How many times have you found yourself just getting into a brand new show only for the network to cancel it? The world of television is a cutthroat business and for shows to make it they have got to be good. If shows take a dive in the ratings, there is no guarantee they will be coming back for more next season.
Even if the story is really great, once those ratings dip, it’s a hard road to recovery. Not all shows go down without a fight, though, and these are the popular TV shows that have been canceled by their networks for good.
The Flash
The CW has announced that the ninth season of The Flash, set to debut in 2023, will be the show’s final season. The season will consist of 13 episodes, making it the shortest season of the show’s run. Speculation that the ninth season would be the show’s last began last January when it was reported that star Grant Gustin had signed a one-year deal that would cap his involvement in the season at 15 episodes.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amazon Prime Video has announced that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the popular Emmy-winning comedy series, will be ending after its next season. Production is currently underway for the show’s final season, which will consist of approximately 16 more episodes featuring the main character Midge (played by Rachel Brosnahan) and the rest of the cast. The announcement was made the day before the release of the show’s fourth season.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale, the critically acclaimed television series adapted from Margaret Atwood’s classic novel and starring Elisabeth Moss, will be returning for its fifth season on September 14. The season, which will be the penultimate one for the show, will have a two-part premiere. The Handmaid’s Tale has received 15 Emmy Awards, including the award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2017, and was created by Bruce Miller. Miller is also developing a follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale called The Testaments, which will be available on Hulu and will pick up the story years after the events of the original series.
Riverdale
Riverdale, the popular teen mystery drama based on the characters of the Archie Comics, will be coming to an end after seven seasons. The show, which follows a group of teenagers as they investigate the secrets of their hometown of Riverdale, has gained a large following and become a cultural phenomenon since its debut in 2017. However, all storylines will be wrapped up and the show will conclude after its final season.
Star Trek: Picard
It has been announced that the Star Trek: Picard TV series will not be returning for a fourth season. The show, which stars Sir Patrick Stewart and follows the character Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation, was renewed for a third season by Paramount+ in September. Production on the third season recently wrapped, and it will be the final season of the show.
Your Honor
Showtime’s Your Honor, a legal drama starring Bryan Cranston and based on the Israeli TV series Kvodo, will not be returning for a second season. The show followed Cranston’s character, Michael Desiato, a judge in New Orleans whose son becomes involved in a hit-and-run and sets off a chain of events involving lies, violence, and difficult decisions. The first season of Your Honor consisted of 10 episodes and was highly praised by audiences and critics alike.
The Hardy Boys
The third season of The Hardy Boys will be the last for the show. The final season, which is still being shot in southern Ontario, Canada, will consist of eight hour-long episodes and will feature the addition of Bailee Madison from Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin to the cast. Pam Westman, the president of production company Nelvana, which produced the show, praised the cast and crew for their work on the series and credited them with bringing the beloved Hardy Boys adventures to life and earning awards and critical acclaim.
New Amsterdam
NBC has announced that New Amsterdam will end after its fifth season. The medical drama, which stars Ryan Eggold and follows the story of Dr. Max Goodwin as he battles hospital bureaucracy, was previously renewed for a fifth season but it will now be the show’s last. The final season, which will consist of 13 episodes, is set to air in the fall and will bring the show’s total number of episodes to just under 90.
A Million Little Things
ABC has announced that the fifth season of A Million Little Things will be the show’s last. The news was shared by the show’s creator, DJ Nash, in a statement in which he expressed that while he knew the show’s end may be sad for many viewers, he always intended to follow the story of these friends for five seasons and end it at the right time.
Snowfall
FX has announced that its drama series, Snowfall, will come to an end in 2023 with its sixth and final season. The show’s fifth season, which is currently the most watched drama on FX, is set to conclude on April 20. Snowfall was co-created by John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron, and follows the story of a young drug dealer in South Los Angeles and the rise of crack cocaine in the 1980s.
Servant
This horror television series executively produced by M. Night Shyamalan is coming to an end after four seasons, and though it was considered popular and different, it didn’t have as much longevity and a following on Apple TV+ as they’d hoped. It won’t conclude officially until 2023.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Starring Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been a staple of network comedy for eight very successful seasons on Fox and NBC. The show’s won numerous awards and has been praised for its character inclusion and thoughtful storylines. The show will surely be missed, as the show will not be renewed in 2022.
Better Things
Better Things is a dramedy that was created by and stars Pamela Adlon as a divorced actress who must raise her daughters on her own. While it was praised for its whimsical nature and good story, the fifth and final season will conclude the series.
His Dark Materials
Based on the famous book trilogy of the same name, His Dark Materials was a popular show that aired on both BBC One and HBO, as it was primarily a UK produced series. The third and final season falls right in line with the books’ storyline, giving avid fans the story without expanding on their own.
Insecure
Developed by Issa Rae and Larrywilmore, and being partially based on Rae’s original web series Awkward Black Girl, Insecure followed the story of the modern black woman. The fifth season is its final for HBO, as the critically praised show goes off into the sunset with many accolades.
Keeping Up With The Kardashians
The longest running reality series in the U.S. has come to an end, with Keeping Up With The Kardashians ending for good. The famous E! TV series drew criticism and praise, but lasted 20 seasons and set all sorts of viewership records for the genre. It also won multiple awards.
