Shocking TV Shows That Were Unexpectedly Axed Even After Being Renewed: From ‘A League of Their Own’ to ‘Minx’
TV shows like 'A League of Their Own' and 'Minx' faced the unfortunate reversal of their renewal orders for various reasons Explore this intriguing list of canceled shows that were initially set to continue, leaving fans in disbelief
The Society is one of several shows that initially received a renewal, only to have that decision reversed. Initially debuting on Netflix in May 2019 to great reviews, the teen mystery drama faced delays due to COVID-19, leading the streaming service to retract its plans for a second season of the popular series.
In August 2020, Netflix announced their decision to not proceed with second seasons of The Society and I Am Not Okay With This. The streaming platform expressed their disappointment in having to make this choice due to circumstances caused by COVID.
Earlier in the year, actress Kathryn Newton gave fans a glimpse of what they could anticipate in season 2. In an exclusive interview with We in January 2020, she hinted at the direction of the story without giving away specifics. Newton expressed her own surprise, stating that even she wasn't prepared for what was to come. She also shared her admiration for her character, Allie, who held a significant role in this society and the weight that came with it.
In the TV world, A League of Their Own gained popularity among fans when it premiered on Prime Video in August 2022. Despite being initially renewed for a final season of four episodes in March 2023, the decision was overturned by Prime Video due to setbacks caused by the concurrent WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Star Abbi Jacobson took to Instagram in August 2023, expressing frustration over the show's cancellation. Instead of dwelling on the various challenges the show has faced, she chose not to discuss it at length in that particular post.
Scroll down for more shows that were canceled after already receiving a renewal:
Credit: Nicola Goode/Prime Video; Courtesy of Netflix (3)
TV Shows That Were Canceled After Already Receiving a Renewal: From 'A League of Their Own' to 'Minx'
The Society, one of several shows that were renewed, faced a reversal of decision. This teen mystery drama originally premiered on Netflix in May 2019 and was highly praised. However, due to COVID-19-related delays, the streaming service revoked their plans to produce a second season of the popular series.
Netflix announced in August 2020 that they have made the difficult decision to cancel the second seasons of The Society and I Am Not Okay With This, citing the circumstances created by COVID as the reason. Earlier in the year, star Kathryn Newton gave fans a taste of what to expect in season 2, hinting at the direction of the story and expressing her own excitement and love for her character, Allie.
In other parts of the TV universe, the show A League of Their Own quickly gained popularity among fans after it premiered on Prime Video in August 2022. Although it was originally renewed for a final season consisting of four episodes in March 2023, Prime Video later reversed their decision due to delays caused by the strikes of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
In August 2023, Abbi Jacobson, the star of the show, expressed her thoughts on the cancellation via an Instagram post: "To attribute this cancellation solely to the strike is both false and cowardly. However, today's post is not about that. It is not about all the difficulties this show has faced. Not today."
Scroll down for more shows that were canceled after already receiving a renewal:
Credit: Freeform
'While You Were Breeding'
The Freeform series was canceled in September 2023 — after 10 episodes were already filmed for the first season.
Credit: Julia Terjung/Peacock
'Bumper in Berlin'
In September 2023, Peacock walked back its season 2 renewal of Bumper in Berlin because of scheduling issues as a result of the WGA and SAG strikes.
Credit: George Burns/AMC
'61st Street'
The initial pickup of the AMC series in October 2019 resulted in a two-season order. However, despite having filmed episodes for both seasons, the network made the decision in January 2023 not to air the new content. As a result, The CW stepped in and picked up Season 2 of 61st Street, which is set to air in 2024.
Credit: Gabriel Delerme/Netflix
'#BlackAF'
In June 2020, #BlackAF was renewed for a second season by Netflix, only to be canceled precisely a year later. The streaming service did not disclose the rationale behind the discontinuation of Kenya Barris' comedic series.
Credit: YouTube
'The Brink'
HBO initially renewed The Brink for a second season in July 2015, however, the network later reversed their decision three months later. In a statement, HBO explained that the series couldn't receive the "the attention it deserves," ultimately leading to its cancellation.
Credit: Starz Entertainment
'Dangerous Liaisons'
Starz renewed Dangerous Liaisons days before the series premiere in November 2022. Following low ratings, the series had its renewal rescinded one month later.
Credit: Comedy Central/YouTube
'Drunk History'
Season 7 of Drunk History was pulled by Comedy Central in August 2020 after production was ultimately shut down due to COVID.
Credit: YouTube
'Farscape'
In 2002, Farscape was renewed for seasons 4 and 5 on Syfy. A decline in ratings, however, turned the season 4 finale into the show's official ending.
Credit: Erica Parise/Netflix
'Glow'
Netflix ordered season 4 of Glow, which hit a snag when production was halted due to COVID. In 2020, the streaming service officially took back their renewal.
