10 Highly Anticipated TV Shows That Faced Pre-Debut Backlash

Article Overview

Some TV shows face backlash before they even premiere, with reasons varying from genuine concerns to non-acceptance of others' beliefs.

Controversial issues surrounding TV shows include religious groups opposing

Lucifer

, critics of casting choices in

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

, and negative reactions to changes in the live-action adaptation of

One Piece

Netflix's

Insatiable

faced controversy for its fat-shaming and stereotype concepts, while

And Just Like That...

received ageist and misogynistic criticisms.

TV shows often face backlash for various reasons, such as casting choices, complex storylines, unexpected character departures, or other factors, even before they are released. While some controversies are justified, others receive passionate criticism without any basis, especially if the show has not premiered yet. Series can easily spark division and controversy, with different groups having their own reasons, logic, and doubts.

Controversies surrounding a show can arise from genuine concern or from the refusal to accept others' perspectives and beliefs. For example, Lucifer faced continuous criticism from certain groups, and Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece has been scrutinized by devoted fans of the original manga. However, the backlash may not always be justified once the actual show finally airs.

10. Lucifer

Lucifer Caused Controversy With Religious Groups

The development of the TV show Lucifer by Fox in 2015 quickly stirred up a a backlash from religious groups. One Million Moms initiated a petition to stop the show, which garnered the support of many concerned mothers. The main issue that the religious organization had with the show was its portrayal of Satan as a compassionate and relatable character in human form. Despite facing cancellation twice during its run, Lucifer successfully aired for six seasons, and even incorporated a joke in the second season that alluded to the real-life controversy surrounding the show.

9. The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power

Rings Of Power Received Backlash Over Casting

Prime Video's highly anticipated release of the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the critically acclaimed prequel show to Peter Jackson's trilogy, is making waves in the industry. However, even a production of this magnitude couldn't escape the scrutiny of J.R.R. Tolkien's devoted fans, who expressed their concerns about the casting choices in The Rings of Power. Unfortunately, actress Sophia Nomvete, who portrays Durin IV's wife Disa, faced racially motivated attacks. Similarly, actor Ismael Cruz Córdova, who plays elf Arondir on the show, was prepared for the racist backlash right from the start.

8. One Piece

One Piece Received Backlash For Its Live-Action Changes

After a series of unsuccessful attempts at adapting anime into live-action films, such as Death Note and Cowboy Bebop, Netflix's interpretation of One Piece brought a refreshing change when it finally premiered. However, during its development phase, the reception was not as positive. When the initial promotional pictures showcasing the cast in their respective roles were released, there was an overwhelming amount of criticism from anime and manga fans, particularly concerning Luffy's choice of footwear. In response to this backlash, Emily Rudd, the actress portraying Nami in the live-action adaptation, took to her Instagram stories (via X) to clarify that Iñaki Godoy's portrayal of Luffy wore shoes instead of sandals due to safety precautions.

7. Insatiable

Netflix Show Caused Backlash For Fat-Shaming & Stereotype Concepts

Netflix's Insatiable faced controversy throughout its run due to its core concept centered around fat-shaming and insulting stereotypes. The character of Patty, portrayed by Debby Ryan, initially suffered from weight-related bullying. After undergoing a shocking transformation, she sought revenge against those who mistreated her. This central idea, showcased in the trailer, received swift criticism from both viewers and critics. Despite managing to complete two seasons, Netflix eventually opted to cancel Insatiable, leaving many questioning how the show received approval for a second season.

6. And Just Like That...

SATC Reboot Received Ageist & Misogynistic Criticisms

Scandals of various kinds continue to emerge wherever the revival series of Sex and the City, titled Max's And Just Like That..., is being discussed. Among the numerous controversies surrounding the show, the sexual assault allegations against Chris Noth and the Peloton ad disputes have gained considerable attention. However, even before the series was released, concerns were raised among viewers regarding the actresses' ages. The misogynistic and ageist criticisms escalated to a critical level, prompting Sarah Jessica Parker to finally address the issue in her interview with Vogue prior to the premiere.

