While the year has seen a few shows likeMatlockreceive an early orderfor a second season, 2024 will also mark whensome 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 thestart 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
The twisty science fiction dramaOuter Rangefollows 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 landthat 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 wascanceled after two seasons.
Outer Range
9’The Big Door Prize' (2023-2024)
Created by David West Read
InThe Big Door Prize, a mysterious machine appearsin 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 byM.O. Walshand starringChris O’Dowdas school teacher Dusty,The Big Door Prizewas 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 toThe Big Door Prizeas 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 ofSteven Spielberg’sAmazing Stories.The cancellation ofThe Big Door Prizeespecially stings, considering the second season left on a major cliffhanger.
The Big Door Prize
Created by Steve Yockey
Two permanently teenaged detectives hope to solve crimes for eternity in Netflix’sDead Boy Detectives.Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) are ghostswith 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 onNeil Gaiman’s comic book,Dead Boy Detectivesshares the same world as Gaiman’s other well-known work,The Sandman, which will soon startits second season on Netflix. There are no current plans for Edwin or Charles to appear inThe Sandman, but nothing is ruled out for the future. It’s surprising thatDead Boy Detectivesdidn’t get more episodes with a format thatso easily lent itself to endless case-of-the-week possibilities.
Dead Boy Detectives
WATCH ON NETFLIX
7’Schmigadoon!' (2021-2023)
Created by Ken Daurio & Cinco Paul
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 tothe 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.
Schmigadoon
6’Minx' (2022-2023)
Created by Ellen Rapoport
InMinx, 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 ofPaul Thomas Anderson’sBoogie Nights.
Minxwas 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 sentMinxto Starz, which cancelled the show after its second season. Much like the magazine the characters were making,Minxfought hard for the brief time it had.
5’NCIS: Hawaii' (2021-2024)
Created by Matt Bosack, Jan Nash & Christopher Silber
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: Hawaiiwas 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, andNCIS: Hawaiiwould go out with three seasons of solved cases.
NCIS: Hawaii
WATCH ON PARAMOUNT+
4’Chucky' (2024-2024)
Created by Don Mancini
Continuing the murderous exploits of killer doll Chucky (Brad Dourif),Chuckythe 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 backJennifer Tillyto play Chucky’s plastic bride, Tiffany.Chuckywould take the killer doll from the streets of suburbia to the White House, withDevon Sawaplaying 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.
3’Our Flag Means Death' (2022-2023)
Created by David Jenkins
The Pirate-themed comedyOur Flag Means Deathfollows 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.
WhileOur Flag Means Deathmight give off‘The Officeon a Pirate Ship’ vibes, the series was much more emotionally affecting than it would appear.Our Flag Means Deathwas 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 leastthe creative team was able to complete the story with a satisfying conclusionfor Stede and Blackbeard’s (Taika Waititi) storyline.
Our Flag Means Death
2’Kaos' (2024)
Created by Charlie Covell
A modern retelling of Greek myths,Kaosis a stylish, fun exercise that debuted on Netflix in late August 2024. StarringJeff Goldblumas Zeus,Kaosupdated the classic stories of Gods behaving badly with a modern aestheticthat seemed to exist in a time of its own.Kaoswas 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, butthe Greek fables are cleverly updated to be enjoyable for viewers not familiar with the source material.The visual style is similar in spirit toBaz Luhrmann’sRomeo and Juliet, with bright colors that jump off the screen, so fans of the director would enjoy the eight-episode run. AlthoughKaosdebuted with a fair amount of buzz, low viewership would see the first season be the last.
1’My Lady Jane' (2024)
Created by Gemma Burgess
Based on Cynthia Hand’s novel of the same name,My Lady Janeblends 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 serieswill 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 inA Knight’s Taleback in 2001, withMy Lady Janemaking extensive use of modern music in episodes.
The cancellation ofMy Lady Janeis going to be the worst call of the year and could be a top contender for the worst cancellation of the decade. Amazon cancelledMy Lady Janeafter one season, citing low viewership as the reason. Fans attempted to reverse the decision with a petition, with even famedGame of ThronesauthorGeorge R. R. Martinexpressing that the showdeserved more timethan what it ultimately would have. While Amazon may be done with the TV series, you may stillpurchase the book seriesby hand on their site.
