One of the greatest pains in the pop culture universe is when a beloved show gets canceled before its time. To find a show that has a great story, interesting characters, and a solid cast is hard enough, but losing it after a few seasons or episodes is even worse.
Sadly, the cemetery of prematurely axed shows grows every year. For example, fans were forced to say goodbye to series like Hannibal, Timeless, and The Punisher before they were ready to let go. Some series were loved when they were on but weren't popular enough to stay on the air. Yet, with an increasing number of old shows being brought back to life through remakes and reboots, perhaps there's hope for audiences to see their favorites once more.
Updated on January 12, 2023, by Sky Tilley: It's never fun when a beloved series ends abruptly. Fans invest hours of time into a unique world inhabited by fascinating characters, only to have the show end abruptly. While some shows prepare for a potential cancellation by providing a solid ending for its fans, many series could've benefited from more seasons. We've updated this list with more information, trailers, and season counts.
23 Emergence Fizzled Out After One Mysterious Season
1 Season
Emergence followed police chief Jo, who found a young girl near the site of a mysterious accident. After discovering how the child didn't have any memory of who she was, Jo took her into her home.
Jo started investigating the girl's history, despite the dangers involved, and quickly learned that the child was an artificially-created human and part of a larger project that placed artificial children with unsuspecting families. Unfortunately for viewers, the plotlines were never resolved as Emergence was canceled after its first season.
22 Believe Was Cancelled Before The First Season Ended
13 Episodes
Believe was canceled before its first season even ended. The sci-fi series focused on Bo, a young girl with supernatural powers she couldn't control. Several people from an organization called Orchestra wanted to weaponize her because of her powers, and everyone protecting her found her situation increasingly dangerous.
Out of desperation, Bo's protectors enlisted the death-row inmate, William Tate, for help. Although Tate was reluctant to help because the mission was dangerous, he bonded with Bo during the show's 13 episodes. Believe had a gripping premise, but after only airing 13 episodes, the show was canceled.
21 Emerald City's Adventures In Oz Ended Too Early
1 Season
Emerald City was a darker, grittier take on the beloved classic, The Wizard of Oz. In the series, a war is brewing between those who support science and those who support magic. Viewers praised the show's representation, which included a Latina actor, Adria Arjona, playing Dorothy. However, Emerald City had a mixed reception due to its uneven pacing and writing.
Unfortunately for its viewers, Emerald City was canceled after one season due to low ratings. Consequently, the cliffhanger at the end and its plotlines involving the rumored 'Beast Forever' were never resolved.
20 Hannibal Didn't Air For Long Enough
3 Seasons
Hannibal starred the titular cannibal and Will Graham, a criminal profiler and serial killer hunter. The series followed their tumultuous relationship with each other as they looked into various high-profile crimes and tried to outdo or one-up the other. Despite garnering critical acclaim, numerous awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, and a cult following, Hannibal was canceled after its third season.
This disappointed many fans who felt that Hannibal needed to wrap up its storylines. The cancelation was attributed to low viewership, even though many people believed the series was one of the best in the horror genre.
19 Penny Dreadful Was Renewed For Another Season But Suddenly Ended
3 Seasons
Penny Dreadful was initially renewed for a fourth season, but it was suddenly canceled after the third season finale aired. Viewers were left shocked and confused by the outcome because they expected to see more of the cast's horrific adventures.
The series creator, John Logan, explained that the main story reached a natural conclusion in the third season's finale, so there was no need for another season. A spin-off titled Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels aired in 2020, but fans still miss Penny Dreadful's great performances, intense drama, and captivating plot.
18 The Cast Of Freaks And Geeks Became Household Names
1 Season
Although it lasted just one season Freaks and Geeks became a cult classic in ways that many shows with hundreds of episodes only dream of. The series about high schoolers in 1980's Michigan was created by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow. While it died a quiet death on TV, Freaks and Geeks also helped launch the careers of Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, Busy Philipps, and Martin Starr.
Freaks And Geeks proved to be a wholesome show full of comedy, heart, and '80s nostalgia. Unfortunately, the show ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. The series is widely considered one of the best TV shows of all time, which is an incredible feat considering it only lasted 18 episodes.
