Most Anticipated New Shows That Never Got a Season 2

These shows debuted with massive buzz, critical acclaim, and passionate audiences. They were supposed to be the next big thing. Instead, they were cancelled after one season.

Every year, streaming platforms premiere dozens of new series. Some become cultural phenomena. Others — despite strong buzz, positive reviews, and passionate audiences — are cancelled after just one season.

  1. The OA (Netflix, 2016) — The most anticipated show on this list. Brit Marling's ambitious, philosophical sci-fi series debuted to strong reviews and a passionate fanbase. It was promoted heavily by Netflix. Two seasons were produced. A five-season plan was mapped. Cancelled anyway. The fan campaign — Times Square billboard, hunger strike, global trending — couldn't save it.
  2. Archive 81 (Netflix, 2022) — 128 million hours watched. A 10-episode season that left viewers desperate for more. The show was heavily promoted by Netflix and appeared in their Top 10 for weeks. Cancelled two months after release. The gap between audience demand and the cancellation decision remains baffling.
  3. 1899 (Netflix, 2022) — From the creators of Dark, one of Netflix's most acclaimed international series. The trailer broke Netflix records. The anticipation was enormous. The show premiered to strong numbers — and was cancelled within weeks. The creators' three-season plan will never be realised.
  4. Teenage Bounty Hunters (Netflix, 2020) — An original concept, a brilliant cast, and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show was included on multiple "Best of 2020" lists. Netflix cancelled it less than two months after release — before most audiences had even discovered it.
  5. Kaos (Netflix, 2024) — Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. A brilliant, darkly comedic reimagining of Greek mythology. The show was heavily promoted, critically praised, and cancelled within two months of its premiere.
  6. Lockwood & Co. (Netflix, 2023) — Based on a beloved book series, this supernatural detective drama was one of the most anticipated YA adaptations of the year. Critically praised. Visually stunning. Cancelled after one season — over a year's worth of source material left unadapted.
  7. Raised by Wolves (HBO Max, 2020) — Ridley Scott's direct-to-series sci-fi epic was one of the most anticipated shows of 2020. Two seasons of increasingly ambitious storytelling. Cancelled during the Max purge.
  8. The Midnight Club (Netflix, 2022) — Mike Flanagan's horror series was one of the most anticipated releases of 2022. A passionate fanbase, strong reviews, and a planned second season. Netflix cancelled it despite Flanagan's track record.
  9. The Society (Netflix, 2019) — A pilot that drew comparisons to Lord of the Flies and The 100. The show was a hit for Netflix, drawing millions of viewers. Renewed for Season 2. Then cancelled due to COVID production complications.
  10. Cowboy Bebop (Netflix, 2021) — One of the most anticipated adaptations in Netflix history. A beloved anime franchise, a star-studded cast, and a massive marketing campaign. The show premiered — and was cancelled within weeks. A spectacular failure, but a failure that millions of people were waiting to see.

Every show on this list debuted with enormous promise. Every one of them deserved the chance to grow. That's why we write the endings they deserved. Explore our library of fan-written conclusions.