Last Man Standing
This ABC sitcom starring Tim Allen and created by Jake Burditt moved to FOX for its final three seasons, but after nine strong, it’s coming to a close. Following a dad who’s an executive at a sporting goods store and living with three daughters, the show had widespread appeal.
Ginny & Georgia
Created by Sarah Lampert, Ginny & Georgia is a comedy-drama TV series that debuted on Netflix on February 24, 2021. The show follows the story of a 15-year-old girl named Ginny Miller and her 30-year-old mother, Georgia, as they move to the fictional town of Wellsbury in New England for a fresh start after Georgia’s husband dies. The series gained popularity quickly and was renewed for a second season, which premiered on January 5, 2023.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama TV series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO, based on the 2013 video game developed by Naughty Dog. Set in 2023, twenty years after a global pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, the series depicts a world in which the infected transform into zombie-like creatures, resulting in the collapse of society. The first episode premiered on January 15, 2023, with subsequent episodes released weekly. The Last of Us has received critical acclaim, with praise directed at the performances, writing, production design, and score. It will likely see a second season.
Wednesday
Wednesday is a supernatural comedy horror streaming TV series based on the character Wednesday Addams by Charles Addams. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the show stars Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams. It premiered on November 16, 2022, and was released on Netflix on November 23, receiving mostly positive reviews from critics who praised Ortega’s performance. It became the second-most watched English-language Netflix series within three weeks of release. The show received two Golden Globe nominations and was renewed for a second season in January 2023.
MacGyver
CBS’ MacGyver took the traditional characteristics of the classic inventive savior and made him modern, and for that the show spanned a five year run. But now that’s come to an end, and the show concluded after the fifth season, with Peter Lenkov focusing on his other reboots instead.
Manifest
Manifest was the supernatural show that had everyone talking, but after 3 seasons and a move to Netflix, the show is finally being axed for good after its 4th season. Despite drawing a number of new viewers once moving to Netflix, the production faced limited storyline options.
Shameless
Showtime’s beloved Shameless has reached its final days, as the network announced it would not be renewing the series after its 11th season. The show was the longest running original script show on the network, despite it being an adaption of the British series it’s based on.
Jupiter’s Legacy
Based on the comic, Jupiter’s Legacy became a Netflix original superhero series that only premiered in 2021, but the existence is short-lived as it was not renewed for a second. Although it starred Josh Duhamel, the show did not fulfill the streaming service’s expectations.
Good Girls
This story of desperate young mothers trying to defy their individual predicaments has come to a close. NBC is wrapping up after a modest but successful 4-season run. It’s more that the story ran out on this one rather than it receiving bad reviews.
Better Call Saul
The origin story of Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman’s in his days before meeting Walter White were the main plot behind Better Call Saul, and although some claimed it was even better than its predecessor, it’s on its way out after the 6th season ends in 2022.
All Rise
This courtroom comedy that followed the lives of all those who are part of the criminal justice and legal systems has been cut short by NBC after just two seasons. With mixed rating, it just didn’t seem to become a sustainable option for the network, but rumors are it could be picked up elsewhere…
Black-ish
This modern sitcom that followed in the footsteps of shows like Modern Family had a nice run, but its time on air is coming to an end. While most of the show’s actors have become stars in their own right, the show found that it had reached a good point of conclusion, and decided not to drag it out any longer. It still was critically acclaimed, though.
Lovecraft Country
Lovecraft Country was a highly anticipated horror drama put on by HBO, which followed the story first told in a novel of a man and his uncle who travel back to the Jim Crow 1950s to search for his father. Tragically, due to the health complications and passing of starring actor Michael K. Williams, the show was forced to end.
Superstore
This NBC sitcom that features the days in the lives of employees at a big box store called Cloud 9 is finally ending, despite its 6-year run and strong cast which included America Ferrera and Ben Feldman. The show likely used all its plot ideas, and NBC pulled the plug. It did finish with good ratings, however.
Ozark
While many of us were forced to stay inside watching Netflix for hours at a time, a whole new set of eyes were drawn to the Jason Bateman-led ‘Ozark.’ The crime drama became a huge hit during the lockdown we all found ourselves in after its third season came to Netflix in March 2020. This increased interest in ‘Ozark’ has led to questions about the show’s future. With a huge surge in popularity, fans will want to see ‘Ozark’ and its gripping storyline return. Netflix recently has announced that there will be a season 4 of ‘Ozark’. Season 4 will be the final season for the money launderer financial advisor Marty Byrde.
NCIS New Orleans
This branch of the ever-popular NCIS universe is being wrapped up, but have no fear, because as NCIS: New Orleans ends, another spin-off is already in the works. Viewers often are picky with their time, and when NCIS sees viewership drop, they know it’s time to start anew. New Orleans’ time is unfortunately up.
Queen of the South
Queen of the South is a high intensity Drama starring Alice Braga, which follows a young woman who surpasses gang life in Mexico for something far more elaborate and dangerous in the states. However, the show is coming to a conclusion, as USA decided to pull the plug.
This Is Us
One of the most captivating, emotional, and touching dramas to hit television this century was This Is Us, which drew in millions of viewers live each week to soak it all in. But the glorious run is over, and sometimes it’s good to stop a good thing before it gets ruined. Its final season is airing in 2022.
