It’s no secret that streaming platforms are the toughest of environments. Yes, there are the mega-hits like House of the Dragon and The Bear, but beneath them are a whole microcosm of shows that are struggling to survive, or at least to hit the viewing figures that execs deem worthy of another season.
Even if the signs are good - like Prime Video’s My Lady Jane, launched in June to much fanfare - that doesn’t necessarily save them from the executioner’s axe (it was cancelled earlier this month).
And it doesn’t stop there. With the news that Star Wars show The Acolyte was cancelled earlier this week, we thought the time was right for a round-up of the most notable shows to have been cancelled so far this year. Not heard about your favourite programme for a while? This might be why…
My Lady Jane - Prime Video
On August 16, Deadline confirmed that Prime Video had chosen not to renew the Tudor fantasy series. Despite positive reviews, the show hadn’t ranked highly enough on streaming viewing service Nielsen to make it worth renewing. Naturally, fans didn’t take the news too well.
“Cancelling My Lady Jane is such a huge misstep. I can't think of another recent show that has so quickly overcome poor marketing and inspired such loyalty and conversation among seemingly everyone who watched it," one wrote. "It's truly so magical and fun. It deserves more!!"
The Acolyte - Disney+
Disney+’s latest venture into the Star Wars universe came crashing down to earth with a bang when it announced in August that the show would be cancelled after one season. It’s left several plot threads hanging in the process - including one of its protagonists turning to the Dark Side - but perhaps it’s no surprise. After all, the show didn’t get many viewers, and it got review-bombed by certain angry fans upon its release too.
Halo on Paramount +
Talk about an anticlimax. After two seasons of build-up (they’ve only just gotten to the Halo, for crying out loud) the series - which is based on the beloved video games - was canned by Paramount+ on July 18. “Paramount+ can confirm that ‘Halo’ will not move forward with a third season on the service,” the streamer said - although it seems as though the show’s creators are trying to sell it elsewhere, so there’s still hope.
Outer Range - Prime Video
Josh Brolin’s sci-fi western series was a twisty, lore-packed show that combined the mythology of the Old West with life in modern Wyoming. And despite performing strongly with viewers, it was still cancelled by Prime Video in July - naturally leaving the characters all facing cliffhanger fates. Boo.
American Born Chinese - Disney+
Another exceptionally speedy streaming casualty. This off-the-wall fantasy series drew comparisons to A24’s megahit Everything Everywhere All At Once and was stuffed with star power - including Michelle Yeoh, no less. It even got strong reviews when it came out last year. However, weak viewing figures meant that the show got cancelled in January.
Buying Beverly Hills- Netflix
Fans of property porn, look away now. The show, which first aired in 2022, followed a team of real estate agents at The Agency in Los Angeles. Think gorgeous, massive houses and celeb clients - but the show was canned by Netflix after it said its “viewing numbers versus the cost of production” didn’t match up.
Schmigadoon! - Apple TV+
Too quirky for mainstream success? Schmigadoon, which transported its run-of-the-mill heroes to various musical theatre-inspired worlds, managed to stick it out for two seasons, but the series’ co-creator Cinco Paul shared the news in January. “I am sad to share that Apple will not be moving forward with Season 3 of Schmigadoon!”, he wrote, adding: “The season is written (including 25 new songs) but we unfortunately won’t be making it. Such is life.”
The Big Door Prize - Apple TV+
Another Apple casualty. This one was based on the book by M.O. Walsh and starred Chris O’Dowd as Dusty, one of the residents of a town that is forever changed by the arrival of a strange machine. Despite season two ending with a cliffhanger, the show was apparently cancelled by Apple within a few weeks of its release. Yikes.
Constellation - Apple TV+
The parallel-universe hopping, extremely complicated Constellation aired in April - but barely a month later, the show was cancelled by Apple TV+. Though Apple has never released the viewing figures for the show, it leaves many of the central characters (including Noomi Rapace’s central character Jo) facing uncertain fates. How about a one-off special to wrap things up?
Ratched - Netflix
Despite Sarah Paulson’s brilliantly twisted performance as Nurse Ratched (aka the villain from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Netflix called time on the show after just one season - despite initially signing it for a two-season deal. Paulson confirmed the news in February 2024, four years after season one aired and after rampant speculation on the show’s future.
The Flight Attendant - Max/ Sky
Has it been cancelled? Could it still return? The future of Kaley Cuoco’s thriller series is still uncertain. What we do know is that after wrapping its second season in May 2022, the show has gone into creative limbo, and while Cuoco has hinted that it could return, Max has said that “no official decision” has been made yet.
Julia - Max/ Sky
Another perplexing decision from Max saw Julia - the show about celebrity chef Julia Child - cancelled earlier this year. Boasting a strong ensemble cast, including Sarah Lancashire as Child and David Hyde Pierce as husband Paul, it was hotly tipped to return, but poor viewing figures once more seem to have made the streamer call time.
Our Flag Means Death - Max/ Sky
Another casualty of the recent Max plug-pulls. This brilliantly quirky comedy show, starring Taika Waititi as one of a group of inept pirates plundering the high seas, was finally cancelled after reports surfaced of tension between the cast and creators about how they envisaged the show ending. Plus, Waititi’s availability may have made continuing filming difficult - but hey, there is a dedicated fan campaign to bring it back.
