TV cancellations aren’t near America’s most urgent downside headed into 2025 — however in an unsure 12 months for the leisure business, untimely endings in inventive workplaces pack as huge a punch as ever.
Main guild strikes ended final 12 months and the streaming bubble burst from 2022 has given platforms at the least a while to get well since. Nonetheless, the numerous impacts of Hollywood’s faltering enterprise mannequin could possibly be felt all through episodic and have productions as dwindling work continued to maneuver away from conventional alternative hubs in Los Angeles. As movie scenes in different U.S. states and Canada benefited from decline in Southern California, the swan track of peak tv skilled an ongoing lower in new sequence getting greenlit and an uptick in single-season cancellations.
From community staples ending this 12 months (“The Good Physician,” “Blue Bloods,” “Younger Sheldon”) to streaming favorites wrapping it up quickly (“Large Mouth,” “Handmaid’s Story,” “Cobra Kai”), the titles not returning say as a lot concerning the state of the small display screen as something promised on a spring slate. Spin-offs struggled (“Fairly Little Liars: Authentic Sin,” “Orphan Black: Echoes”) simply as unique concepts didn’t breakthrough (“Kaos,” “The Brothers Solar”). And constant even in an unpredictable market, the sophomore droop got here for dramedies (“Life & Beth,” “Unprisoned”) whereas quietly celebrated sci-fi stored pulling in followers via their finales (“Outer Vary,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Arcane”).
We had huge style swings (“Lifeless Boy Detectives”) gone too quickly and misunderstood cartoons (“Velma”) come to a sudden shut. And that’s saying nothing of the resolutions for long-celebrated sequence, from FX’s “What We Do within the Shadows” to the juggernaut “Yellowstone.” Wanting again on the 12 months, we’ve narrowed down the cancellations to recollect by compiling the ten most controversial case research. These are the surprising… or, at the least, largely surprising… conclusions that greatest mirror the instability many audiences and artists are feeling as they wrap up 2024 in TV.
Entries are listed in no specific order. Try all of IndieWire’s Better of 2024 content material.
“The Acolyte” (Disney+)
Not since “The Mandalorian” Season 1 has Star Wars generated TV buzz prefer it did with “The Acolyte.” And but, Disney went forward with one of many 12 months’s most stunning heel turns anyway — tossing apart the boundary-pushing sequence from creator Leslye Headland amid numerous streaming and fandom forces.
Disregarding a number of years of narrative planning from Lucasfilm Publishing was a disappointing response from the studio amid a blended response to the polarizing however nonetheless in style sequence. It additionally indicated a transfer away from the extra complicated themes lately explored by “The Acolyte” and its ongoing modern “Andor,” as defined by IndieWire’s Christian Blauvelt in August. If “Agatha All Alongside” delivered a big enchancment for current Marvel TV, then the cancellation of the “The Acolyte” suggests the start of a darkish time for live-action Star Wars on the small display screen.
Learn IndieWire’s overview of “The Acolyte” by Proma Khosla.
“Chucky” (SyFy)
Courtesy SyFy/USA
SyFy’s relationship to scripted content material (and its sister community USA) has been shifting for years, nevertheless it was however irritating to see Don Mancini’s “Chucky” screech to a halt after Season 3.
A big fan marketing campaign to resume the horror-comedy sequence about everybody’s favourite killer doll picked up assist all through the style group. That groundswell got here regardless of a tone that divided some viewers who higher appreciated the early “Baby’s Play” motion pictures, additionally written by Mancini. Nonetheless, the mission provided a novel alternative to reunite iconic expertise with the franchise (hello, Jennifer Tilly!) and let the screenwriter reimagine his legendary character for an uninitiated, extra progressive viewers. Season 4 had already been pitched to the community, however reportedly didn’t transfer ahead because of the present’s excessive funds. A lot of “Chucky” manufacturing went via a crew primarily based in Toronto.
Learn IndieWire’s interview with “Chucky” puppeteers by Jim Hemphill.
“Someone Someplace” (HBO)
Showrunners Paul Thureen and Hannah Bos are nonetheless on the lookout for a method ahead with their gone-to-soon “Someone Someplace.” So is star Bridget Everett, who floated the thought of a film when chatting with IndieWire. The intoxicating and endearing comedy deserves some form of future, even when its de facto finale did finish bothSeason 3 and the present on the right word.
The HBO sequence a couple of lady who returns to her Kansas hometown wrapped issues up with a rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” — a triumphant second reflective of the whole lot that made followers fall for Everett’s efficiency and character. “Someone Someplace” creators didn’t know the present was ending forward of that second, however the underdog treasure was named the Finest TV Present of 2024 at IndieWire for a cause. High quality ought to imply safety… and Sam deserves to climb!
Learn IndieWire’s have a look at the finale’s closing moments by Erin Strecker.
“Our Flag Means Loss of life” (Max)
Govt producer and star Taika Waititi described the shock finale of “Our Flag Means Loss of life” as feeling like “a pure finish.” Nonetheless, remembering this cancellation from the very starting of the 12 months looks like pouring salt in a recent wound.
A lot has occurred because the daybreak of Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022 that you would (and we did!) itemize the tasks impacted by David Zaslav’s ruthless merger. There are worse fates for TV reveals to endure at a streaming platform recognized for disappearing content material within the identify of tax breaks than ending after two sturdy and heartfelt seasons. Nonetheless, creator David Jenkins’ queer pirate comedy felt prefer it had extra swash-buckling to provide — and its restricted life smacks of the continued decline throughout LGBTQ+ TV.
