If there’s one merciless fact about tv, it’s this – fantasy exhibits not often get the lengthy runs they deserve. Certain, Sport of Thrones could have stretched its wings for eight seasons (arguably too many, relying on who you ask), and Supernatural defied all logic by sticking round for 15 years. However for each epic fantasy collection that survives the trade’s ruthless chopping block, a dozen extra discover themselves canceled earlier than they’ll unlock their full potential. It’s as if networks function on some historic prophecy that warns them in opposition to letting fantasy exhibits reside previous two or three seasons.
As a lot as we’d wish to imagine that’s the case, fantasy exhibits need to depend on high-budget manufacturing values, elaborate world-building, and charming characters so as to thrive. Generally, their area of interest attraction ends in low viewership, and so they turn out to be weak. And worst of all, some simply vanish from mainstream discussions proper when they’re gearing up for his or her finest narratives but.
On this record, we dive into the ten fantasy exhibits that have been canceled too quickly for one cause or one other.
10
‘Kaos’ (2024)
Kaos
- Launch Date
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2024 – 2023
- Administrators
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Georgi Banks-Davies, Runyararo Mapfumo
- Writers
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Charlie Covell, Georgia Christou
Greek mythology has been a supply of inspiration for a lot of TV exhibits, and Kaos is simply one other darkly comedic collection that arrived on Netflix. It presents Zeus as an insecure ruler whose grip on energy is starting to slide. Prometheus, shackled, narrates a prophecy concerning the downfall of the gods. On the similar time, three mortals, Eurydice, Caeneus, and Ariadne, turn out to be key gamers within the wrestle that ensues.
Kaos holds a 77% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and critiques that reward its mashup of satire, politics, and fantasy. The way in which it places a up to date twist on historic myths and fearlessly explores themes of energy and identification is spectacular as nicely. Nevertheless, Netflix determined to drag the plug after one season because of inadequate viewership numbers and failure to fulfill the streamer’s renewal standards. Which is unusual as a result of the present maintained a spot within the International High 10 charts for a number of weeks.
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9
‘Galavant’ (2015 – 2016)
Galavant is a uncommon gem within the fantasy comedy style. It tells the story of a dashing knight searching for revenge in opposition to the villainous King Richard, who stole his woman love, Madalena. With the assistance of his squire Sid and Princess Isabella, Galavant embarks on a quest stuffed with witty dialogue, weird encounters, and catchy songs composed by the one and solely Alan Menken.
The rationale Galavant has a powerful cult following is that it combines medieval journey with Broadway-style musical numbers. The style is already dominated by darkish fantasy tales, however this one stood out as a whimsical and heartfelt journey by way of a world of knights, princesses, and villains. Regardless of its originality, ABC couldn’t discover a secure viewers and the present’s area of interest attraction made it not possible to compete with mainstream hits, resulting in a cancellation.
8
‘The Secret Circle’ (2011 – 2012)
the key circle
- Launch Date
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2011 – 2011
- Community
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The CW
- Administrators
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Brad Turner, David Barrett, John Fawcett, Joshua Butler, Alex Zakrzewski, Charles Beeson, Chris Grismer, Colin Bucksey, Liz Friedlander, Nick Copus
- Writers
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David Ehrman, Andrea Newman, Holly Henderson, Don Whitehead
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-
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Joe Lando
Daybreak Chamberlain
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Natasha Henstridge
Cassie Blake
Set within the quiet city of Probability Harbor, Washington, The Secret Circle follows Cassie Blake, who has simply moved into city to reside together with her grandmother after the tragic passing of her mom. She discovers that she is a hereditary witch and is drawn right into a secret coven with 5 different younger witches who want her to unlock their full magical talents.
It’s all the time attention-grabbing to look at a teenage drama infused with supernatural intrigue. The Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf, and Supernatural are the proper examples of the profitable components. The Secret Circle additionally had a promising begin and connection to the 9 Dobrev-led collection. However whereas it debuted with robust scores, viewership declined within the second half. The CW additionally cited excessive prices of particular results and placement taking pictures as causes for its cancellation after one season.
7
‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Company’ (2016 – 2017)
Interconnected chaos is all Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Company is about. The comedian fantasy detective collection follows the eccentric detective Dirk Gently and his reluctant assistant Todd Brotzman as they remedy weird circumstances and are guided by unusual connections. Throughout two seasons, Dirk and Todd attempt to untangle an internet of supernatural theories, lethal assassins, and a secret CIA venture, all whereas attempting to make sense of the universe’s coincidences.
Primarily based on Douglas Adams’ novels, the present blends fantasy, thriller, and absurd humor to weave a story that includes time journey, body-swapping, and secret authorities experiments. Sadly, regardless of incomes crucial reward for its quirky characters and creative storytelling, the present was cancelled after two seasons and BBC America cited low scores as a key issue.
6
‘As soon as Upon a Time in Wonderland’ (2013 – 2014)
A shocking growth of the world first created by ABC’s As soon as Upon a Time in 2011, this spin-off reimagines Alice in Wonderland by way of a romantic lens. The principle character, Alice, is decided to reunite together with her real love, Cyrus, who’s a genie trapped by the villainous Jafar and the Purple Queen. Alice seeks assist from the White Rabbit and the Knave of Hearts and traverses Wonderland’s magical landscapes to rescue Cyrus.
