The Ultimate List of 12 TV Shows on the Brink of Cancellation!

While popular TV shows like Grey's Anatomy or The Bear usually hear quickly about their renewal status, there are some shows that are not as fortunate and face the risk of being canceled. Disappointing ratings are often the main reason for potential cancelations, but internal changes within networks or studios can also play a role. Additionally, the future of certain shows may be influenced by current events that directly impact the lives of showrunners, actors, and the television show crews involved in their production.

One such event is the 2023 Writers Guild strike, which has added to the uncertainty surrounding the fate of TV shows. The inability of studios and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) to reach a mutually agreeable deal could lead both parties to use the ambiguous future of these shows as leverage during their prolonged negotiations. In addition to over 11,500 WGA members on strike, the involvement of 65,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has further complicated the situation. As a result, it remains unclear when the strike will reach its final stage. Taking into account factors like current viewership and the overall state of Hollywood, the following TV shows are at the greatest risk of being canceled next.

12 Welcome To Flatch

11 HouseBroken

Fox's mockumentary sitcom recently kicked off its second season in late 2022, showcasing a refreshing take on the beloved "docu-comedy" genre made famous by shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation. Welcome to Flatch has received praise for its innovative approach, leaving fans uncertain if season 2 will mark the end of the road for the series, despite its slightly improved ratings compared to its debut season. Diverging from its predecessors, Welcome to Flatch faces the possibility of an early cancellation before it can grace our screens for a third season.

HouseBroken season 2 premiered on Fox in the later months of 2022. The animated sitcom features Lisa Kudrow as Honey, a therapy dog who not only talks, but also leads a support group consisting of other talking therapy animals. The show's decline in viewership could potentially lead to its cancellation. Additionally, both Kudrow and Clea DuVall, who are part of the main cast, have publicly shown their support for the SAG-AFTRA picket lines. Therefore, unless the studios and WGA/SAG-AFTRA members can reach a fair and reasonable agreement, this animated series may be at risk of being canceled soon.

10 Party Down

An unconventional sitcom centered around actors and other creative individuals in the entertainment industry working as waitstaff for a catering company, Party Down faced cancellation in 2010 after just two seasons. However, due to its growing cult following, Party Down was revived by Starz for a third season in 2023, with the show's viewership numbers remaining undisclosed. Despite the conclusion of Party Down season 3, Starz has yet to renew the series, placing it unfortunately among the list of TV shows most at risk of being canceled next.

9 Home Economics

The sitcom Home Economics revolves around a middle-class family striving to make ends meet and maintain harmonious relationships. Topher Grace brilliantly portrays Tom, a struggling author. The third season of Home Economics concluded in early 2023, and it has consistently achieved impressive ratings for ABC. It is rather perplexing, therefore, that there is a possibility of Home Economics facing cancellation in the future, despite the evident demand for more episodes. ABC has yet to announce the fate of Home Economics. Nonetheless, there is a glimmer of hope as Michael Colton, the executive producer, has shared some promising updates regarding the potential fourth season of Home Economics.

8 The Rookie: Feds

7 Glamorous

The Rookie: Feds, a spinoff of the popular crime drama The Rookie, wrapped up its first season in May 2023. While it may not have reached the same level of success as its predecessor, The Rookie: Feds has garnered a respectable number of viewers. The close connection between the spinoff and its parent show bodes well for its future. With ABC confirming the continuation of the original series, it suggests that The Rookie: Feds' intertwined storyline is likely to continue as well. However, as ABC has yet to announce whether the second season of The Rookie: Feds will be greenlit, it remains one of the shows most at risk of cancellation.

Glamorous season 1, a comedic drama set in the beauty industry, premiered on Netflix in June 2023. Despite featuring notable stars Kim Cattrall and Miss Benny, the series has received mixed reviews and is at risk of being canceled. However, there is still a chance for Glamorous to improve its viewership numbers before Netflix decides whether to renew it for a second season.

6 Shadow And Bone

The highly acclaimed fantasy series, Shadow and Bone, is an adaptation of the renowned Grishaverse novels penned by Israeli-American writer Leigh Bardugo. This Netflix show has garnered immense popularity for its captivating world-building and unique portrayal of magic, reminiscent of the elemental manipulation in the acclaimed Full Metal Alchemist series. Although the reception for Shadow and Bone season 2 has been largely positive, it faces the looming uncertainty of cancellation, as Netflix has remained silent regarding the renewal of a third season, despite the second season concluding in March 2023.

5 Ratched

Ratched, a psychological thriller, made its debut on Netflix in 2020. The series revolves around Mildred Ratched, the ruthless nurse and primary antagonist from the 1975 film, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. While Ratched received critical acclaim, its reception among audiences was more mixed. Interestingly, Netflix has neither confirmed nor canceled a second season of Ratched. Even the show's lead star, Sarah Poulson, remains uncertain about the original plans for Ratched season 2 (via Variety). It is also possible that Netflix quietly decided to cancel the series without making any official announcements.

4 Russian Doll

3 Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet Of Curiosities

Despite its successful debut in 2019 on Netflix, Russian Doll season 2 didn't make its appearance until three years later. Now, more than a year after the conclusion of the second season, the fate of Russian Doll season 3 remains uncertain. This comes as a surprise considering the overwhelmingly positive reception of both the show's initial and sophomore seasons. It seems that the potential cancellation of the Natasha Lyonne series is looming.

Netflix released the first season of Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, a widely acclaimed horror anthology series, in October 2022. Surprisingly, despite the positive reception from critics and audiences, Netflix has not made any announcements regarding the future of the show. It is speculated that Guillermo del Toro's involvement in other Netflix projects, particularly the highly-anticipated Frankenstein adaptation, may have pushed Cabinet of Curiosities to the sidelines for now.

2 Severance

1 God’s Favorite Idiot

is the sci-fi sleeper hit Severance. The first season of this Apple TV show concluded in 2022, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next installment. Starring Adam Scott and produced by Ben Stiller, Severance received enough praise and popularity to secure a renewal for a second season. However, due to the ongoing writer's strike, the production for the next season has been indefinitely postponed. This unfortunate situation has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the fate of Severance, as its future hinges on the duration of the strike and whether its impressive critical acclaim can compensate for any decrease in viewership.

God's Favorite Idiot is an eccentric workplace comedy set in a realm of fantasy. The story revolves around Clark, a regular guy who becomes an unexpected bearer of divine messages after a lightning strike. The future of this show is a bit uncertain when it comes to which TV series are most at risk of cancellation. Initially, Netflix commissioned 16 episodes, with the first 8 constituting the inaugural season. However, the streaming platform has yet to confirm whether the subsequent episodes will be categorized as a continuation of the first season or labeled as the second season altogether. Although the debut episodes premiered in June 2022, no official announcements have been made by Netflix to solidify their long-term plans for God's Favorite Idiot.