There’s nothing worse than becoming attached to a great TV show only for it to be pulled at the eleventh hour. For reasons beyond our comprehension, we just have to lump it all together, and it can be a painful loss to bear. From Mindhunter to Twin Peaks, let’s look at some of the best shows that were cruelly taken from us.
Mindhunter
What happened? Just as we entered the psyches of some of the most notorious serial killers of the late 1970s, they went and stole it from us. They can do so much more with the show, so we’ll remain hopeful.
Dollhouse
Joss Whedon’s thought-provoking series about a secret organization that programs people with different personalities for various assignments had a devoted fan base but was canceled after two seasons.
Deadwood
The cast and viewers were shocked when it was abruptly pulled into a show that looked like it was set to be a long-runner. It outlined a corrupt town with vibrant characters and quickly achieved cult status.
Party Down
You might not have heard of it, but this cult comedy about a group of struggling actors working for a catering company was praised for its sharp writing and hilarious ensemble cast. Sadly, it couldn’t attract enough viewers to continue.
Travelers
Unlike many tired time-traveling plots, Travelers gave us a somewhat convincing look at journeying back in time to prevent disasters. Three seasons compelled us before it was pulled for unknown reasons.
Forever
Starring Ioan Gruffudd, this supernatural crime drama about an immortal medical examiner solving mysteries alongside his mortal partner had an intriguing premise and strong performances but was axed after just one season.
Wonderfalls
Quirky and whimsical with hijinks aplenty, this offbeat comedy-drama about a young woman who receives cryptic messages from inanimate objects was a critical masterpiece. Still, it failed to find a large enough audience. The entire cast was fantastic, but it was a painful departure.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
It would never be on par with the original movie, but this action-packed sci-fi series neatly expanded upon the Terminator universe with compelling characters and intricate storytelling. Despite the pleasurable sprinkling of quick-witted humor, it struggled to maintain a consistent audience.
Constantine
DC Comic fans were in tears when Constantine was canceled after just one short season. The show followed a demon hunter with a dark past and ticked all the right boxes—that was before we had to let it go.
My So-Called Life
It was the show that gave teenagers a voice and stood out from the usual vacuous adolescent dramas. Angela Chase’s journey through the trials and tribulations of high school starred the impeccable Claire Danes but was cut short after just one season, leaving fans mourning the loss of this poignant teen drama.
Jericho
Despite its grim subject matter featuring a post-apocalyptic Kansas, fans were so in awe of the show that they convinced CBS to bring it back. It looked hopeful, but poor ratings cruelly stole it away, leaving us with too many looming questions.
Twin Peaks
It was voted one of the best shows ever and gathered a devoted cult following. David Lynch’s surreal mystery series captivated us with its bizarre characters and twisting plotlines, but its second season saw a decline in viewership, leading to its cancellation. It’s one of those shows that you can never forget where you were when you saw it.
Better Off Ted
This workplace satire about a morally questionable corporation had fantastically clever humor but couldn’t secure high enough ratings to survive the past two seasons. Modern viewers loved its critique of corporate greed and institutional prejudice.
The Middleman
Based on the comic books of the same name, this quirky comedy about a young artist who becomes a superhero’s assistant to pay the bills had a loyal fan base and witty writing but was canceled after one season due to low ratings. The humor was fantastic, and there was so much room for further episodes.
Pushing Daisies
It was the sweetest show about a man with mystical abilities who brought his childhood sweetheart back from the dead. With a whimsical style and quirky premise, it was a delight for the senses, but it was prematurely canceled, leaving viewers confused about unanswered plot holes.
Veronica Mars
Comedy favorite Kristen Bell’s titular character was a smart and sassy teenage detective solving crimes in her small town, and mystery fans thought it was a stayer. Sadly, the show’s cancellation left fans hanging after just three seasons.
Freaks and Geeks
This coming-of-age drama-comedy from Judd Apatow launched the careers of several A-list actors, including James Franco and Seth Rogan. It gained popularity after perfectly capturing the awkwardness of adolescence, but sadly, it only lasted one season.
Dead Like Me
It was such a great premise about a young girl who became the Grim Reaper and had the job of gathering the newly dead to joyfully send off to the afterlife. The show was widely celebrated, but low ratings saw it go off. We watched it, and so did plenty of others.
