Throughout the year, several acclaimed series, old and new, were renewed for a follow-up season, but a fewTVshows that were just as promising were canceled by their respective services.It’s not uncommon for TV shows to be canceled, especially when viewership is low or production costs are too high. However, when a series has earned a glowing reception and a substantial number of positive reviews, the news that it will be canceled can be quite disappointing to audiences.
This is especially true when it appears thatmore and more series aren’t given a fair chance to grow a passionate fan basebefore they are ultimately axed. Many popularseries like3 Body Problem,The Day of the Jackal, andTell Me Lieshave been renewedfollowing an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences. Yet, when a comparable response is given to TV shows that are canceled, it leaves audiences frustrated, especially when there’s no clear reason given as to why such a decision was made.
Time Bandits
Cast
Eleven-year-old Kevin joins a group of time-traveling thieves on a comedic and perilous adventure. As they navigate through various historical periods, they embark on a mission to save Kevin’s parents and ultimately the world, blending humor with high-stakes drama in this adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s cult classic.
Based on the 1981 film of the same name,Time Banditssaw its group of memorable time-traveling bandits being accompanied by an 11-year-old history buff.Time Banditsaimed to please both kids and their parents, making for a series everyone in the family could get behind.
The series was able to become something largely brand-new without sacrificing moments of nostalgia to satisfy fans of the original film. Though the series had its flaws,its immersive world-building and comedic elements made it a fun seriesthat had the potential to work out its kinks with a second season.
Time Bandits' cancelation was announced viaDeadlinein September 2024.
Time Banditsdid earn mostly positive reviews from critics, but its nostalgic appeal wasn’t enough to gain a large audience. It’s difficult to say whether the Apple TV+ series would have done better with a second season, but the expensive production costs weren’t worth the risk of continuing the show to find out.
Halo
A live-action adaptation of the video game franchise of the same name, Halo follows Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 (Pablo Schrieber) as he fights his part in a war between humanity’s United Nations Space Command (UNSC) and the Covenant, an alliance of multiple hostile races of aliens intent on destroying the human race. The Master Chief is supported by Cortana (Jen Taylor) - an AI construct based on the personality of Dr. Catherine Halsey, who created the Spartan supersoldier program - implanted in his brain.
Based on the video game franchise of the same name,Haloon Paramount+ won’t be moving forward with season 3.Haloseason 1 began with a rocky start, as audiences and critics felt differently about the direction the series was taking. Though most could agree the visual effects and action scenes were a success, there was a discrepancy in the reaction to the new material being added to the show.
Halo’s cancelation was announced viaThe Hollywood Reporterin July 2024.
However,Haloseason 2 was better received by both groups and showed a great amount of improvement. Such growth was unfortunately cut short when it was announced the series wouldn’t move forward. As a result,severalHalostorylines won’t come to fruition, leaving audiences with unanswered questions and unfulfilled desires for one of the better video game adaptations in recent years.
That ’90s Show
That ’70s Show returns set two decades later with That ’90s Show, acting as a sequel but bringing back old cast favorites. Led by Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) Forman, the new cast arrives as the next generation, with the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman, leading the charge. Spending the summer with her grandparents, Leia makes new friends and forges new bonds in Point Place, Wisconsin. That ’70s Show series regulars make cameos in the show to maintain that sense of familiarity, and the show adopts the conventions of the ’90s as expected. That ’90s Show first aired on Netflix with a total of ten episodes.
Serving as a sequel to the beloved sitcomThat ’70s ShowisThat ’90s Show. The Netflix series revolves around the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman (Callie Haverda).That ’90s Showdepicted the adventures of Leia and her friends during a summer spent with her grandparents, Kitty and Red, in the titular decade. Because it’s not always common in sequels of popular series,That ’90s Show’sability to effectively mix new storylines with familiar characters seen in its predecessoris impressive.
That ’90s Show’s cancelation was announced viaDeadlinein October 2024.