Credit: VH1/YouTube
'Hindsight'
VH1 initially renewed Hindsight for a second season in March 2015 but ultimately reversed their decision five months later. Citing an "overcrowded and rapidly changing climate," VH1 released a statement explaining the cancellation.
Credit: Scott Everett White/HBO
'I'm Sorry'
In 2019, the series was renewed for a third season by truTV. However, due to production complications caused by COVID, the decision was reversed in August 2020, despite all episodes already being written.
Credit: Courtesy of NETFLIX
'Inside Job'
Netflix picked up Inside Job for a second season in June 2022 before walking back the decision less than a year later.
Credit: Nicola Goode/Prime Video
'A League of Their Own'
The streaming service initially greenlit a second season of the Prime Video series in April 2023 with a condensed four-episode order to conclude ongoing storylines. However, in August 2023, amidst the strikes by WGA and SAG-AFTRA, the decision was made by the streaming platform to terminate the series instead.
Credit: Cover Images/Instar
'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'
Low ratings caused ABC to pull their season 5 renewal for Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in 1997.
Credit: YouTube
'Love Is_'
OWN initially renewed the series for a second season in July 2018, but later reversed the decision due to allegations of abuse against executive producer Salim Akil. A woman, who claimed to have had a 10-year affair with Akil, filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement, alleging that he had used her screenplay as inspiration for the show. In response, Akil's attorneys released a statement vehemently denying all the allegations.
Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment/Instagram
'Luck'
Luck, which was renewed for a second season in January 2012, was ultimately canceled due to concerns raised by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and other animal activist groups regarding the safety of the animals on set. (During the first season of the HBO show, three horses had to be euthanized.)
Credit: STARZ/YouTube
'Minx'
Max initially renewed Minx for a second season in May 2022, but later decided to reverse their decision by the end of the year. Consequently, Starz stepped in and picked up the series, with its second season set to premiere in July 2023.
Credit: Szymon Lazewski/AMC+
'Moonhaven'
Moonhaven was renewed in July 2022 but the AMC series pulled the plug later that year amid cost-cutting efforts.
Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment/YouTube
'On Becoming a God in Central Florida'
The Showtime series, despite being renewed in September 2019, never proceeded to film a second season. On Becoming a God in Central Florida encountered a hiatus due to COVID-19, which ultimately led to its permanent cancellation in October 2020.
Credit: Titmouse Inc/AMC+
'Pantheon'
The animated series was one among many projects whose season orders were revoked by AMC due to a tax write-down. In 2020, Season 2 was commissioned, but Pantheon was eventually cancelled three years later.
Credit: TBS/YouTube
'People of Earth'
The third season of the comedy series was renewed at TBS in September 2017. Unfortunately, less than a year later, series creator David Jenkins confirmed that People of Earth would not be returning for new episodes.
Credit: Amazon Studios
'The Peripheral'
Prime Video pulled their season 2 renewal in August 2023 amid the joint WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. (The Peripheral originally got renewed for more episodes earlier that year.)
Credit: MGM+/YouTube
'Perpetual Grace'
Epix originally extended Perpetual Grace for additional episodes in January 2020, though they specified that it wouldn't constitute a complete season. However, the co-creator of the series, Steven Conrad, publicly declined the offer, resulting in the show's ultimate discontinuation.
Credit: YouTube
'Roseanne'
In March 2018, the Roseanne revival was renewed for its eleventh season. However, due to the offscreen controversy involving star Roseanne Barr in May 2018, ABC decided to revoke the renewal. As a result, the show underwent a transformation and was reintroduced as The Conners, featuring the entire cast except for Barr.
Credit: TNT/YouTube
'Snowpiercer'
TNT originally picked Snowpiercer up for a fourth season in July 2021. Two years later, it was confirmed that the series had wrapped up its run amid the Max merger.
Credit: Seacia Pavao/Netflix
'The Society'
The hit detective show was scheduled for another season in July 2019, but due to production complications caused by COVID, Netflix decided to cancel The Society in August 2020.
Credit: Jorge Alvarino/AMC
'Soulmates'
The AMC drama received a season 2 renewal in 2020 but low ratings rescinded the decision three years later.
Credit: YouTube
'Star Trek: Prodigy'
In 2021, Star Trek: Prodigy was renewed for a second season but Paramount+’s merger with Showtime put a stop to production.
Credit: YouTube
'Stumptown'
The ABC series was initially renewed in May 2020, but four months later, the network reversed its decision. According to the network, production delays caused Stumptown to fall behind its scheduled release date.
Credit: HBO/YouTube
'Vinyl'
In 2016, HBO picked up Vinyl for a second season but rescinded the offer months later. HBO did not offer a reason for the decision at the time.
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
'I Am Not Okay With This'
Netflix renewed the series for a second season in August 2020. COVID production complications, however, led to a cancelation instead.
Credit: Matthias Clamer/CBS
'Why Women Kill'
The Paramount+ series was renewed for a third season in December 2021. By the next year, the streamer confirmed plans had been scrapped with no specific reason offered.