American Housewife
American Housewife is the sitcom starring Katy Mixon, that aired on ABC until it was most recently cancelled after its fifth season. Though the tough, matriarchal comedy was a hit at first, the show seemed to fall flat after plot snags and actor replacements, leading directors to call it quits.
Harlots
Hulu has made the decision to cancel its drama Harlots after just three seasons. The story followed a brothel owner and business owner trying to overcome adversity to raise her daughters in 18th century London, and was a hit with critics and audiences alike, receiving generally favorable reviews.
Run
HBO’s Run only made it one season before being cancelled. The high intensity rom-com starred Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson, who reunited after 17 years to turn over a new leaf and start a new life together. Though praised for their acting, it didn’t receive the viewership it needed.
Reprisal
Reprisal is another show Hulu’s written off after just one season. Abigail Spencer starred in this vengeance based thriller which features a femme fatale who seeks revenge after being left for dead. Rotten Tomatoes effectively called it “all pulp and no juice,” confirming it’s dull reception.
The Purge
After two seasons, the television rendition of The Purge has come to an end, with the USA Network ending it in May of 2020. Critical response was rough, with the general consensus being that the show was all premise without the delivery of even decent acting and story-telling.
Treadstone
USA also cancelled it’s show Treadstone after just a single season, despite the plotline being a prequel to the popular Bourne movie series. Despite being action-packed as you’d expect, the series had a complex narrative and lacked a graspable plot, leading to harsh critical reception.
Ray Donovan
Showtime’s Ray Donovan is finally coming to an end after seven successful seasons. They cancelled the show after the plot was basically extinguished, but the show generally had favorable reviews until the end. The lawyer and crime drama goes down as one of the network’s most successful originals.
Kids Say The Darndest Things
Tiffany Haddish’s reboot of the classic show once hosted by the now infamous Bill Cosby was more or less a flop. ABC gave it a chance, but with limited success and varying takes on the viewer’s interest in the subject, it turns out to be something people see videos of on their phones every day.
Perfect Harmony
NBC’s attempt at a musical comedy that starred the likes of Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp was put to rest after just it’s first season in 2020. With a premise of a small church choir with quirky members and their small town problems, the show’s limited theme failed to resonate with viewers.
Emergence
Another show falling victim to just one season of TV time is Emergence, a mystery thriller hybrid that follows a police chief’s decision to adopt an orphan with a background too crazy to believe. Allison Tolman starred, and basically carried the show that just never gained the popularity it needed to survive.
Almost Family
Redeveloped by FOX and adapted from an Australian series, Almost Family lasted just a single season, mainly due to the egregious accusations against actor Timothy Hutton. With a lewd plot and some pretty big acting names, a show that could have succeeded was forced to fold, but it was likely the right decision.
Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector
The NBC crime drama was adapted from a 1997 novel by Jeffery Deaver which follows a cop and disabled forensic expert to bring down the notorious criminal known as the Bone Collector. After one season however, the show failed to pick up any steam and was cancelled shortly after.
Deputy
Frankly, the reason FOX’s Deputy was canned after just one season was because it was boring. Critics found that there was virtually nothing new about the procedural drama, and the acting and storyline was basic and uninteresting at best. It was eliminated from the lineup as quickly as it was brought in.
God Friended Me
Brandon Michael Hall starred in this CBS comedy which lasted two seasons before being cancelled during the pandemic. The show had many conflicting reviews, largely based on the contrast of whimsical faith versus relatable drama for young adults. Ultimately, the show fell flat for network audiences.
Bless This Mess
May 2020 also saw the cancellation of ABC’s Bless This Mess, which ran for just two seasons. The sitcom featured Dax Shepherd among others, and followed a couple who moved to Nebraska to restore their family’s farm. Despite its homey feel and decent reception, the show did not renew.
Tommy
Edie Falco starred in this police drama on CBS, casted as the first woman police chief in LA. But despite the strong female lead, another procedural drama means a lot of competition on network TV, and other than Falco’s respected acting, the show had little to hold on to.
Schooled
Even though ABC’s The Goldbergs was a notable hit sitcom, the spinoff Schooled unfortunately didn’t fare as well. After just two seasons, the show was pulled after not diversifying enough from the original show, largely relying on acting alone. Sadly, that wasn’t enough to keep it around.
Single Parents
Single Parents was a show exactly about what you think it was – single parents navigating through the ever-challenging twists and turns of life. It was cancelled after two seasons, after the common plot of rehabilitating a single dad into the dating world seems to be worn out. Despite its mature writing, it failed to attract viewers.
Broke
May 2020 saw a ton of cancellations, and the sitcom Broke on CBS was another caught up in the mass extermination. The show, which featured a trust fund, estranged woman who was cut off and reunited with her sister has to reckon with her new reality. However, the show wasn’t hardly successful.
Man With A Plan
Matt LeBlanc starred in this CBS sitcom that made it four seasons before being shut down this past May. A staple comedy for the network over the last few years, it’s a wonder how it made it that long, as critics ripped the bland writing and unimaginative plot almost every season, saying actors were underutilized.
Outmatched
FOX attempted to match the success of Big Bang Theory with Outmatched, which featured a couple raising 3 kids who are certified geniuses. However, the narrative tanked, as the show was let go after just one disappointing season. You could say this series was, well, outmatched.
