the network abruptly ended the show in 2017, amidst tensions among the main star Neil Darish, McCarthy residents, and the showrunners.
Produced by Discovery Channel, “Edge of Alaska” is among numerous reality/documentary TV shows set in the northernmost and largest U.S. state. The series chronicles the daily lives of McCarthy residents, a small isolated town that gained notoriety during the 19th-century gold rush. While McCarthy didn’t yield gold, it housed significant copper reserves, becoming known as the “Sin City of Alaska” due to illicit services such as prostitution and gambling.
One of the show’s prominent figures is businessman Neil Darish, who aimed to modernize McCarthy by purchasing numerous properties, including the local hotel, intending to attract tourists and businesses. However, his vision clashed with the desires of most McCarthy residents accustomed to their quiet lifestyle.
The cancellation of “Edge of Alaska” sparked speculation, with some attributing it to the natural conclusion of Neil selling his properties. Others cited dissatisfaction among non-featured residents with the show’s portrayal of McCarthy, accusing Neil and Discovery Channel of misleading the community about the nature of the show.
Despite the show’s end, life in McCarthy continued for its residents. Neil Darish remains in McCarthy, co-running Mo Johnson’s Hotel, while other cast members resumed their normal lives or faced personal challenges. Meanwhile, similar reality TV shows set in Alaska continue to thrive, influenced by the state’s popularity for filming and the public’s interest in off-grid lifestyles.