Learn IndieWire’s overview of “Our Flag Means Loss of life” Season 2 by Ben Travers.
“Schmigadoon!” (Apple TV+)
Courtesy Apple TV+
The enjoyment evident in “Schmigadoon!” feels outright miraculous when you think about what number of obstacles the Apple TV+ musical confronted. Right here’s hoping the stage model (opening in January 2025 on the Kennedy Middle) has higher luck.
Season 1 of the TV present noticed the solid and crew grappling with pandemic restrictions, whereas Season 2 premiered into the center of the strikes. Even nonetheless, it earned seven Emmy nominations — profitable one! — and amassed essential reward alongside a vibrant and vocal viewers. Creator Cinco Paul introduced the present’s cancellation on Instagram and stated of the deliberate third installment, “The season is written (together with 25 new songs) however we sadly received’t be making it. Such is life.” A winsome Broadway comedy starring Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Robust by no means appeared prone to survive the streaming bubble burst, however there’s a specific disappointment to by no means seeing a present theater children nonetheless wish to make.
Learn IndieWire’s stay up for the “Schmigadoon!” stage adaptation by Mark Peikert.
“9-1-1: Lone Star” (Fox)
Co-creators Ryan Murphy and Tim Minear are reportedly already at work on a brand new spinoff for his or her procedural franchise sensation “9-1-1.” Even so, many followers are struggling to wrap their heads round one thing as huge as “Lone Star” failing to maneuver ahead when there’s appreciable demand for it.
Murphy attributed the first-responder sequence upcoming finale in February to difficult financials — a outcome, he instructed Selection, of the Disney/Fox merger that was “by no means going to work.” Star Rob Lowe (additionally an government producer) introduced his exit from “Lone Star” a number of weeks earlier than information of the present’s finish was made official, suggesting a number of elements contributed to the community’s determination.
Learn IndieWire’s rating of Ryan Murphy TV sequence.
“My Woman Jane” (Prime Video)
A subtly astonishing advertising gamble, “My Woman Jane” took Prime Video scrollers unexpectedly, and acquired a confused response in return. What was marketed as a Tudors-era interval romance as an alternative transported audiences to a fantasy land the place the protagonist’s husband routinely turns right into a horse — amongst different therianthropic adventures — and the CGI at all times left one thing to be desired.
As IndieWire’s Erin Strecker put it in June, “My Woman Jane” is filled with so many anamorph results that the present “too typically falls into downright silliness that makes one surprise why this story mentions actual individuals in any respect.” Followers of the sequence’ supply materials from 2016 have bravely defended the epic’s deserves on-line, nevertheless it’s not exhausting to see how the misdirect may result in a streaming cancellation. Debates about “My Woman Jane” viewership dimension and influence proceed to rage — though it’s exhausting to dispute the eye an abrupt conclusion can all of the sudden convey to a present wherein characters spontaneously develop into birds.
Learn two IndieWire editors’ debate over the deserves of “My Woman Jane.”
“Halo” (Paramount+)
Courtesy Paramount+
Fumbling main online game IP is a time-honored custom for all sorts of filmmakers. TV followers got some hope due to current reveals like HBO’s “The Final of Us” and Prime Video’s “Fallout.” However this 12 months, “Halo” proved the rule at Paramount+ and was cancelled after two seasons that not solely failed to face out in a crowded style — however didn’t make good on the sci-fi epic’s reportedly astronomical funds.
Between intense particular results and sprawling landscapes, “Halo” was at all times going to value rather a lot. The executives managing its future little question anticipated that however bailed on their funding fairly the course right. Trade pressures compelled scads of selections like that throughout the streamers, however “Halo” creators and at the least some followers (who largely appreciated the story’s departure from the sport lore) won’t ever know if the sophomore present’s manufacturing construction was price saving.
Learn IndieWire’s overview of “Halo” Season 1 by Ben Travers.
“Evil” (CBS)
Shedding each “Star Trek: Discovery” and “Evil” in a single 12 months was a critical blow for style followers with Paramount+ subscriptions — however there’s cause to really feel just like the horror heads acquired the worst of it in the long run.
The identical cost-cutting efforts that impacted “Halo” could have ended the “Discovery” spinoff of the flagship sci-fi sequence, however a number of associated tasks are ongoing on the streamer. In the meantime, followers of the paranormal thriller horror sequence found that the writers’ strike halted Season 4 mid-production and the present ws unexpectedly wrapped up in a dispiriting four-episode extension. Until you depend the outdated “Twilight Zone” episodes, that put the nail within the coffin on CBS’ strongest scary providing to this point.
“Arcane” (Netflix)
The discerning TV information shopper ought to immediately spot “Arcane” as a trick merchandise on this listing. And but, for too many “League of Legends” followers, rumors that the beloved animated sequence (that includes the voice performing skills of Haileen Steinfeld and Ella Purnell amongst others) had been canceled at Netflix routinely overwhelmed the reality.
The critically acclaimed sequence was at all times set to finish after two seasons, as confirmed by Riot Video games CEO Marc Merrill whereas responding to fan issues that one thing had shifted within the storytelling universe’s future plans at Netflix. Positive, the sequence’ revolutionary animation fashion value the streamer rather a lot to supply, however the present has been broadly celebrated as an all-around success for online game diversifications in tv. That’s a optimistic clarification for why followers worry the caliber of “Arcane” by no means coming again — though their nervousness additionally displays an comprehensible angst on this rockier aspect of the Streaming Age.