Carol’s Second Act
In a twist of irony, sitcom ‘Carol’s Second Act’ won’t be getting a second act of its own. Despite having sitcom veteran Patricia Heaton as the lead, ‘Carol’s Second Act’ was canceled by CBS after just a single season. The network may have hoped the medical sitcom would have performed better in terms of viewer numbers, with the same time slot last year performing much better. Even though it had viewing figures among the multi-millions, ‘Carol’s Second Act’ didn’t do enough to impress CBS bosses to renew it for a second season.
Swamp Thing
Not long after ‘Swamp Thing’ aired, the DC Universe announced that it would be canceled. Fans had barely made it through the series premiere before being told it was coming to an end, meaning there wasn’t much point in getting stuck into the series. In general, the DC Universe TV series had been doing well, but ‘Swamp Thing’ bucked that trend after getting canned just days into its initial run. Critic reviews were far from scathing, but rumors of budget issues and creative differences on the creative team led to the early cancelation of this series.
I Love You, America
There is no denying that Sarah Silverman’s ‘I Love You, America’ was a hit with those who watched it. The timeless comedic personality took on current events from all across the United States on her Hulu show. With plenty of notable guests and a ton of fun sketches, it was a recipe for success. Unfortunately, Hulu decided to call it quits due to the viewership figures. Hulu chief, Greg Erwich, said that the network was “proud of what Sarah Silverman did,” but the lack of audience meant it couldn’t stick around.
Grand Hotel
It seems that the Eva Longoria-produced ‘Grand Hotel’ won’t be welcoming any new guests for a second season. The series was dropped by ABC after its ratings didn’t manage to stand out from the competition. Sure it was never that badly-rated either, but it wasn’t captivating audiences. The show focused on the lives and adventures of hotel owners and staff based in a Miami Beach hotel. One season was all ‘Grand Hotel’ got, and it has shut its doors before really hitting its stride.
Fuller House
Well, it was fun while it lasted. ‘Fuller House’ brought the Tanner family back into our lives after rebooting the ‘Full House’ sitcom from years ago. The ‘Fuller House’ cast consisted of some stars of the original series and a host of new actors playing new characters. The reboot had a good run on Netflix, and it is wrapping things up after the second half of the fifth season aired in June. One of the most controversial stars of ‘Fuller House,’ Lori Laughlin did not make an appearance in the show’s final half-season.
Lethal Weapon
Police detective series ‘Lethal Weapon’ will not be coming back for a fourth round after Fox decided to cut ties with the franchise. The series is based on the movies of the same name, which helped make names for Mel Gibson and Danny Glover back in the 1980s. ‘Lethal Weapon’ the series followed our favorite cops, Murtaugh and Riggs, for two seasons before controversy hit the headlines. Main star Clayne Crawford was fired in 2018 for his alleged issues with on-set behavior, with Sean William Scott filling his shoes. Ratings continued to fall, however, and Fox swung its ax.
The Passage
When Fox debuted its thriller series ‘The Passage,’ things seemed to kick off with a bang. The show had good ratings initially, but it ended its maiden season with low viewership numbers. As the ratings continued to decline, it forced Fox to rethink its strategy about the series. The more the ratings dropped, the more likely it was that ‘The Passage’ was losing the light at the end of the tunnel. In the end, Fox decided to cancel the series in May, meaning it won’t be back for a second season.
Ballers
“Ballers” the hit HBO show starring Dwayne Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, a retired NFL player that decides to become a financial manager to help his younger sports stars was canceled after five seasons. Johnson shared an emotional Instagram video “My heart is full of gratitude to all of you for rocking with us every season. You made us HBO’s highest rated comedy for years and most importantly, you helped create and sustain a platform for other actors to have the opportunity to work hard, grow and become household names.”
Last Call with Carson Daly
After close to two decades, Carson Daly has decided to walk away from his late-night spot on our televisions. ‘Last Call with Carson Daly’ will not be coming back to our screens as the much-loved host has decided to mix things up. Daly explained on his Twitter that he wanted to focus more on ‘The Today Show’ and ‘The Voice.’ The long-time host also suggested he could be interested in bringing some fun new content to The Golf Channel while also spending more time with his family.
Trial and Error
Legal drama ‘Trial and Error’ seems to have come to the end of the road after it was announced the second series would be its last. The show starred John Lithgow, Sherri Shepherd, and Nicholas D’Agosto, but even that stellar cast couldn’t save the series from going down. The story follows a seemingly honest lawyer who leaves the bustling world of New York behind to relocate to the slower-paced South Carolina to defend a professor. It may find more success following an appeal as Warner Bros. TV has reportedly been shopping a third series around to other networks.
Speechless
The third season of the popular sitcom ‘Speechless’ had only just ended when ABC announced it would be canceling the show. A month after season three ended, fans of the much-praised comedy series were told there wouldn’t be a fourth. The show starred Minnie Driver and John Ross Bowie and was even getting some award show recognition. Despite its success, ‘Speechless’ fans are going to have to say goodbye to one of the most refreshing shows on network television.
The First
Sci-fi series ‘The First’ showed a lot of promise, and it’s all-star cast, including Sean Penn, helped to bring in some initial interest. The series focused on a crew of astronauts as they attempted to become the first humans on the planet Mars. The concept is a popular one, and Hulu had pinned a lot of hopes on the series becoming a breakout hit. Unfortunately for the network ‘The First’ just didn’t get the ratings its big budget required and after one season the show was on a one-way trip off our screens.
