TV show cancellations are devastating enough on their own. But when a series has already been renewed, then gets unceremoniously axed? That’s eat-ice-cream-straight-outta-the-gallon levels of heartbreak.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the occasional TV show did have its renewal for a subsequent season reversed, as happened with series like HBO’s Vinyl or ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. But as COVID upended the TV industry in 2020 and beyond — affecting production schedules and budgets, among other factors — it became frustratingly common for shows that were already picked up for additional seasons to later be cancelled.
In recent months, the ever-shifting landscape of new streaming services and corporate mergers has had an impact, too: AMC Networks’ lineup has been hit especially hard by recent cost-cutting efforts, which led to rescinded renewals for 61st Street, Moonhaven and Pantheon. But “un-renewals” have affected broadcast (ABC’s Stumptown), cable (TBS’ People of Earth) and streaming (Netflix’s GLOW) over the years… and it’s possible the trend isn’t over just yet.
Which unexpected cancellation still stings the most for you? Scroll through our list below to see all of the reversed renewals, then drop a comment with the shows you wish had returned.
