While the year has seen a few shows like Matlock receive an early order for a second season, 2024 will also mark when some very promising shows were cut short. It’s especially disappointing when, by all accounts, both critics and audiences positively embrace a show that is canceled when it is still in the process of growing into the hit it could be.
Although it’s disappointing to the fans and creators, one can only hope that these temporary setbacks will lead to the start of new and better projects for the talented creators and performers. Until then, we look back at some of the most disappointing cancellations of the year.
10
'Outer Range' (2022-2024)
Created by Brian Watkins
Image via Prime Video
The twisty science fiction drama Outer Range follows Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin), a Wyoming rancher who is roped into a land dispute with his neighbors. As the threat of losing his land escalates, Royal discovers a large bottomless hole on his land that coincides with the arrival of a mysterious woman named Autumn (Imogen Poots), who asks to camp on his land. Throughout the series, Royal will learn more about the hole and its powers, creating more questions than answers.
Outer Range’s atmospheric visuals and quality acting kept a loyal fanbase enthralled while they were hooked by the show’s mysterious plot. Unfortunately, people tend to avoid high-concept shows for fear the show will be canceled before the premise is fulfilled, which creates a cycle of it continuing to happen. Although the show was criticized for a slower pace at times, it remained a compelling watch until it was canceled after two seasons.
Release Date
April 15, 2022
Creator
Seasons
2
9
'The Big Door Prize' (2023-2024)
Created by David West Read
Image via Apple TV+
In The Big Door Prize, a mysterious machine appears in a small town with the promise to tell each person what their “Life Potential” is. Gifted with the knowledge of a more exciting future, people begin to make drastic changes to their lives. Based on the book by M.O. Walsh and starring Chris O’Dowd as school teacher Dusty, The Big Door Prize was on Apple TV+ for two seasons before being canceled this year.
It’s always nice to have O’Dowd in a leading role, and he brings his same relaxed charm to The Big Door Prize as a man in doubt about his contentment with the life he has. The series often felt otherworldly with a fable-like quality to it, as if it was a greatly extended episode of Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories. The cancellation of The Big Door Prize especially stings, considering the second season left on a major cliffhanger.
Two permanently teenaged detectives hope to solve crimes for eternity in Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives. Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) are ghosts with low regard for the afterlife but a passion for staying on Earth and solving supernatural crimes. The series was praised for its world-building and unique tone, which mixed dark humor with light horror elements. The series debuted with a strong performance but was canceled within months of its premiere.
Based on Neil Gaiman's comic book, Dead Boy Detectives shares the same world as Gaiman’s other well-known work, The Sandman, which will soon start its second season on Netflix. There are no current plans for Edwin or Charles to appear in The Sandman, but nothing is ruled out for the future. It’s surprising that Dead Boy Detectives didn’t get more episodes with a format that so easily lent itself to endless case-of-the-week possibilities.
The world of Broadway musicals is condensed into one magical town in the high-concept Apple TV+ comedy, Schmigadoon!Melissa Gimble (Cecily Strong) and Josh Skinner (Keegan-Michael Key) are having trouble in their relationship when a backpacking trip leads to the couple being trapped inside a town called Schmigadoon, where the fiction of musicals has come to life. The romantic comedy follows the couple as they repair their romance while the technicolor world of 50s-themed musicals serenades them.
Although the second season would add a clever twist by changing Schmigadoon to Schmicago to pay tribute to the edgier musicals of the 60s and 70s, the series would not be picked up for a third season. For Broadway fans, the series did a wonderful job of incorporating the tropes of musicals into a romance adventure with lovingly made visuals. Schmigadoon! may not have appealed to a wider audience, but to the ones with stacks of playbills, its cancelation will be heartbreaking news.
Release Date
2021-00-00
Creator
Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
6
'Minx' (2022-2023)
Created by Ellen Rapoport
Image via Starz
In Minx, Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond) has strong ambitions to make a magazine, and her wishes get granted in the most unexpected way possible when she teams with sleazy erotic publisher Doug (Jake Johnson) to make the first adult magazine for women. Set in the 70s, Minx makes full use of its time period with a set design that brings back memories of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights.
Minx was an enjoyable watch for its narrative, which had viewers rooting for the underdog team to succeed in the less mainstream publishing world, and for the strength of its two lead performers, Lovibond and Johnson. The series originally debuted on Max for one season before a late cancellation sent Minx to Starz, which cancelled the show after its second season. Much like the magazine the characters were making, Minx fought hard for the brief time it had.
Minx
Release Date
March 17, 2022
Main Genre
Comedy
Seasons
2
Story By
Ellen Rapoport
Writers
Ellen Rapoport
Showrunner
Ellen Rapoport
5
'NCIS: Hawaii' (2021-2024)
Created by Matt Bosack, Jan Nash & Christopher Silber
Image via CBS
The fourth spin-off of the NCIS franchise,NCIS: Hawaii, followed a team of Naval Criminal Investigative Services agents based in a Pearl Harbor office. NCIS: Hawaii was noted for having the franchise's first female lead, Vanessa Lachey, who was cast as Special Agent Jane Tennant. Citing lower ratings and high production costs, CBS decided to halt production on further episodes of the spin-off.