Counterpart
For now, it seems as though the spy drama ‘Counterpart’ has failed its secret mission. Starz has decided to cancel the TV series after two seasons after the showrunner, Justin Marks, announced ‘Counterpart’ would be leaving the network. Marks, also the show’s creator, did seem optimistic about the show finding a new home on our televisions, so the story may not be over just yet. The showrunner hinted that the ‘Counterpart’ production company, MRC, might be able to “find a way to keep the dream alive.”
Sunnyside
The writing was on the wall for NBC’s comedy ‘Sunnyside’ pretty much from the beginning. The Kal Penn comedy had an underwhelming premiere, and things only got worse from that moment. Of the freshman broadcast during that season, ‘Sunnyside’ had performed as one of the worst in the ratings. After the show debuted in September, NBC decided to cancel it in October. There was no recovery for this comedy as the remainder of its shows were transferred to the NBC app and website.
Sorry For Your Loss
Facebook Watch seems prepared to accept that the scripted shows it came to the table with aren’t cutting it, with ‘Sorry For Your Loss’ being a casualty of a strategy change. Much of the streaming platform’s content is being pared back, and this drama starring Elizabeth Olsen won’t be seeing a third season. The show focuses on Olsen as a young widow, and while it received positive reviews from critics, there hasn’t been enough buzz to keep the show on the road.
The Deuce
The 1970s-set ‘The Deuce’ had a pretty modest following and always had solid reviews. Despite a general good feeling toward the show, HBO didn’t feel the need to extend the series beyond a third season. The series had some A-list names among the cast members, with Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco being the standout stars. ‘The Deuce’ concluded its story in October 2019 with the writers wrapping up the storyline to dot as many I’s and cross as many T’s as possible.
Proven Innocent
Fox didn’t seem to have too much room for the legal drama ‘Proven Innocent,’ and it was canceled not long after the first season finale aired. Although Kelsey Grammar was a huge name among the cast, his name alone wasn’t enough to convince fans to tune in. The show was received fairly badly by critics, and that translated to a low level of viewers. Just one day after the ‘Proven Innocent’ finale, Fox made an announcement that it would be canceled.
Lodge 49
After a strong first season, the comedy-drama ‘Lodge 49’ earned a second season, which was also received well. Despite the show seeming to do well with the critics, with viewership figures at less than one million per episode, AMC decided to cancel ‘Lodge 49.’ It means there will be no third season of the show despite its fresh approach to making a TV show. AMC claimed it was proud to have had ‘Lodge 49’ on its network, but it won’t be continuing the adventure of its unforgettable characters.
Pearson
The ‘Suits’ spinoff, ‘Pearson’ didn’t have enough of a following to keep the legal drama franchise on the USA Network. ‘Suits’ had gathered a huge following over the years, and the legal drama’s spinoff, ‘Pearson,’ was expected to do well with Gina Torres at the helm. Unfortunately, it only ran for 10 episodes before being dropped by USA Network. ‘Pearson’ struggled to gather even half of the audience ‘Suits’ had brought in, which made it one of the lowest-rated shows in USA Network’s catalog.
The Fix
Former prosecutor turned TV producer Marcia Clark brought legal drama ‘The Fix’ to our screens in 2019. The show followed the life of an attorney who was given the second chance of prosecuting a celebrity eight years after failing to send him down the first time. Robin Tunney was the face of the Los Angeles-based series, but ABC decided to cancel it shortly before its season finale aired. ‘The Fix’ received an average rating by the critics, and that meant it never hit the heights expected by ABC.
Legion
Sometimes a TV series can be well-received, yet commercially it doesn’t perform well. FX’s ‘X-Men’ spinoff enjoyed three seasons but struggled to pull in many viewers. Even though it had solid ratings from the critics, FX called time on ‘Legion.’ The story followed David Haller, a strong mutant portrayed by Dan Stevens. There were many guests throughout the three seasons of ‘Legion,’ but no matter how much FX advertised the series, people didn’t tune in. Having a strong cast and creative storytelling method wasn’t enough to keep ‘Legion’ on the air beyond three seasons.
The InBetween
NBC decided to cancel the supernatural drama ‘The InBetween’ after just one season. The show starred Harriet Dyer and Justin Cornwell, but the writing was on the wall for the series from the get-go. The news of its cancellation wasn’t unexpected for those working behind the scenes, as many of them had already begun to work on new projects. Ratings are thought to be the main reason for the show getting canned after one season, with NBC no longer willing to pump money into ‘The InBetween.’
Nightflyers
Perhaps before ‘Game of Thrones’ unraveled into a huge disappointment, it would have been smart for SyFy to gamble on another George R. R. Martin’s projects. ‘Nightflyers’ is another tale from Martin, but the investment in the big-budget sci-fi series didn’t pan out. The show was full of ambition, but it became a white elephant due to its low ratings. There had been early plans on making ‘Nightflyers’ a multi-season story, but after the series was unable to make waves in the crowded market, it got canceled.
