Television history is filled with brilliant shows that we can hardly believe ended in just a few years. With that, some shows are ahead of their time but got canceled due to different reasons, that’s not about low viewership. What makes these cancellations tragic is that they’re doing something completely different. With that, we’re presenting the 10 canceled TV shows that were too good for the world.
9. Santa Clarita Diet
This horror-comedy stars Drew Barrymore playing a real estate agent. However, what makes the show unique is that Barrymore becomes a zombie. It struck a balance between the right amount of gore and drama, exploring scenes that delved into marriage, family, and mortality, something you’ve never seen before. Netflix’s sudden cancellation after three seasons left a hole in the hearts of fans who love a good balance of comedy and horror.
8. Sense8
The Wachowskis’ sci-fi series is something that has never been done before. It’s about eight strangers from around the world who become mentally and emotionally linked. It celebrated human connection and showed it through good cinematography across multiple countries. Sadly, Netflix canceled the show after two seasons, but fans wouldn’t take it that they gave a two-hour finale to get the story’s closure.
7. Carnivàle
This was HBO’s Depression-era tale about a traveling carnival with a battle between good and evil. It showcases mythology for anyone interested in topics related to Christian theology and Gnosticism. Sadly, HBO canceled the show after it aired two seasons, citing high production costs. It actually left a grand six-season plan, leaving fans without answers.
6. My So-Called Life
For anyone who loves a good teen drama and is a fan of Claire Danes, this show definitely haunted you! Danes played the character of Angela Chase, who navigated high school with a realistic portrayal. It tackled issues such as identity, gender, and family dynamics that were way ahead of their time during the ’90s. Despite its devoted viewers, ABC canceled it after airing just one season, leaving a cliffhanger in the romance part that still haunts fans three decades later.
5. Deadwood
Another show for those who want a good historical piece. Deadwood was set in the lawless South Dakota mining camp in 1870. It showed the evolution of the once chaotic and brutal camp becoming an organized town. The cast was star-studded with the duo of Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant. However, all of a sudden, HBO canceled the show after three seasons, leaving storylines dangling. Luckily for fans, a 2019 TV movie provided a resolution 13 years after it ended.
4. Mindhunter
David Fincher’s psychological crime drama was for the TV show history books. It’s about an FBI agent who pioneered criminal profiling. It gives a psychological exploration of the minds of s*rial k*llers. But after two amazing seasons, Netflix put the show on an “indefinite hold,” which directly meant cancellation. With that, multiple storylines went unresolved.
3. Pushing Daisies
Bryan Fuller’s tale about a pie-maker who can bring the dead back to life was one of the unique TV series during its run. We’re talking about the fairy-tale romance and storybook aesthetic that charmed audiences. But in 2007-2008, the writers’ strike interrupted the momentum of the show, and ABC canceled it after two seasons.
2. The OA
This canceled Netflix show is anything but mind-bending. Brit Marling’s Prairie Johnson returned after a seven-year disappearance with stories about near-death experiences and interdimensional travel. But just as the show was expanding on the mythology part, Netflix canceled the show after running for two seasons, leaving viewers with a cliffhanger.
1. Firefly
Joss Whedon’s space western show lasted only one season, but its impact can’t be denied. The show features a blend of sci-fi adventure with complex characters with witty dialogues. The story follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity as they travel through the fringes of civilized space. However, Fox decided to air the episodes out of order, which destroyed the series. The fans’ outcry was intense enough that the film Serenity was given to them as a resolution.