TV fans lament best shows that got cancelled early: “Still bugs me”

6 September, 2024

Firefly

TV fans have been sharing their favourite shows that were cancelled before they had the chance to finish their narrative arcs.

The conversation, which was prompted by Reddit user Vedansh1997, began with a reflection on the psychological thriller Mindhunter, which launched on Netflix in 2017 and ran for two seasons but was never renewed past that point.

The show, which followed the founding of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit and the dawn of criminal profiling in the US, starred Jonathan Groff and Anna Torv and was produced by David Fincher and Charlize Theron.

The show received strong critical acclaim, but after its second season aired in 2019, Netflix announced that a third season was on hold, with Fincher said to be focusing on other projects. Last year, it was confirmed it would not be returning.

“I watched it and I really was mesmerized by this series because it’s dark and all those serial killers, everything was good about this series,” wrote Vedansh1997.

The post triggered a lot of responses from fans of other shows that users felt were left unfulfilled, including Firefly, which was described as “a default answer I know, but still bugs me”.

Joss Whedon’s space western ran for only one season in 2002, and was cancelled by Fox before its run had concluded. Nevertheless, it became a cult favourite and later spawned the spinoff film Serenity in 2005.

One popular choice was Carnivàle, a show described as “absolutely wild”, but which one user noted had an audience size that “couldn’t justify the budget. And it had just reached its craziest point and then it’s just over.”

Another Reddit user added: “Unique-ish setting, great characters, fascinating story, and a genuine plan that I would’ve loved to see play out.”

Daniel Knauf’s dark fantasy was set in the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression and followed a travelling carnival and aired for two seasons on HBO in 2003 and 2005, winning five Emmys before being dropped.

Other shows mentioned included Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which ran for two seasons on Fox from 2008-09, and Stargate Universe, which ran for the same period from 2009-11.

Another popular choice was the comedy horror Santa Clarita Diet, which starred Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant and ran for three seasons on Netflix from 2017-19 before being cancelled. Creator Victor Fresco later shared details of what he had wanted to do with the plot of the fourth season.

“Santa Clarita Diet not only got cancelled on a cliffhanger but when it was getting really good too,” one user noted.

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