Channel Zero
Horror anthology series ‘Channel Zero’ will no longer be shown on SyFy after the network canceled the show. The showrunner, Nick Antosca, gave fans the bad news via social media after he shared artwork from across the show’s entire four seasons. Antosca announced that ‘Channel Zero’ would no longer be at SyFy, although it seems as though the door may be open in the future to the show making a comeback. While Antosca was disappointed the show was coming to an end, the showrunner said he can’t complain too much about doing four stories that he loved.
Splitting Up Together
It seems there is no chance for a reconciliation between ‘Splitting Up Together’ and ABC. This sitcom put together a star-studded cast, including its two main stars Jenna Fischer and Oliver Hudson, but it failed to make audiences laugh much. Without much of a following, ABC had to pull the plug on one of its lowest-rated comedy series. The story focused on a couple that decided to stay living together despite finalizing their divorce. ‘Splitting Up Together’ had two seasons to make the premise stick, but it didn’t get the ratings required of a hit ABC show.
Murphy Brown
It’s not uncommon for a rebooted show to do well, but generally, things can get rough the second time around for a beloved series. Candice Bergen stepped back into the shoes of ‘Murphy Brown’ after several years away, and things started off pretty well. During the original run of the series, Bergen had won five Emmys but after just 13 episodes of the rebooted series, CBS pulled the plug. Things had started well enough, but the decline in the ratings meant curtains for the returning sitcom.
Dear White People
Dear White People, written and directed by Justin Simien who first released a feature film of the same name in 2014, is having its plug pulled after 4 seasons. The collegiate comedy-drama aimed to be poignant in a time of increased focus on race relations, but couldn’t sway viewers any longer.
The Irregulars
Even though a famous British playwright in Tom Bidwell created this show based on characters created by the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), the Baker St. Irregulars pairing up with Dr. Watson just wasn’t enough to keep even fans of the lore entertained. The eight episodes was all she wrote for this series.
Hoops
This adult animated comedy created by Ben Hoffman didn’t stand a chance, and ultimately was canceled without even getting second season consideration. The story, which followed a disheveled coach and team who were equally hoping to turn their lives around, fell flat amongst its older targeted audience.
Atypical
This unique show, which followed an 18-year old autistic young man, and even began featuring autistic actors and writers to help bring more authenticity, is being halted after 4 successful seasons. Creator Robia Rashid received mostly praise for her ability to bring this disorder into focus, but also faced some controversy as to how the condition was being portrayed.
Lost In Space
If you didn’t know, Lost In Space was actually a reimagining of the original series, which premiered all the way back in 1965! And that series was also based on The Swiss Family Robinson book from 1812! However, 2021 wasn’t kind to the story, as it reached the chopping block after 3 seasons. It followed space explorers who drifted off course.
Peaky Blinders
This historical fiction drama has been a hit for nearly 8 years now, but the ending of the Shelby crime family story is upon us. Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the gangsters as they navigate the Birmingham, England area post-World War I. It also featured huge stars that will be missed, such as Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Joe Cole, and Paul Anderson.
Kim’s Convenience
This wholesome sitcom that features a Korean-Canadian family that runs a convenience store is finally coming to an end. The Canadian based series is wrapping up after 5 seasons, and was ultimately a casualty of the pandemic. With the two creators leaving, the show never even ended up getting the sixth season that was originally promised. International TV can be tough.
On My Block
Netflix’s teen comedy-drama On My Block is coming to the end of its tenure after this, its fourth and final season. The series featured a diverse cast and tackled growing up in your teenage years in the not-so-friendly suburbs of Los Angeles. This test of friendship had younger viewers pretty invested, but unfortunately they’ll have to see how the story line comes to a close.
The Duchess
This British comedy-drama series created by Katherine Ryan didn’t last more than its 6-episode pilot season, and unfortunately was not not invited to come back by the people at Netflix. Though Ryan starred in it herself, she just couldn’t pull off another royal family-style show to gain enough interest.
Ozark
While many of us were forced to stay inside watching Netflix, a whole new set of eyes were drawn to the Jason Bateman-led ‘Ozark.’ The crime drama became a huge hit during the lockdown, and this increased interest led to questions about the show’s future, but sadly season 4 will be the final season.
Anne With An E
Netflix picked up the Canadian drama series ‘Anne with an E,’ after its early success on CBC. The series was an adaptation of the children’s book ‘Anne of Green Gables,’ and season one was received well by the critics, but after a disappointing second, Netflix pulled the plug.
Dead To Me
The dark comedy Dead To Me will get a third season, but it will be its last. Featuring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, the show tells the story of two women who become friends during therapy. Filming for the new season is delayed due to Covid, but at least there’s closure.
Soundtrack
Since ‘Glee’ ended, there’s been a gap in the musical drama market, and expectations for ‘Soundtrack’ were high. The lip-syncing drama made its debut on Netflix in December 2019 with a 10-episode season, and even though it had ‘Step Up’ star Jenna Dewan among its cast, ‘Soundtrack’ received mixed reviews, and Netflix decided to cancel it.
Mortel
Supernatural drama ‘Mortel’ won’t be coming back for a second season after Netflix announced that it was canceled. The French-speaking series followed three teenagers trying to solve a homicide. Critics thought the series struggled to find the balance between audience and genre.
