20 Shows That Deserved Another Season

Television cancellations are at an all-time high. Here are twenty shows that deserved at least one more season to tell their stories.

Every year, more shows are cancelled than renewed. Streaming platforms tighten budgets, corporate mergers reshape priorities, and beloved series get the axe at an alarming rate.

Here are twenty shows that deserved another season.

According to Variety, the number of scripted series cancelled after one or two seasons has risen sharply over the past five years. As streaming services pivot toward profitability, their willingness to give shows time to find an audience has all but disappeared. A show that doesn't break out immediately is now at serious risk — regardless of critical reception or fan enthusiasm. The twenty shows on this list are all victims of that new reality, each one cut down before it had the chance to become what it could have been.

1. Kaos (Netflix, 1 season) — Jeff Goldblum's Greek mythology reimagining was cancelled two months after release. Darkly comic, visually stunning, and genuinely original. According to ScreenRant, the series drew strong reviews for its inventive take on ancient myths, but Netflix's algorithm-driven renewal process didn't give it time to find its audience.
2. Evil (Paramount+, 4 seasons) — Given a proper conclusion, but still a loss. One of TV's best supernatural dramas, with a final season scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show's passionate fanbase fought hard for each renewal, and its cancellation — even with a planned ending — left many wanting more of the Leland, Kristen, and David dynamic.
3. The Brothers Sun (Netflix, 1 season) — Michelle Yeoh led this action-comedy-drama about a Taiwanese triad family. The series earned a Golden Globe nomination for Yeoh and strong critical reviews. According to Deadline, Netflix cancelled the show despite its award-season buzz and dedicated viewership, making it one of the most painful cancellations of 2024.
4. Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix, 1 season) — A spin-off of The Sandman universe. Charming, spooky, and well-reviewed. Cancelled within weeks.
5. Constellation (Apple TV+, 1 season) — Noomi Rapace starred in this cerebral sci-fi thriller. Ambitious, unsettling, and cancelled on a major cliffhanger. According to TV Guide, the series was praised for its tense atmosphere and Rapace's committed performance, but Apple's increasingly cost-conscious approach meant the show needed to be a breakout hit to survive.
6. The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+, 2 seasons) — Chris O'Dowd led this warm, quirky comedy-drama about a mysterious machine revealing life potential. Cancelled right as it was hitting its stride.
7. Our Flag Means Death (Max, 2 seasons) — Taika Waititi's pirate comedy was a cult phenomenon. Cancelled after two seasons despite passionate fan campaigns.
8. Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+, 2 seasons) — A brilliant musical comedy parodying Broadway eras. Two perfect seasons. Cancelled before a third could complete the trilogy.
9. Minx (Max/Starz, 2 seasons) — A comedy about a 1970s erotic magazine for women. Cancelled by Max, saved by Starz, then cancelled again by Starz. A double cancellation.
10. Julia (Max, 2 seasons) — A warm, beautifully made drama about Julia Child. Cancelled as part of Max's content restructuring.
11. The Afterparty (Apple TV+, 2 seasons) — A murder mystery comedy where each episode was a different film genre. Brilliant concept, perfectly executed. Cancelled.
12. The Great (Hulu, 3 seasons) — Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult's historical satire ended after three seasons. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series was nominated for multiple Emmys and had a passionate following, but Hulu opted not to renew. The final season's ending — while satisfying — was never meant to be the end of Catherine's story.
13. Lucky Hank (AMC, 1 season) — Bob Odenkirk starred in this drama about a disgruntled college professor. Cancelled after one season despite strong reviews.
14. Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount+, 1 season) — A prequel series that was genuinely excellent. According to Variety, Paramount+ removed the show from its platform entirely for tax purposes after cancelling it — meaning new viewers can't even discover it after the fact. The show is effectively lost media.
15. Fatal Attraction (Paramount+, 1 season) — A thoughtful, nuanced reimagining of the film. Cancelled despite solid reviews.
16. City on Fire (Apple TV+, 1 season) — A mystery drama set in 2003 New York City. Complex characters, layered storytelling. Cancelled after one season.
17. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (Amazon Prime, 1 season) — Sigourney Weaver starred in this beautiful Australian drama. A complete story, but one that could have continued.
18. Class of '09 (Hulu, 1 season) — A time-hopping FBI drama that couldn't find its audience. Creative and ambitious.
19. Saint X (Hulu, 1 season) — A psychological drama exploring grief and class. Well-acted, beautifully shot. Cancelled.
20. The Curse (Showtime, 1 season) — Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone's brilliantly uncomfortable satire. A complete story, but one that left audiences wanting more.

What unites these 20 shows is not just cancellation — it's the sense of potential cut short. Each had a creative team with a vision for where the story was heading, worlds that were still expanding, and characters whose arcs were far from complete. In the streaming era, where content is abundant but commitment is scarce, shows are judged not on their storytelling merit but on metrics that favour instant breakout hits over slow-burn masterpieces. These 20 shows are evidence of a system that prioritises efficiency over art. They are also proof that the most interesting television often comes from shows that never got to finish what they started — incomplete works that haunt us precisely because of what they might have become.

Every show on this list was cut down before its time. In a better world, they would have gotten the seasons they deserved. Browse our fan-written conclusions for the ones that need closure most.