TV show cancellations hit hard. Especially when a series gets the axe after it’s been renewed. That’s a whole new level of heartbreak, akin to eating ice cream straight from the gallon.
Before the pandemic, it was rare but not unheard of for a show to lose its renewal. HBO‘s *Vinyl* and ABC‘s *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* are examples. Then COVID-19 turned the TV world upside down. Suddenly, shows that were safe weren’t so safe anymore.
The landscape kept shifting. New streaming platforms and corporate mergers threw more shows into uncertainty. AMC+’s *Moonhaven* fell victim. And then, the 2023 strikes by the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild threw another wrench into the works. Shows like Prime Video’s *The Peripheral* and *A League of Their Own* got caught in the crossfire.
So, which cancellation still stings for you? Scroll through our list below. See all the shows that had their renewals reversed. Then, let us know in the comments which ones you wish had made a comeback.
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*61ST STREET* (AMC) had its Season 2 ordered and then cancelled. No official reason was given by AMC, but cost-cutting seems to be the culprit. Interestingly, the entire second season was already filmed.
Update: *61st Street* found a new home! The CW will air Season 2 in 2024.
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*#BLACKAF* (Netflix) saw its second season ordered and then cancelled within a year. Netflix stayed mum on why, but there’s talk of a film franchise.
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*THE BRINK* (HBO) got its Season 2 order pulled. HBO cited scheduling and programming needs as the reason.
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*CHAPELWAITE* (MGM+) had its Season 2 cancelled with little explanation. The creator shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), thanking fans.
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*MOONHAVEN* (AMC+) was another casualty of AMC Networks’ cost-cutting measures.
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*ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA* (Showtime) lost its Season 2 due to pandemic-related production delays.
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*PANTHEON* (AMC+) had its second season axed as part of a tax write-down, despite Season 1’s completion.
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*STAR TREK: PRODIGY* (Paramount+) was cancelled ahead of a merger. The team is seeking a new home for Season 2.
Update: Netflix will stream Season 2 in 2024.
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*STUMPTOWN* (ABC) was a pandemic casualty, unable to launch in Fall 2020 due to production delays.
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*TOSH.0* (Comedy Central) had a four-season renewal reversed as the network shifted away from live-action series.
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*UNCOUPLED* (Netflix) saw its second chance at Showtime fall through, despite an initial rescue from Netflix’s cancellation.
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*VINYL* (HBO) lost its Season 2 after a change in showrunner and creative direction.
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*WHY WOMEN KILL* (Paramount+) was cancelled without a clear reason, despite two memorable seasons.
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*YEAR OF THE RABBIT* (IFC) was another victim of the pandemic, with hopes for a new home still lingering.
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This list captures just a snapshot of the tumultuous world of TV renewals and cancellations. The reasons vary, from budget cuts to strikes and the unpredictable impact of a global pandemic. Each cancellation leaves fans wondering what might have been, holding out hope for a revival or at least a proper conclusion.