Messiah
The Netflix series ‘Messiah’ looked to question what would happen if someone showed up claiming to be the return of Jesus. The story was a mystery thriller where the main character’s case is closely followed by the CIA. However, it was canceled after failing to garner interest.
The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambit starring Anya Taylor-Joy was one of the most stellar recent series, but unfortunately Netflix elected to restrict the show to just a single season. For all the chess and coming of age story fans out there, this was a huge bummer.
The Kominsky Method
Unfortunately, the third season will be the last for The Kominsky Method, which starred Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas. The show deals with an aging acting coach who wants a last hoorah, but that’s what the shows getting as well as Netflix has decided to pull the plug.
October Faction
‘October Faction’ is the supernatural monster hunter series, but despite having the comic series as reference, ‘October Faction’ earned lackluster ratings from both the critics and viewers. Netflix decided to pull the plug on it sooner rather than later.
The Punisher
This series was a big hit, and it was hugely disappointing for fans to see the series cut short after just two seasons. It’s thought the reason why ‘The Punisher’ was canceled was due to Disney’s ownership of the Marvel franchise, and with all things Marvel heading to Disney Plus, ‘The Punisher’ may find another home somewhere other than Netflix.
Osmosis
Another of Netflix’s French series to face the axe was the sci-fi show ‘Osmosis.’ The story is set in a near-future Paris, where singletons agree to use their brain data to find their perfect match. While the series was considered a hit by some critics, Netflix decided to scratch the show.
Travelers
‘Travelers’ followed the lives of the last surviving humans hundreds of years in the future who could project their thoughts to the people living in the 21st century. The show originally aired on Showcase in Canada, and ran for three seasons but came to an abrupt end as interest waned.
Marianne
French horror series ‘Marianne’ follows young novelist Emma, who eventually realizes the characters she creates join her in the real world. The series launched on Netflix in September 2019, series director Samuel Bodin confirmed via social media that it had been canceled.
Spinning Out
Ice skating drama ‘Spinning Out’ came to Netflix, but it won’t be sticking around. The first season received mixed reviews, but many fans found themselves compelled by the storyline. Following Netflix’s cancellation, fans started a petition to try and save the show.
AJ and the Queen
While RuPaul might have dominated the drag queen world, the character he plays is a down-on-her-luck drag queen. And while most things that RuPaul touches turn to gold, this series is the rare exception, and Netflix has decided one season was enough.
One Day At A Time
Fans of the sitcom ‘One Day at a Time’ were disappointed to learn the series was canceled after three seasons. The show was well-received by fans and critics alike, but it’s understood that viewership numbers are the reason for the show’s cancellation. However, it did move to Pop TV.
V Wars
Science fiction horror series ‘V Wars’ only stuck around for a single season following average reviews from critics and viewers. The show stars Ian Somerhalder as a scientist trying to fix an outbreak that turns people into vampires. The series premiered in December 2019, but was canceled by March 2020.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The final 8 episodes in Netflix’s revitalized Archie-based series will premiere later this year, as the show says goodbye after just two seasons. These episodes are the second batch to be released. The story stars Kiernan Shipka, who plays Sabrina, a half mortal, half witch.
Tuca and Bertie (Moving)
Adult animated comedy ‘Tuca and Bertie’ gained a passionate following after the first season was released on Netflix in 2019. The show received strong reviews from critics but low viewing figures. Accusations that Netflix failed to market it well led to it being picked up on a different platform.
The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell
‘The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell’ won’t be coming back for a second season, as was confirmed by Christine McConnell herself. The crafty show brought a spooky element to the kitchen, but Netflix decided to cancel despite earning plenty of praise for its gothic theme.
Friends From College
Netflix might have thought it had a winning formula when it brought the star-studded comedy ‘Friends From College’ to its service. The story follows a group of friends in their 40s who all met in college and even though it got through two seasons, it won’t be returning to Netflix for a third.
No Good Nick
Netflix brought the comedy-drama series ‘No Good Nick’ to our screens in 2019, but it didn’t survive 2020. The series was about a young girl who infiltrates a family to get revenge, but while the premise was interesting, critics felt as though the show failed Netflix’s audiences.
Next In Fashion
Netflix’s reality counterpart to Project Runway, Next In Fashion will sadly not be making any further seasons after its first. Announced in June, the fashion show hosted by Tan France and Alexa Chung, which had designers compete using international trends, was not renewed.
Dark
German sci-fi thriller ‘Dark’ has become a big hit for Netflix since it debuted on the streaming service in 2017. There have been two successful seasons so far, and the showrunner, Baran bo Odar, posted that a third season was in the works via his Instagram. However it will be its last.
Designated Survivor
It looks as though ‘Designated Survivor’ isn’t going to survive being canceled for a second time. The former ABC series was saved after its first cancellation when Netflix picked it up, but now Netflix has swung the axe. Keifer Sutherland and the cast won’t be returning for a fourth season.
Grace and Frankie
Netflix has confirmed the much-loved sitcom ‘Grace and Frankie’ will return for one last laugh with a seventh and final season. This buddy comedy has been entertaining fans since 2015, making it the longest-running Netflix comedy series ever. The final season will consist of 16 episodes.
Easy
Fans of the comedy-drama ‘Easy’ will be disappointed to learn that the show won’t be returning this year for a fourth season. Netflix’s adult-themed series earned plenty of fans through its three seasons, and the script kept people guessing since the content was character specific.
