There’s nothing more disappointing than a show with potential that winds up being canceled too soon — but unfortunately, that’s a common scenario when it comes to modern television. There are many series that get hyped up as the next big thing, whether it’s because they’re based on existing IP or because of the funds put into their first seasons.
Tragically, established fan bases and upfront investments don’t always translate to success, and such series can backfire on networks and streamers. This leaves viewers surprised and disappointed, as these types of shows seem like they can’t fail. This makes it more shocking when they do, defying expectations of long runs and lasting legacies.
The Wheel Of Time
Canceled After 3 Seasons
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books are some of the most lauded in the fantasy genre, so Prime Video’s TV adaptation was poised for success. It seemed impossible that such a massively loved franchise could fail, especially on the heels of Game of Thrones’ performance. Sadly, The Wheel of Time wound up disappointing much of its main fan base, which led to issues from the beginning.
Although The Wheel of Time improved as it continued, the changes made to the books and elements of the production turned many viewers away from the show. It wound up being canceled after season 3, despite the expectation that it would be a huge hit. If nothing else, its fate shows that even the most popular titles can falter when making the jump from page to screen.
Shadow And Bone
Canceled After 2 Seasons
Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) and Mal (Archie Renaux) in Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone was another fantasy adaptation with all the ingredients for success: well-loved source material, an established fan base, and an impressive budget. Indeed, Netflix reportedly poured millions into each episode (via What’s on Netflix), and that’s reflected in the show’s production quality. It seemed inevitable it would take off, at least long enough to finish its run and prompt a Six of Crows spinoff.
Unfortunately, the series only made it to season 2 before it was canceled by Netflix, with budgetary concerns allegedly factoring into the decision (via CBR). It’s a shame, as there was clearly a demand for Shadow and Bone to continue; Netflix’s cancellation even prompted a fan campaign to renew it. It wasn’t enough, though, so Shadow and Bone will go down as a series that didn’t live up to expectations.
Mindhunter
Canceled After 2 Seasons
Holden Ford and Bill Tentch holding up a picture in a prison in MindhunterCredit: MovieStillsDB
Mindhunter is another Netflix show that was reportedly expensive to produce (via IndieWire), and whispers suggest that the series’ high budget ultimately contributed to its early end. Mindhunter’s cancellation stings significantly for that reason, as the crime drama had a unique premise, dedicated viewership, and impressive quality. By all rights, it should have been a hit.
After all, Mindhunter’s boasts a 97% critic score and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, confirming that it united general audiences and reviewers alike. The series’ high quality and popularity made it seem like it couldn’t fail, which made it more disappointing when Netflix decided to ax it after just two outings.
Westworld
Canceled After 4 Seasons
Westworld had a longer run than most series on this list, but HBO’s sci-fi series was eventually canceled — and it never quite became the hit we thought it would be. To be fair, Westworld season 1 was a success, delivering an intriguing premise that helped the series get renewed multiple times.
Unfortunately, the HBO show fell off continuously after that, until the network finally pulled the plug after season 4. Because of Westworld’s decline in quality over time, it wound up defying the high expectations people had after season 1. In 2016, it was unthinkable that the sci-fi series wouldn’t become a masterpiece, but its disappointing fate proved us wrong.
The Expanse
Canceled After 6 Seasons
Keon Alexander as Marco Inaros sitting in his ship in The Expanse
Unlike other shows on this list, The Expanse can’t be deemed a failure, as it ran for six seasons and gave its story a semi-satisfying conclusion. However, the series should have been a bigger hit than it was, especially given the popularity of the books — and the fact that it was a perfect Game of Thrones replacement.
And while The Expanse did build a dedicated fan base, the adaptation was canceled twice throughout its run: after season 3, when it moved from SyFy to Prime Video, and after season 6. Given how great the series was and how high expectations were, it’s surprising that it faced cancellation twice. It should’ve been a shoo-in for a full run.
The Winchesters
Canceled After 1 Season
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After Supernatural’s 15-season run, it was clear the CW series would have a lasting legacy — and its spinoff, The Winchesters, should have been able to capitalize on that. When it was announced that Jensen Ackles would be involved in a prequel to the hit fantasy series, it seemed obvious that it would have a fruitful run. This was proven incorrect.
The Winchesters was canceled after just one season, with its story proving less compelling than that of its predecessor. No one could have guessed that a Supernatural prequel would flop so quickly, but it certainly makes one think twice about wanting a season 16 or another spinoff.
Gossip Girl
Canceled After 2 Seasons
Julien, Monet, and Luna In The Gossip Girl Reboot
HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot had a ton of potential, and by all rights, it should have become the next big teen drama. Not only was the series attached to a successful 2000s show that remains popular today, but it added to the original in genuinely compelling ways. It made Gossip Girl more diverse and modernized it for younger generations.
Such things should have created a new generation of fans for the franchise, but the Gossip Girl reboot never blew up the way the original did. It ended up being canceled after just two seasons, which really was a shame. The acting, writing, and new approach had us convinced it would be much bigger.
How I Met Your Father
Canceled After 2 Seasons
Hilary Duff as Sophie looking shocked in How I Met Your Father
Despite its controversial ending, How I Met Your Mother is one of the biggest sitcoms of the modern era — and a spinoff with Hilary Duff at the helm should have seen similar success. Hulu’s How I Met Your Father may have felt a little gimmicky at first, but it proved a fun spin on the original story.
And it had the right ingredients to replicate its predecessor’s success, but it didn’t wind up landing as well with critics or general audiences. For some, it didn’t manage to recapture the dynamic of the original group and their shenanigans. Even still, it seemed like How I Met Your Father would get bigger once it found its footing. Sadly, that never panned out.
The Midnight Club
Canceled After 1 Season
Sauriyan Sapkota, Iman Benson, and William Chris Sumpter standing in the house looking scared in The Midnight Club
Mike Flanagan is responsible for Netflix’s best horror shows, so it’s difficult to envision anything from the director falling short. And in terms of storytelling and quality, The Midnight Club is on par with Flanagan’s other hits. However, the show didn’t accumulate the same following as titles like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass.
Perhaps it’s because The Midnight Club was aimed at a younger audience, but many felt it was lacking some of the qualities that made Flanagan’s other projects great. It was canceled after a single season, which was disappointing and surprising. Given Flanagan’s track record, it seemed sure to be a success, but time proved that assumption wrong.
Dexter: Original Sin
Canceled After 1 Season
Dexter smiling while at a lab in Original Sin
Image via Paramount+
Dexter ended on a divisive note, and there have been multiple attempts to revisit the title character’s future, with both Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection picking up after the original series finale. These have had questionable levels of success, but Dexter: Original Sin attempted to bring fans backwards, showing how the character became a killer.
Although recasting the role was a risky move, Dexter: Original Sin had a lot of potential. In many ways, it felt more aligned with the original show, and it set itself apart from the sequels. Patrick Gibson did an impressive job playing a younger version of Michael C. Hall’s character, too, which should have secured the series’ success.
However, despite originally being renewed for season 2, Dexter: Original Sin was canceled, sparking concerns about the franchise’s future. New iterations of Dexter should be hits, but none seem to be reaching the main show’s level of popularity.
Source: What’s on Netflix, IndieWire, Rotten Tomatoes