There's no pain more unique than when your favourite TV show is axed before its time.
I will rant to anyone who will listen about a forgotten show called Grosse Point, a sharp-as-hell teen drama from the year 2000 that absolutely hooked me from episode one, only for it to be cancelled after one measly season. Painnnn.
Okay, rant over!
But I get it. We get very attached to shows and then when they're ripped away — often without warning — it feels like a loss. This year, Stranger Things, Outlander and You all announced that their upcoming seasons will be the show's last, but at least they've come to a natural end.
Listen to The Spill's hosts discuss the most divisive TV show finales. Post continues after podcast.
Most shows don't get the chance to end on their own terms.
In 2024, there have been far too many shows prematurely cancelled and sadly, they're probably some of your faves.
My Lady Jane (Prime Video)
Fans were left furious over Prime Video's decision to cancel My Lady Jane after just one season, despite its critical acclaim and 93 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The historical fantasy series, based on the reimagined story of Lady Jane Grey, garnered a passionate following for its witty humour, a charming cast led by newcomer Emily Bader, and a unique blend of history and comedy. Fans argued that the show wasn't given enough time to find its audience and suffered from lax marketing.
In response to the show's axing, fans have launched two petitions demanding the show's revival, with one garnering over 50,000 signatures.
The Acolyte (Disney Plus)
After a first season that largely resonated with critics but divided the Star Wars fandom, Disney cancelled its Star Wars series The Acolyte. Set in the High Republic era in a century prior to the events of Episode I — The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte starred Amandla Stenberg in a dual role as twins and Squid Game's Lee Jung-jae as a Jedi Master investigating a series of murders.
The series initially drew a wide viewership, but failed to sustain its audience.
Fans are particularly upset because of unresolved storylines and cliffhangers left by the abrupt ending. Many attribute the cancellation to low viewership and budget concerns, while others blame alleged racist, homophobic and sexist campaigns against the show's diverse cast which has reignited debate over representation in the Star Wars franchise.
Showrunner Leslye Headland faced backlash for describing the series as the "gayest Star Wars ever". Lead actress Stenberg previously defended the series against critics, calling them "silly racists".
After the cancellation was announced, the actress shared her thoughts on Instagram.
"It's not a huge shock for me [that it was cancelled]. Of course, I live in the bubble of my own reality but for those who aren't aware there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was even announced… when it was still just a concept and no one had even seen it. That's when we started experiencing a rampage of hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred, and hateful language towards us," she wrote.
"Even though I anticipated it happening, it's not something you can fully understand what it feels like until it's happening to you."
Our Flags Mean Death (Binge)
Our Flag Means Death, a beloved pirate comedy series starring Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, was cancelled after two seasons. The show followed the misadventures of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet and his crew, including the infamous Blackbeard.
Fans adored the series for its unique blend of humour, heart and LGBTQ+ representation. The show garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase who appreciated its quirky characters and storytelling.
The cancellation came as a shock to many, especially since creator David Jenkins had envisioned a three-season arc. Despite fan campaigns to save the show, including billboards and social media efforts, Our Flag Means Death failed to find a new home.
Somebody Somewhere (Binge)
It has been announced that Somebody Somewhere, the critically acclaimed HBO comedy-drama starring Bridget Everett, will end with its third season, premiering in October. The series, which debuted in January 2022, follows Sam, a woman grappling with loss and identity in her Kansas hometown.
Viewers and critics alike praised the show for its tender exploration of human relationships and authentic portrayal of small-town life. The series maintained a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for both seasons.
Julia (Binge)
Julia, the beloved Max series starring Sarah Lancashire as Julia Child, was cancelled after just two seasons. The show chronicled Child's journey in creating her groundbreaking TV cooking show The French Chef in the 1960. Viewers were captivated by Lancashire's delightful portrayal of Child, the stellar ensemble cast, the show's heartfelt storytelling and historical accuracy.
The show's cancellation has left fans devastated, especially given its high ratings of 93 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes with many believing that Max has prematurely ended the series.
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
The Umbrella Academy, based on Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's comic series, captivated audiences with its quirky superhero family dynamics and time-bending adventures. The series gained a loyal following over its four-season run on Netflix, breaking viewership records and receiving critical acclaim.
However, the decision to end the show after season four left many fans disappointed. While creator Steve Blackman had always envisioned a four-season arc, viewers were hoping for more stories from the Hargreeves siblings. The shortened final season of just six episodes further intensified fans' frustration, as they felt it might not provide enough time to wrap up all the storylines.
The Brothers Sun (Netflix)
Netflix cancelled The Brothers Sun after just one season, a critically acclaimed action comedy-drama starring Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien and Sam Song Li.
The show followed Charles Sun, a Taipei gangster who travels to Los Angeles to protect his mother and younger brother after his father is shot. Despite its strong performance on Netflix's Top 10 list and positive reviews, the series failed to secure a large enough audience to warrant renewal.
Fans loved the show for its unique blend of action and comedy, along with its representation of Asian characters. The show's star Michelle Yeoh expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, saying she was "finding it so hard to understand why" the show was cancelled.
Minx (Stan)
Fans have been left frustrated that Minx, a critically acclaimed comedy series set in 1970s Los Angeles, has been cancelled for the second time. The show follows Joyce, a young feminist who teams up with a publisher to create the first erotic magazine for women. Starring Ophelia Lovibond and New Girl's Jake Johnson, Minx garnered praise for its witty writing, strong performances and powerful feminist message.
The cancellation is particularly frustrating for fans, as the series had already been rescued once by Starz after being dropped by Max. Despite positive reviews, Minx struggled to attract a large audience, ultimately leading to its demise.
Life & Beth (Disney Plus)
Amy Schumer's comedy-drama Life & Beth was cancelled by Hulu after two seasons. The show followed Beth, a wine salesperson who reassesses her life after her mother's unexpected death.
Fans appreciated the series for its nuanced portrayal of relationships, grief and neurodiversity, with particular praise for Michael Cera's performance Beth's love interest, John. The show's subtle humour and relatable writing drew comparisons to Netflix's critically acclaimed series Master of None.
Some viewers were disappointed by the cancellation, as many found the second season to be particularly strong.
La Brea (9Now)
Despite considerable buzz, La Brea is coming to an end with its third season in 2024. The sci-fi drama about a massive sinkhole in Los Angeles that transports people to a mysterious primeval land had initially captivated audiences with its unique premise.
Fans flocked to the series for its intriguing storylines and visual effects, but the final season will be shortened to just six episodes, disappointing viewers who hoped for a more extended conclusion.
The shortened season is reportedly due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which influenced the NBC network's decision to release actors from their contracts.
The Flight Attendant (Binge)
Kaley Cuoco's The Flight Attendant was officially cancelled by Max after two critically acclaimed seasons. The dark comedy thriller, which debuted in November 2020, followed Cassie Bowden, an alcoholic flight attendant who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery.
Fans loved the show for Cuoco's stellar performance, which earned her Emmy nominations, and the series also received praise for its thoughtful portrayal of alcoholism and sobriety.
Viewers are disappointed by the cancellation, as they were invested in Cassie's character, but it's not entirely surprising as Cuoco has since moved on to another show, Based on a True Story, which has just been commissioned for another season.
Feature image: Binge/Netflix/Prime Video.
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