Willow: Complete Story and Character Guide

A sequel series to the beloved 1988 fantasy film, picking up years later with a new generation of heroes — cancelled on a cliffhanger after one season.

Willow premiered on Disney+ on November 30, 2022, and ran for eight episodes. A sequel to Ron Howard's 1988 film, the series followed a new generation of heroes on a perilous quest, with Warwick Davis returning as the titular sorcerer.

The show was cancelled by Disney+ on March 16, 2023 — just months after its finale. It was then removed from the platform entirely as part of Disney's tax write-off strategy, a fate shared with other cancelled Disney+ originals like The Mysterious Benedict Society and Big Shot.

Full Season Recap

Years after the events of the original film, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) has become a powerful sorcerer. When a powerful evil threatens the land, a new group of heroes must embark on a dangerous quest — including Princess Kit (Ruby Cruz), her twin brother Airk (Dempsey Bryk), Kit's best friend Jade (Erin Kellyman), and the humble kitchen boy Thraxus Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel).

The series expands the world of the original film significantly, introducing new magical lore, complex character dynamics, and a host of new creatures. Elora Danan returns — now a teenager unaware of her true destiny. The quest takes the group through treacherous landscapes, ancient ruins, and confrontations with the mysterious Crone.

The finale ends on a major cliffhanger: the heroes face the Crone, but her defeat comes at a cost, with several characters in mortal danger and the realm still far from safe. A post-credits scene teases the return of a major villain — clearly setting up a Season 2 that would never come.

Character Guide

Willow Ufgood

Warwick Davis returns as the beloved Nelwyn sorcerer. Older, wiser, and more powerful — but still the same reluctant hero with a heart of gold. Willow serves as mentor to the new generation.

Princess Kit

The daughter of Madmartigan and Sorsha, Kit is a fierce warrior struggling with her royal destiny. Her relationship with her twin brother Airk and her best friend Jade forms the emotional core of the series.

Jade

A skilled swordfighter and Kit's best friend — with romantic tension that builds throughout the season. Jade is loyal, brave, and carries secrets about her own past.

Thraxus Boorman

A roguish adventurer with a mysterious connection to Madmartigan. Boorman is comic relief with hidden depths — a man who knows more than he lets on.

Why Was Willow Cancelled?

Disney+ cancelled the series as part of a broader content cost-cutting strategy under Bob Iger's returning leadership. The decision was reportedly financial — the show's elaborate fantasy production was expensive, and Disney+ was tightening its budget. The cancellation was paired with the removal of the series from the platform entirely, making it unavailable to watch on the service that produced it. As of mid-2024, the series is available for digital purchase but remains absent from streaming.

Every cancelled show deserves a proper ending. Explore our library of fan-written conclusions for more shows that left too soon.