NCIS: Hawaii’sabrupt cancelation shocked fans, who would now not get resolution to the lingering cliffhangers from the last season. Passionate fans who enjoyed the procedural created petitions to spare the show from the axe, citing how important the CBS show was to them thanks to inclusive storylines and spotlights on issues such as PTSD. The efforts of devoted viewers weren’t enough, and NCIS: Hawaii would go out with three seasons of solved cases.
Continuing the murderous exploits of killer doll Chucky (Brad Dourif), Chucky the series didn’t shy away from the gory past of its flagship character when making the transition to TV. If anything, the series more often rewarded long-time fans with references to previous movies and bringing back Jennifer Tilly to play Chucky’s plastic bride, Tiffany. Chucky would take the killer doll from the streets of suburbia to the White House, with Devon Sawa playing different parts in all three seasons.
While the movie franchise started with straight-forward horror movie roots, the series became a meta comedy where breaking the fourth wall was not off the table, if for nothing more than a wink to the audience. Fans of the genre-bending series will be left with questions from cliffhangers they won’t get answers to, but it was an enjoyable run for a show never afraid to take risks. The murder spree may be over for now, but if there’s one thing audiences have learned over the years, it’s that Chucky is incredibly hard to kill.
Release Date
October 12, 2021
Cast
Zackary Arthur
, Brad Dourif
, Björgvin Arnarson
, Alyvia Alyn Lind
, Jennifer Tilly
, Devon Sawa
, Lara Jean Chorostecki
, Fiona Dourif
, Michael Therriault
, Carina Battrick
, Alex Vincent
, Teo Briones
, Barbara Alyn Woods
, Jackson Kelly
, K.C. Collins
, Callum Vinson
, Franco Lo Presti
, Annie Briggs
, Rosemary Dunsmore
, Gil Bellows
, Lexa Doig
, Rachelle Casseus
, Nick Fisher
, Andrea Carter
, Lachlan Watson
, Bella Higginbotham
Seasons
3
Story By
Don Mancini
Writers
Don Mancini
Franchise(s)
Child's Play
Showrunner
Don Mancini
3
'Our Flag Means Death' (2022-2023)
Created by David Jenkins
Image via Max
The Pirate-themed comedy Our Flag Means Death follows the adventures of Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a wealthy gentleman who abandons his family to pursue the life of a pirate captain. While his crew considers killing him when the time is right, the men bond in a meaningful way that makes the show as heartfelt as it can be entertaining. Unfortunately, low viewership would dock the show after two seasons on HBO Max.
While Our Flag Means Death might give off‘The Office on a Pirate Ship’ vibes, the series was much more emotionally affecting than it would appear. Our Flag Means Death was praised for prominent LGBTQ+ storylines, featuring a tender, loving, same-sex romance that became the heart of the show. If the comedy series absolutely had to be cancelled, at least the creative team was able to complete the story with a satisfying conclusion for Stede and Blackbeard’s (Taika Waititi) storyline.
A modern retelling of Greek myths,Kaos is a stylish, fun exercise that debuted on Netflix in late August 2024. Starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, Kaos updated the classic stories of Gods behaving badly with a modern aesthetic that seemed to exist in a time of its own. Kaos was shaping up to be an epic tale about three humans who would unknowingly have the power to dethrone Zeus before he killed all of humanity in a rage.
Goldblum vamping as the King of Olympus is worth the price of admission, but the Greek fables are cleverly updated to be enjoyable for viewers not familiar with the source material. The visual style is similar in spirit to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet, with bright colors that jump off the screen, so fans of the director would enjoy the eight-episode run. Although Kaos debuted with a fair amount of buzz, low viewership would see the first season be the last.
Based on Cynthia Hand's novel of the same name, My Lady Jane blends historical with magical to create a uniquely fresh television show primed to be on critics' top ten lists for the year. The series opens with Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) getting the unfortunate news she will be marrying Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel). From there, the series will take Lady Jane from on the run to sitting on the throne as she ascends to power, which comes with lethal drawbacks. The series had an energy that brought to mind the modern soundtrack used in A Knight’s Tale back in 2001, with My Lady Jane making extensive use of modern music in episodes.
The cancellation of My Lady Jane is going to be the worst call of the year and could be a top contender for the worst cancellation of the decade. Amazon cancelled My Lady Jane after one season, citing low viewership as the reason. Fans attempted to reverse the decision with a petition, with even famed Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martinexpressing that the show deserved more time than what it ultimately would have. While Amazon may be done with the TV series, you can still purchase the book series by hand on their site.
Release Date
June 27, 2024
Cast
Emily Bader
, Edward Bluemel
, Jordan Peters
, Anna Chancellor
, Dominic Cooper
, Jim Broadbent
, Will Keen
, Rob Brydon
, Kate O'Flynn
, Máiréad Tyers
, Robyn Betteridge
Seasons
1
Creator(s)
Gemma Burgess
Writers
Jodi Meadows
, Brodi Ashton
, Cynthia Hand
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