17 Undeclared Is Freaks And Geeks' Spiritual Successor
Following the cancelation of Freaks and Geeks, Judd Apatow tried to find the actors some more work. What resulted was Undeclared. The sitcom followed freshmen in college and starred Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Charlie Hunnam, and Carla Gallo, with guest roles for Freaks and Geeks alum Jason Segel, Martin Starr, and Sam Levine.
Sadly, Undeclared only lasted a single season. However, the series has been gaining a bigger cult following over the last few years, and it was even named one of the 25 Best Cult TV Shows by Entertainment Weekly. Fans could scratch their Freaks and Geeks itch by watching Undeclared, but the latter tragically ended the same way.
16 The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina Was Cut Short By The Pandemic
4 Seasons
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was a hit for Netflix, bringing the critically acclaimed comic to live-action. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina added even more witchcraft, mythology, creepiness, and sensuality. Sadly, Netflix decided to end the series after the fourth chapter, even though more had been in the works.
According to Ross Lynch, who played Harvey in the series, the plan originally called for ten more episodes to wrap up Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but Netflix decided to close up shop when things had to be delayed because of COVID. Thankfully, the story picked up in the 2022 comic series, The Occult World of Sabrina, so fans can find out what was going to happen.
15 My So-Called Life Was Ahead Of Its Time
1 Season
Like Freaks and Geeks, My So-Called Life lasted just one season, but it proved to be a breeding ground for great actors. The series followed the life of Angela Chase as she did her best to deal with high school, parents, and questionable friends. My So-Called Life starred Claire Danes, Jared Leto, and Wilson Cruz.
For fans of My So-Called Life, the worst part is that the show's first season ended on a cliffhanger that will never be resolved. Although, fans can see the main cast in different project, as Danes went on to star in Homeland, Leto became the Joker, and Cruz works as a doctor on Star Trek: Discovery. Still, the world will never know if Angela and Jordan Catalano ever made it work.
14 Firefly Got A Second Chance To Close Things Out
1 Season
While Joss Whedon is best known for directing Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron these days, the writer/director started in TV with the hit shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Soon after, Whedon went on to create the short-lived but beloved sci-fi Western, Firefly.
Firefly followed a ragtag group of space travelers who tried to stay one step ahead of an evil government. Unfortunately, the show lasted just 14 episodes. However, fan demand was so strong that Whedon and the cast were given the budget to create a movie, Serenity, that completed the story.
13 Santa Clarita Diet Didn't Get A Second Life
3 Seasons
On paper, Santa Clarita Diet should have been a huge hit for Netflix. The series portrayed a loving real estate couple (played by Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant) who suddenly find their lives turned upside down when Sheila becomes a zombie. Santa Clarita Diet was funny, exciting, and filled with heart.
Sadly, Santa Clarita Diet never seemed to find a larger audience. The series was canceled after three seasons, ending on a cliffhanger that will likely never be answered. Nevertheless, Sheila and Joel Hammond still have their fans.
12 Enlisted Was Endlessly Funny
1 Season
Enlisted was created by Kevin Biegel, the man behind the fan-favorite Cougar Town. The sitcom followed Sgt. Pete Hill and his two brothers, who tried to make the best of their lives while working Rear Detachment on Fort McGee military base in Florida.
While Enlisted was endlessly funny, what made the show special was the way it handled some very real and serious topics, including Pete's PTSD from serving in Afghanistan. The critically acclaimed series lasted just 13 episodes, but viewers can always find a fellow fan by saying, "hands on heads."
11 Daybreak Was Fast-Paced And Funny
1 Season
If fans were to combine a '90s teen movie with a zombie apocalypse TV show, the result would be Daybreak. The Netflix series follows high school outcast Josh Wheeler as he deals with a post-apocalyptic world where every adult has turned into a zombie. Daybreak was fast-paced, funny, and filled with great characters, including the 10-year-old pyromaniac Angelica Green.
Unfortunately, Netflix canceled Daybreak after just 10 episodes. While the show didn't end on a cliffhanger, it was clear to everyone who watched that things were just getting started. Thankfully, the series was based on a graphic novel, so fans had more of Josh's story to read up on.