There was just enough nostalgia inThat ’90s Showto capture the attention ofThat ’70s Show’s fans while still carving out a path of its own, warranting the need to revisit familiar characters. The second season took the series in a different direction, prompting a decline in viewership and interest. As a result, any plans for a third season were ultimately scrapped.
My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane is a Prime Video original series created by Gemma Burgess. The story is a “what if” style story of English royal history where King Henry VIII’s son Edward, Lady Jane Grey, and her husband Guildford all survive their real-life deaths. In the retelling of history, Jane Grey takes center stage, becoming queen and immediately finding herself facing nefarious villains.
Amongthe best romance TV shows of 2024, Prime Video’sMy Lady Janewas canceled shortly after its season 1 premiere.The fantasy series reimagined the life of the famous titular figure. Taking place during the 16th century,My Lady Jane’s fictional world was driven by a conflict between the Ethians, humans who can transform into animals, and the Verities, regular humans.
My Lady Jane’s cancelation was announced viaDeadlinein August 2024.
The series was inspired by real-life events but altered the details in an imaginative and exciting way. Like many of the series that premiered and got canceled in 2024, there are a handful of storylines inMy Lady Janethat will never be addressed.
One of the more notable fans of the series is George R. R. Martin, the fantasy author behind theA Song of Ice and Fireseries.
Such a consequence of its cancelation led audiences that were once eager to dive into the series' fictional world, to be frustrated and upset at the idea of never being able to. One of the more notable fans of the series is George R. R. Martin, the fantasy author behind theA Song of Ice and Fireseries.
Pretty Little Liars
The dramatic slasher/horror mystery franchise returns with Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, created for HBO Max. Connecting to the original series, Original Sin follows a group of teen girls terrorized by a mysterious killer named “A.” Being held responsible for a terrible tragedy committed by their mothers over twenty years ago, the girls must uncover the truth of the incident to end the terror of Millwood, Pennsylvania - and to survive. Season 2 of the series was released in May 2024 and is subtitled Summer School.
Continuing the mystery established in the 2010 series of the same name, Max’sPretty Little Liarswas canceled after two seasons. Like its predecessor,Pretty Little Liarsfollowed a group of teen girls banding together to uncover the identity of an anonymous figure known as “A.” With the renewal of a second season,the formula ofPretty Little Liarsproved to be evergreen, as every additional season or spin-off could introduce a new threat or conflict for its group of teens to face.
Pretty Little Liars' cancelation was announced viaTheWrapin September 2024.
The cast and characters were welcomed by new fans and those of the original series, with many compliments being aimed towards Bailee Madison’s performance.Pretty Little Liarswas given praise by critics for its homage to the slasher genre and its ability to intertwine an exploration of serious themes with its thrilling, fun premise.
The Old Man
Premiering on FX in 2022, The Old Man is a Thriller and Drama series starring Jeff Bridges. The film sees Bridges playing Dan Chase, an ex-CIA operative and war veteran that kills an intruder that enters his home and then goes into hiding to avoid the law.
Led by Jeff Bridges,The Old Manis a thrilling drama series that sees the actor as a former CIA agent on the run from FBI and CIA agents. The series earned great critical acclaim following its first season with a critics score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Bridges. However,the second season took a different narrative approach, gaining a lower overall scorefrom critics and audiences.
The Old Man’s cancelation was announced viaDeadlinein December 2024.
The Old Manstill had a passionate following during season 2, but most audiences were losing interest in the series' new direction. A few months after the season 2 premiere, it was announced the FX series would be ending. Though specific details weren’t given about the series' cancelation, the years between each season and a premise that didn’t live up to the thrills of season 1 provide possible explanations.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
One of the newest series in theStar Warsfranchise,The Acolyteis set before the Skywalker sagaand sees the reveal of dark forces following a Padawan reuniting with their former Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes.The Acolyteboasted a handful of impressive performances and action sequences reminiscent of iconic action films.
Still,the series ended up being quite divisive and unpopular amongStar Warsfans, as depicted by the series' 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many complaints about the series revolved around its writing and dialogue.