As soon as Upon a Time in Wonderland blends parts from Aladdin and Wonderland and creates an interconnected fantasy world. Brimming with essentially the most imaginative parts, attractive manufacturing values, a gifted forged, and a passionate fanbase, the present had a lot potential. Nevertheless, it struggled with scores because of its Thursday nighttime slot and heavy competitors from The Large Bang Idea and The Vampire Diaries. It was ultimately canceled after only one season.
5
‘Da Vinci’s Demons’ (2013 – 2015)
Da Vinci’s Demons is a historic fantasy drama that sheds some fashionable mild on the early years of Leonardo da Vinci. It follows the good however tormented artist and inventor as he navigates secret societies, political intrigue, and unusual quests. The present is ready in Renaissance Italy, so it additionally explores Leonardo’s involvement with the Medici household and his rivalry with the Catholic Church.
Tom Riley is totally unbelievable because the unconventional thinker. He presents da Vinci as a visionary forward of his time; as a person struggling in opposition to forces that search to regulate his concepts. However whatever the robust performances, Da Vinci’s Demons was canceled after three seasons. Starz CEO Chris Albrecht revealed the explanation was the overlapping of audiences with exhibits like Black Sails and Ash vs Evil Useless. The ultimate season didn’t finish with a cliffhanger, however followers believed the present had extra tales to inform.
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4
‘Carnival Row’ (2019 – 2023)
Carnival Row
- Launch Date
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2019 – 2022
- Community
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Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video’s Carnival Row introduces audiences to a world the place mythological creatures reside as refugees amongst people. Many of the collection takes place within the Victorian-inspired metropolis of The Burgue and follows Rycroft, a detective tasked with investigating a string of brutal murders. In the meantime, Vignette, a fae, struggles with oppression and will get caught up in a revolutionary motion that leads her to Rycroft, whose personal heritage is mysterious.
Boasting a formidable ensemble forged led by the very handsome duo of Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, Carnival Row gave audiences loads to be fascinated with. The cancellation got here after two years, however followers totally believed that it broke quite a lot of fantasy TV conventions and had quite a lot of attention-grabbing world-building that might not have been explored in depth as a result of it was lower quick.
3
‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021 – 2023)
Shadow and Bone
- Launch Date
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2021 – 2023
- Community
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Netflix
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Jessie Mei Li
Alina Starkov
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Archie Renaux
Malyen ‘Mal’ Oretsev
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Freddy Carter
Kaz Brekker
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Primarily based on the beloved Grishaverse novels of Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone revolves round Alina Starkov, a younger mapmaker who discovers that she possesses the uncommon capability to summon mild. Which makes her important to destroying the Shadow Fold, a darkish and monster-infested barrier dividing their actuality and the surface world. Alina trains underneath Common Kirigan and, however, a bunch of rogues plans their very own harmful missions.
Bardugo’s best-selling books have an infinite fanbase that was prepared and keen to gorge down a number of seasons of Shadow and Bone. Which is why the primary season was successful and season two remained in Netflix’s International High 10 for 5 weeks after its launch. The streamer determined to cancel the collection after two seasons because of manufacturing prices and a strategic shift in content material planning. It was notably irritating for followers as a result of the second season ended on a cliffhanger.
2
‘Cursed’ (2020)
Cursed
- Launch Date
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2020 – 2019
- Community
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Netflix
Tailored from Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler’s illustrated novel of the identical identify, Cursed reimagines an Arthurian legend and tells the story of Nimue, a younger Fey girl destined to turn out to be the Woman of the Lake. After her village is destroyed by the Purple Paladins, she units out to ship the Sword of Energy to Merlin. The sweeping fantasy journey locations the protagonist in a world getting ready to conflict.
The gorgeous manufacturing values, compelling characters, and a refreshing feminist tackle Arthurian mythology are what units Cursed aside from different fantasy collection. The intriguing premise didn’t cease Netflix from quietly canceling the present after only one season. Followers admired the darker tone however critics felt the pacing was uneven and that the story lacked sufficient substance to warrant a number of seasons.
1
‘My Woman Jane’ (2024)
My Woman Jane
- Launch Date
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2024 – 2023
- Showrunner
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Gemma Burgess, Meredith Glynn
- Administrators
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Jamie Babbit, Stefan Schwartz
Prime Video’s My Woman Jane places a whimsical twist on Tudor historical past. It takes place in a actuality the place the battle isn’t between Protestants and Catholics however between the Verities and Ethians. Jane is a herbalist who’s pressured into marriage with Guildford Dudley. However after he transforms right into a horse by evening, Jane should take the obligations of queen and take care of court docket conspiracies.
Starring a formidable forged that features the likes of Emily Bader, Edward Bluemel, and Anna Chancellor, My Woman Jane captivated audiences however was put underneath the chopping block after only one season. The present holds a 94% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, however Prime Video confirmed low viewership as the explanation for its cancellation. Followers have been clearly not pleased with the choice, and so they began a petition. Even fantasy creator and A Music of Ice and Hearth creator George R.R. Martin was a part of the rally.