10 Netflix Canceled GLOW During The Pandemic
3 Seasons
GLOW is a hilarious, well-written TV show that's earned a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. GLOW followed the lives of various divas, including Ruth "Zoya the Destroya" Wilder and Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan. After three great seasons, fans were ready for the fourth and final season to close out the story.
However, when COVID forced most shows to halt production, Netflix decided not to move forward with the series. Shortly after it was announced that GLOW had been canceled, word started to spread of a possible movie that would close out the remaining storylines. Unfortunately, that never came to pass.
9 Agent Carter Is Ready To Return
2 Seasons
Running for two seasons that consisted of just 18 episodes, Marvel's Agent Carter was a big-budget series on ABC. Sadly, the cost to create Agent Carter was more than ABC and the studio were willing to continue shelling out for at the time. So, the early adventures of Peggy Carter and the organization that would one day become S.H.I.E.L.D. came to a quick close.
However, now that the MCU Disney+ shows have found huge success with big-budget series, it isn't an impossible dream to hope for the further adventures of Peggy Carter in weekly installments. In the show, Peggy's superheroics played second fiddle to her day-to-day life, which fans found very refreshing.
8 Archive 81 Is A Twisty Horror Dive Into The Occult
1 Season
A Netflix horror series, Archive 81 follows a determined archivist who sifts through videotapes that document a haunted apartment building and its mysterious inhabitants. One of the best things about Archive 81 is that it doesn't rush itself; it dedicates ample time to building its world, a decision which deliciously pays off in the later episodes.
The acting throughout Archive 81 is top-notch, which complements its rich story and chilling scares. One particular scary scene involves a séance that will haunt viewers long after the credits roll. With only eight intriguing episodes, Archive 81 desperately needed another season.
7 The Punisher Is A Beloved Marvel Series
2 Seasons
Netflix's The Punisher was one of rightfully praised for its tense action sequences and unique plot. While viewers would've loved more content from any of Marvel's series, The Punisher's thrilling story demanded more and a third season would've given Jon Bernthal more time to shine.
Jon Bernthal has been riding a career high with shows like We Own This City and the widely anticipated American Gigolo. He's also been in several hit movies like Baby Driver and King Richard. As Bernthal is such a recognizable face in Hollywood, fans would jump at the chance to watch a third season of The Punisher.
6 Almost Human Is A Police Procedural With A Cyborg
1 Season
Almost Human is set in a future where every human police officer partnered with an android. In Almost Human, Karl Urban's John Kennex harbors a strong aversion to androids because of a past trauma. However, after pairing up with his cybernetic partner, portrayed by Michael Ealy, John slowly learns that not all androids are alike.
Almost Human is pretty reminiscent of dystopian films like Blade Runner. The series tackles artificial intelligence, morality, and what it means to be human. The show also offers a fresh twist on police procedurals, which helped it become a fan-favorite. Unfortunately, Almost Human was abruptly canceled after one season.
5 Wayne Is A Quirky Coming-Of-Age Story
1 Season
Filled with humor, action, and a captivating story, Wayne captured the hearts of its audience but only aired for one season. The comedy series originally aired on YouTube Red before moving to Amazon Prime. Wayne followed the titular no-nonsense vigilante, who went on a search for his father's stolen '79 Trans Am.
Along the way, Wayne meets an ensemble of unique characters, which leads to wild and unpredictable antics. Wayne currently has one season. Although it was canceled, there has been some speculation it will continue for a second season. Hopeful that Wayne will release a second season, devoted fans have rallied on Twitter.
4 Fans Would Love To See More Of The Winchester Brothers In Supernatural
15 Seasons
Supernatural ended on its fifteenth season, and while that's an incredibly long run for a series, there was plenty of life in its original monster-of-the-week premise. Supernatural retained its popularity throughout its run, but if it had continued beyond its conclusion, fans would've happily watched the Winchester brothers continue their hunt of supernatural entities.
Although a prequel series titled The Winchesters was released last year, fans mainly met a new ensemble of characters. The prequel show has been successful, but fans still hope to see the Winchester brothers return.