The Acolyte’s cancelation was announced viaDeadlinein August 2024.
The expensive cost of keeping the show going wasn’t worth investing in, seeing the lackluster viewership numbers, andThe Acolytewas canceled after one season. Though the flaws and unenthusiastic responses from fans were difficult to ignore, the ambition and promising future ahead ofThe Acolytewill unfortunately never be fulfilled.
Girls5eva
Girls5Eva centers on a ’90s one-hit-wonder band that is given a second shot at fame when their song is sampled by a young rapper. The Peacock original series began in 2021 and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2021. The series stars real-life singer Sara Bareilles, Busy Phillips, Paula Pell, and Renée Elise Goldsberry.
After Peacock sought to endGirls5evaafter its second season, the musical comedy series was picked up by Netflix, where it would premiere its third and final season. The comedic TV series followed the unexpected return to the spotlight a ’90s girl group has when their song is sampled years later.
Members of the girl group are played by actors like Renée Elise Goldsberry and Busy Philipps, andGirls5evaconsistently garnered a positive response from critics and audiences.Girls5eva’s soundtrackwas catchy and fun, ensuring audiences, above all else, had a good time with the TV show.
Girls5eva’s cancelation was announced viaVarietyin December 2024.
However, the Netflix series wasn’t without its heartfelt moments as well.Girls5eva’s heartwarming scenes were relatable to audiences, earning genuine laughter and connection as the series' former girl group members attempt to balance their restored fame with their lives at home.
Sunny
Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, grapples with the mysterious disappearance of her husband and son in a plane crash. Given a domestic robot named Sunny by her husband’s company, Suzie initially resents Sunny but soon they form a unique bond. Together, they uncover the dark truth behind her family’s disappearance, becoming entangled in a dangerous and hidden world.
A promising sci-fi black comedy series by Apple TV+,Sunnywas canceled after just one season. The series, starring Rashida Jones, follows a woman living in Kyoto in the aftermath of her husband and son’s disappearance. With the help of a domesticated robot from her husband’s work, Jones' Suzie works to uncover the truth behind their mysterious disappearance.
25 Best TV Shows Of 2024, According To Our Experts
From Shogun to Baby Reindeer, these are Screenrant’s absolute best tv shows of 2024.
The direction and visuals throughout the series are eye-catching, and the world ofSunnyis easy to get lost in.Jones has starred in several movies and TV shows, mostly known for her comedic work, and is comfortable withinSunny’s mix of thrills and laughter, delivering one of her best performances.
Sunny’s cancelation was announced viaScreen Internationalin November 2024.
Throughout 10 episodes,critics and audiences were already captivated by the series' well-crafted concept and heartfelt moments. Unfortunately, the questions followingSunny’s season 1 endingwon’t be answered in what had the potential to be an even better follow-up season.
Dead Boy Detectives
Based on the DC series, Dead Boy Detectives is a supernatural comedy-mystery series created for Netflix. Two young men from different find one another in death but decide to skip the afterlife and remain among the living with a new purpose - to solve various supernatural mysteries the way only two deceased detectives can.
Based on the DC Comics characters of the same name, Netflix’sDead Boy Detectivesfollowed the adventures of its titular team, Charles (Jayden Revri) and Edwin (George Rexstrew), after they avoided the afterlife to investigate supernatural crimes. Themystery inDead Boy Detectivesis strong, the characters likable, and the visuals impressive.
Critically speaking,Dead Boy Detectivesearned high levels of praise for the aforementioned elements, as well as the series' smart writing and overall charm.
Within its first few weeks on Netflix, the TV show remained among the top 10 serieson the streaming service. Critically speaking,Dead Boy Detectivesearned high levels of praise for the aforementioned elements, as well as the series' smart writing and overall charm.
Dead Boy Detectives' cancelation was announced viaVarietyin August 2024.
However, the series was still canceled after its one season made up of eight episodes. The ending ofDead Boy Detectivesseason 1 is satisfactory on its own, but the show had the viewership and interest that warranted a second season with more adventures between Charles and Edwin.
