The Best YA Adaptations That Were Cancelled Too Soon

Young adult fiction has produced some of television's most passionate fanbases. But streaming platforms have been quick to cancel YA adaptations, often leaving beloved book series only partially adapted.

YA fiction is one of the richest sources for television adaptation — built-in audiences, passionate fanbases, and multi-book arcs that provide years of source material. Yet streaming platforms have been remarkably quick to cancel YA adaptations, often after just one or two seasons.

Here are the best YA adaptations that were cancelled far too soon.

  1. Teenage Bounty Hunters (Netflix, 2020) — Not based on a book, but pure YA energy. Fraternal twin sisters in Atlanta accidentally fall into bounty hunting while navigating Christian high school life. 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Cancelled two months after release. The cousin reveal in the finale was meant to launch a very different Season 2.
  2. Shadow and Bone (Netflix, 2021–2023) — Based on Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone was one of Netflix's most ambitious YA fantasy adaptations. Two seasons adapted multiple books from the series — but the show was cancelled on a cliffhanger that left the Crows' storyline unresolved. The books continue for hundreds of pages. The show will never catch up.
  3. Lockwood & Co. (Netflix, 2023) — Based on Jonathan Stroud's beloved book series, this supernatural detective drama set in a ghost-infested London was one of the best YA adaptations of the decade. Faithful to the source material, brilliantly cast, and visually stunning. Netflix cancelled it after one season — despite the books providing years of material.
  4. The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+, 2021–2022) — Based on Trenton Lee Stewart's award-winning book series, this charming, intelligent adaptation followed four gifted children recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict. Two seasons of smart, warm storytelling. Disney+ cancelled it and then removed it from the platform entirely.
  5. I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix, 2020) — Based on Charles Forsman's graphic novel, this coming-of-age superhero story starred Sophia Lillis as a teenager with telekinetic powers. One season. Critically acclaimed. Cancelled during production of Season 2 due to COVID. The graphic novel continues — the show never will.
  6. The Society (Netflix, 2019) — A group of teenagers must build a new civilisation when all the adults vanish. Renewed for Season 2, then cancelled due to COVID production complications. The script for the first episode of Season 2 had been written. We'll never see it.
  7. First Kill (Netflix, 2022) — A queer vampire-romance YA series about a vampire and a monster hunter who fall in love. Based on a short story by V.E. Schwab. One season. Cancelled while fans were still discovering it. The source material had room for more — the show never got the chance.
  8. American Born Chinese (Disney+, 2023) — Based on Gene Luen Yang's groundbreaking graphic novel, blending coming-of-age storytelling with Chinese mythology. Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu starred. Rave reviews. Cancelled after one season during Disney+'s content contraction.
  9. Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix, 2020) — A music-filled YA dramedy about a girl who starts a band with three ghost musicians from the 1990s. Charming, energetic, and genuinely moving. Cancelled by a single tweet from the Netflix account. The fan campaign continues to this day.
  10. Daybreak (Netflix, 2019) — A post-apocalyptic YA comedy about a high school outcast searching for his girlfriend in a wasteland of zombie-like "ghoulies." Cult hit. Cancelled within weeks of release. A wild, inventive show that never got a chance to find its audience.

Every one of these adaptations had source material that extended beyond where the show ended. Every cancellation left a book series only partially adapted — and fans only partially satisfied. Explore our library of fan-written endings for the shows that left too soon.