5. The Charmed Reboot

Charmed Reboot's Marketing Insulted The Original Cast & Crew

The CW's Charmed reboot faced criticism from viewers, critics, and surprisingly, the original show's stars. When the series was announced, its marketing positioned it as "a fierce, funny, feminist reboot" of the original. This phrasing struck a nerve with Holly Marie Combs, who portrayed Piper in The WB's show. She first shared her concerns in an X post. Subsequently, Shannen Doherty, Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, and even the writers of the original show joined the conversation, sparking a long-lasting battle that persisted until the controversial finale of the reboot's fourth season.

4. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Netflix's Show Was Accused Of Giving Dahmer's Crimes Too Much Attention

3. Gracepoint

The popularity of Jeffrey Dahmer content has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, with Netflix's Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story playing a significant role in this phenomenon. This semi-documentary series initially faced criticism, a common response to true crime shows like Dahmer, as viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the excessive focus on these heinous crimes. Moreover, Monster attracted further controversy when Netflix initially categorized it as "LGBTQ," although this label was promptly removed. Additionally, it came to light that the victims' families were never consulted before the retelling of this notorious story, leading them to condemn the series vocally and vehemently.

Gracepoint's Scenes Were Criticized For Identically Repeating Broadchurch's Scenes

Any attempt to remake a successful show comes with inherent risks, as demonstrated by the American adaptation of Broadchurch, Gracepoint, which failed to live up to its predecessor. From the moment the trailer was released, audiences immediately voiced their disappointment over the excessive similarities between the American version and the original British series (via Metro). Additionally, despite the talent of Anna Gunn, renowned for her standout performance in Breaking Bad, viewers had already developed a fondness for Olivia Colman's portrayal of Ellie Miller, leading them to criticize Gunn's replacement even before witnessing her acting abilities in Gracepoint.

2. That '90s Show

An Original Cast Member Faced Criminal Charges & The Revival Received Skeptical Backlash

Netflix's That '90s Show debuted during a time when actor Danny Masterson, known for his role as Hyde in That '70s Show, was embroiled in a rape trial. Speculation surrounding his character's future was tense leading up to the premiere. While the confirmation of That '90s Show season 2 is encouraging, the revival faced the familiar pre-release criticism that many reboots encounter—the doubt that it could ever match the original. Furthermore, the involvement of Wilmer Valderrama, who played Fez, and his past relationship with Demi Lovato, despite their significant age difference, further amplified the negative sentiment (via What's Trending).

1. Gotham Knights

CW Show Received Backlash For Creative & Character Choices

Gotham Knights initially brought hope to the heartbroken viewers of the Arrowverse, but it turned into their worst nightmare. Upon the release of its first trailer, this CW show faced severe backlash online due to its questionable creative decisions and unimpressive main characters. The criticism became so intense that the creators of the Gotham Knights game, premiered in 2022, clarified that there was no connection between the two projects in a post online.

Sources: X, Vogue, X, Metro, What's Trending, X

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have strong opinions and feelings towards the backlash that TV shows face before their debut. It's disheartening to see shows facing criticism even before they have a chance to prove their worth. In the case of Lucifer, the religious backlash was particularly intense, with groups like One Million Moms trying to prevent its release. While I understand that religious beliefs are important to many people, I believe that it's unfair to judge a show based solely on its portrayal of religious figures. The show's creators should have the freedom to explore different themes and characters without fear of censorship.

The controversy surrounding The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is another example of how fan expectations can sometimes be unrealistic. While it's important for adaptations to stay true to the source material, it's also important for creators to have some creative freedom. The casting choices in particular have been a source of contention, with some fans expressing racist sentiments towards actors like Sophia Nomvete and Ismael Cruz Córdova. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in the fandom. It's important to remember that actors are not their characters, and they should be treated with respect.