13 Reasons Why
The hugely popular, but controversial 13 Reasons Why finally concluded its story with its fourth and final season. The teen drama gripped audiences from the moment season one was introduced to Netflix, since it tackled a wide range of modern social issues for young people.
She’s Gotta Have It
Spike Lee’s comedy series ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ was delivered a blow by Netflix after the streaming service canceled the show less than two months after season two premiered. Despite the critics being in favor of the series, Netflix wasn’t, and it announced its intentions to cancel.
Chambers
Despite having big names like Uma Thurman on board, the supernatural horror series ‘Chambers’ fell flat upon its release in 2019. The series received average ratings from critics, but Netflix felt as though its viewership figures simply didn’t justify making another season.
The Crown (Ended)
Fans of biopic ‘The Crown’ will be gearing up to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II when the final season wraps in the near future. Olivia Colman was the most recent actress to step into Queen Elizabeth II’s shoes, and Imelda Staunton is due to take over as the Queen in her later life.
Trinkets
Teen drama ‘Trinkets’ is based on the much-loved novel of the same name by Kirsten Smith. Netflix brought us the story of three teenage girls who become unlikely friends after meeting at a Shoplifter’s Anonymous group. Netflix confirmed that the second season will also be the last of the teen drama.
The Rain
Danish post-apocalyptic drama ‘The Rain’ has been granted a third season by Netflix. The story focuses on the aftermath of a deadly rain that infects the people of Scandinavia with a virus, almost wiping out the entire population. Clearly the topic of disease is a hit amongst viewers.
Daybreak
After a single season, Netflix’s teen post-apocalyptic drama ‘Daybreak’ has been given the chop. The vibrant show was based on a comic book of the same name, and there were high hopes for the series that starred Colin Ford. ‘Daybreak’ was generally received well by the critics, but fans didn’t seem to be as in love with the series, and so there won’t be a second.
The OA
Mystery drama ‘The OA’ is one of those TV shows that Netflix was happy to give the creative reins to someone and let them do their thing. That someone was Brit Marling, who not only helped create the show, she also starred in it. After two seasons of the mystery drama hitting the streaming service, Netflix has canceled ‘The OA’ so there won’t be a third season.
The Ranch
Ashton Kutcher knows his way around a sitcom, and he led ‘The Ranch’ alongside his ‘That ‘70s Show’ co-star Danny Masterson. The series enjoyed four 20-episode seasons on Netflix before the streaming service wrapped things up. The final 10 episodes of the series launched in January as we said goodbye to the show that was launched in 2016.
Fuller House
The family-friendly sitcom was well-received upon its return to our screens by fans of the original series, even if the critics didn’t fully support it. There were plenty of plots to explore now that the Fullers had all grown up, and Netflix managed to bring five seasons of ‘Fuller House’ to our screens. ‘Fuller House’ aired its final season last June.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Although it remained a hit with the critics throughout its four seasons, ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ is being canceled. The show brought four fun seasons to Netflix, and there were hopes that ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ would continue after an interactive special. Unfortunately, that was the last we will hear from Kimmy Schmidt as the story is now officially over.
Santa Clarita Diet
Zombies are big business in television, and the comedy series ‘Santa Clarita Diet’ brought a fresh approach to the genre. Despite building a strong following throughout its three seasons, Netflix decided a fourth season wasn’t on the cards for ‘Santa Clarita Diet.’ Sadly Netflix wasn’t interested, and less than a month after the third season premiered, the streaming service made the cancelation official.
GLOW (Finishing)
Those TV fans who missed the big hair and bright colors of the 1980s got it in truckloads when the wrestling drama ‘GLOW’ hit screens in 2017. The series, starring Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron, and Alison Brie, was critically acclaimed and has run for three seasons. There will be a conclusion to the stories of our favorite characters as Netflix confirmed ‘GLOW’ would be returning for a conclusive fourth season.
Lucifer
Fantasy drama ‘Lucifer’ was initially a big hit for Fox when it debuted back in 2016. The series continued on Fox for three seasons before Netflix bought the rights. The fourth season was generally well-received, like those preceding it, but Netflix has announced that it will be ending the story with the fifth season. ‘Lucifer’s final season will be split into two parts, with a release date yet to be determined.
Orange Is The New Black
One of Netflix’s first hits from its original contest team was the comedy-drama ‘Orange Is the New Black.’ The series launched in 2013 and became an instant hit with audiences, gaining a ton of loyal fans to the franchise. After its seventh season aired in 2019, Netflix announced that it would be the end of the series. Even though things were wrapping up after seven years, the final season received plenty of great reviews from critics and fans alike.
Bojack Horseman
Adult animated series BoJack Horseman won’t be returning to Netflix with a new season afte airing its sixth and final season last January. The comedy stars Will Arnett as BoJack, a washed-up Hollywood has-been who is trying, desperately, to get his career back on track. One thing the show was praised for was dealing with mental health and social problems in a realistic way without sugar-coating the message.
Jessica Jones
Another Netflix series that suffered due to Disney’s acquisition of Marvel was ‘Jessica Jones.’ The series took a darker approach to telling a comic book story, and it was one that the fans loved. Fans of the female hero may have thought Jones was going to be around for a long time, but now they will be crossing their fingers Disney continues the story.