We’ve all got that one TV show we love that never got renewed. But there’s more waiting in the wings than you think, with fans heartbroken after the cancellation news. Here, we look at those elusive TV shows that deserve a second chance.
Revolution
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Revolution asks what would happen if all the electricity was cut off for unknown reasons. As brutal warlords take over civilization, a group of revolutionaries must fight back to save themselves and the oppressed communities. NBC canceled Revolution after two seasons, despite a fan petitioning to revive it.
Firefly
Joss Whedon’s Firefly only had one season, but that was enough for fans to fall in love with its unique blend of space opera and Western themes. Set 500 years in the future, the characters battle for survival against the unknown. With incredible storytelling and complex character development, it’s not difficult to see why it has such a large cult following.
Freaks and Geeks
Although it aired from 1999 to 2000, Freaks and Geeks was set in a 1980s high school. Offering a realistic look at the treatment outsiders received and how these misfits coped, it was praised for its comedic approach to teens’ everyday struggles. Despite being nominated for three Emmy awards, Freaks and Geeks was canceled after only 12 of the 18 filmed episodes had aired.
Pushing Daisies
An incredible mix of romance, fantasy, and mystery, Pushing Daisies was known for its detailed storytelling and distinctive visuals. It tells the story of Ned, who can revive dead people, and his decision to bring his childhood crush back to life. The first episode aired in 2007 but was canceled in 2009 after just two seasons.
Deadwood
HBO Western Deadwood was consistently praised for its deep character development and gritty portrayal of a lawless town where people come to make their fortune. But not everyone can cut it in this brutal historical drama. Deadwood ended abruptly in 2006, leaving many storylines unresolved.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Focusing on Sarah Connor, this sci-fi drama ignores the events of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and suggests that Sarah and her son John merely delayed the creation of the AI system Skynet. A strong narrative and compelling characters made it a favorite with movie fans, but dropping viewership figures saw it canceled after just two seasons.
My So-Called Life
The teen drama My So-Called Life aired in the 1990s and covered sensitive topics like identity and belonging with depth and empathy. Angela Chase (Claire Danes) is 15 years old and struggles with balancing her family, dating, and social life, resulting in many relatable situations for viewers. It was canceled after its first season despite critical acclaim.
Sense8
In Sense8, an unconnected group of strangers around the world are mentally linked, causing them to be pursued by hunters who have decided they are dangerous. A diverse cast and international filming made it appeal to a wide range of viewers, exploring complex themes of identity, sexuality, and gender. Netflix canceled it after two seasons, but fan complaints led to the creation of a two-and-a-half-hour series finale to resolve the cliffhanger at the end of season two.
Carnivàle
Set during the Great Depression, Carnivàle focuses on Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), a man with inexplicable healing powers. He meets Brother Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown), and they fight between good and evil. A dark and mysterious storyline left fans wanting more than the two seasons it got.
Penny Dreadful
Medium Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) recruits a diverse group of people to catch supernatural killers stalking London. Drawing on characters from Victorian Gothic fiction, Penny Dreadful adds them all to a single, complex narrative, creating an intriguing world that attracts a cult following. Sadly, it was not renewed after its third season.
Jericho
The post-apocalyptic drama Jericho focuses on an isolated small town after a mushroom cloud rises over nearby Denver, Colorado. The residents must try to find answers about what has happened and what comes next, building their sense of community at the same time. Jericho only had two seasons before being canceled.
Constantine
Named after the protagonist from DC Comics, Constantine presents a darker, grittier look at the superhero genre. Matt Ryan plays John Constantine, an exorcist hunting supernatural entities. Unfortunately, the show struggled to find its footing and was canceled after its first season.
Reaper
Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison) is surprised to discover on his 21st birthday that, on top of the normal problems of adulthood, his parents sold his soul to the devil before he was born. To fulfill the pact, he must hunt souls that have escaped the devil for the rest of his life. Funny and clever, viewers were disappointed that it only got two seasons.
Happy Endings
Six best friends living in Chicago are left unsure of how to go on after the couple that united them splits up. Deciding to stay friends, they face many more obstacles in this relationship sitcom. Despite being nominated for multiple awards, ABC canceled it after the third season.
Almost Human
Mixing the buddy cop genre with a sci-fi premise, Almost Human imagines a future where human police officers are paired with an android. Despite the intriguing setting and impressive special effects, it was canceled after its first season.
Dark Matter
The sci-fi show Dark Matter sees six people wake from stasis aboard a spaceship without remembering who they are or how they got there. The end of the pilot episode has them recall their past as some of the worst criminals in the galaxy, leaving them with a moral dilemma about how to continue with their lives.
Fringe
FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) is tasked with investigating unexplained phenomena and must work with mad scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson). Delving into science and the supernatural, Fringe quickly developed a cult following that lasted for the entirety of its five-season run.
Rome
Historical drama Rome looked at both the richest and poorest Romans to give a complete view of the end of the Republic. As a new Empire rises from the remnants of the Republic, soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) find themselves at the center of history. The show’s massive budget may have contributed to its cancellation after two seasons.
The OA
The OA is a science fiction mystery drama that attracted a passionate fan base of viewers intrigued by both the drama and philosophical questions posed. Using a unique narrative structure to tell the story of a woman who returns after being missing for seven years, it was canceled after two seasons.
Hannibal
Based on characters in Thomas Harris’ novels, Hannibal focuses on Dr. Hannibal Lector (Mads Mikkelsen) and Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). Although it gained a cult following and received praise for its complex characters and visual style, it failed to be renewed for a fourth season.
Mindhunter
The psychological crime thriller Mindhunter focuses on FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), who work with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) on a research project about the psychology of serial killers. Deep character development and critical acclaim couldn’t save it from being canceled after two seasons.
