10 TV Shows That Found a Second Life on Netflix After Cancellation

Netflix has a reputation for cancelling shows — but it also has a history of saving them. When a show is cancelled on its original network, Netflix has frequently stepped in to give it a second chance.

For every show Netflix cancels after one season, there's another that Netflix rescued from cancellation elsewhere. The streaming giant has become the most prolific "saviour" of cancelled shows in television history — often because the data shows that cancelled network shows thrive on a streaming platform.

Here are ten shows that were cancelled on their original networks — and found a second life on Netflix.

The economics of a Netflix rescue are straightforward. A show that failed on network television often failed because it couldn't hold a weekly appointment audience. On Netflix, where viewers binge on their own schedule, the same show can find a massive new audience. According to Variety, Netflix's data-driven approach means it can see exactly how many new subscribers a rescued show brings in — making the decision to save a series less about sentiment and more about math. For the right show, that math works out beautifully, turning a cancelled network series into a global streaming phenomenon.

1. Lucifer (Fox, 2016–2018 → Netflix, 2019–2021) — The most famous Netflix save. Fox cancelled Lucifer after three seasons. #SaveLucifer trended #1 on Twitter worldwide. Within a month, Netflix picked it up for a fourth season. The show ran for three more seasons on Netflix, concluding properly in 2021. According to TVLine, the Netflix revival outperformed the Fox run in both viewership and critical reception, proving that sometimes a show just needs the right platform.
2. Manifest (NBC, 2018–2021 → Netflix, 2023) — NBC cancelled Manifest after three seasons on a massive cliffhanger. The first two seasons had recently hit Netflix and become the most-watched show on the platform, with 25 million accounts watching in 28 days. According to Deadline, the fan campaign for Manifest was one of the most intense in recent memory — including a #SaveManifest campaign that generated billions of social media impressions. After months of fan campaigns, Netflix ordered a 20-episode fourth and final season.
3. You (Lifetime, 2018 → Netflix, 2019–present) — Premiered on Lifetime with modest ratings but strong word-of-mouth. Netflix acquired the series for its second season, and it became a global phenomenon. Now one of Netflix's most-watched original series, with multiple seasons and a dedicated fanbase.
4. Cobra Kai (YouTube Premium, 2018–2020 → Netflix, 2020–2025) — The Karate Kid sequel series debuted on YouTube's premium service. When YouTube stopped funding original content, Netflix saved it. The show became one of Netflix's most-watched series, running for six seasons and earning critical acclaim.
5. The Expanse (Syfy, 2015–2018 → Amazon, 2019–2022) — Technically saved by Amazon, not Netflix, but the fan campaign was so significant that it belongs on any list. Syfy cancelled it after three seasons. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a massive fan campaign — #SaveTheExpanse — included a banner flown over Amazon Studios. Jeff Bezos personally intervened. Amazon produced three more seasons, allowing the story to reach its planned conclusion.
6. Arrested Development (Fox, 2003–2006 → Netflix, 2013–2019) — One of the most acclaimed comedies of the 2000s, cancelled by Fox after three seasons. Netflix revived it seven years later for a fourth season, then a fifth. While the revival was polarising, it proved that Netflix could resurrect even the most unlikely shows.
7. Designated Survivor (ABC, 2016–2017 → Netflix, 2018–2019) — ABC cancelled this political thriller after two seasons. Netflix picked it up for a third and final season, giving the show a proper ending. The Netflix season was shorter (10 episodes vs 22) but provided closure ABC never would have.
8. Black Lightning (Fox → Netflix, 2019) — The show was developed for Fox, then moved to Netflix before production, making it a unique case of a show being "saved" before it even aired.
9. Longmire (A&E, 2012–2014 → Netflix, 2015–2017) — A&E cancelled this modern Western crime drama after three seasons. Netflix revived it for three more seasons, allowing the story to reach its planned conclusion. The show was one of Netflix's earliest and most successful rescues.
10. The Killing (AMC, 2011–2012 → Netflix, 2013–2014) — AMC cancelled The Killing after two seasons due to low ratings. Netflix partnered with AMC to produce a third season. When AMC cancelled it again, Netflix commissioned a fourth and final season — one of the first examples of a streaming service saving a cancelled network show.

The trend of Netflix rescuing cancelled shows has created a new dynamic in the television industry. Networks are now more willing to cancel shows early, knowing that streaming platforms may pick them up. But this dynamic cuts both ways: as streaming services become more selective about which shows they rescue, the safety net is shrinking. For every Lucifer that finds a second home, there are multiple shows like Archive 81 that generate passionate fan campaigns but never attract a new buyer. The lesson for creators is sobering: build an audience fast, or your show may never get a second chance. The economics of rescue are also shifting — what was once a relatively inexpensive proposition (licensing a proven show with a built-in audience) has become more complex as streaming services focus on owning their intellectual property rather than renting it from other studios.

For every show saved, dozens more never get a second chance. That's why every cancelled show deserves a proper ending — whether the network provides it or the fans do. Explore our library of fan-written conclusions.