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TV shows come and go but great ones stay on. However, there are times when even the most promising TV shows are axed by the networks and streaming partners for various reasons. From low viewership to high production costs, over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of TV shows that have been cancelled even after they showed potential and gained positive reviews. Here are 9 such TV shows that got cancelled even though they were inventive.
Clean Slate, Lockwood and Co. and other TV shows that got cancelled after one season
1. The Bondsman
Created by Grainger David and starring Kevin Bacon, Beth Grant, and others, this action and horror is one of those TV shows that got cancelled after just one season. The show focuses on Hub Halloran, played by Kevin Bacon, who is a backwoods bounty hunter. Hub has a miracle and he comes back from the dead. Therefore, after getting a second chance at life, he wants to revive his forgotten musical career and find love once again. However, he soon finds out that his old job has a horrifying new twist attached to it that maybe even demonic. The series premiered on April 2025 and even though it showed a lot of promise and was backed by the likes of Kevin Bacon, it was cancelled shortly after its first season. While reviews for the show ranged from appreciating the show’s dark humor to noting Kevin Bacon’s mischievous charm, it still could not escape the cancellation notice. Reasons given were high production costs and low marketing that did not lead to higher viewership. Unfortunately, it is one of those promising TV shows that got cancelled way too soon.
2. Kaos
Starring the likes of Jeff Goldblum, along with Janet McTeer, and others, this British mythological and dark comedy is one of those TV shows that unfortunately got cancelled after just one season. Created by Charlie Covell and inspired by the Greek mythology, the fantastical series focuses on three individuals who discover that they are linked by a prophecy. Amidst all this, the trio must also deal with the arrogant and corrupt gods of Greek mythology. The show begins with the all-powerful Greek god, Zeus, who has kept his fellow god Prometheus shackled to a cliff. Zeus punishes Prometheus for questioning his autocratic powers. However, Prometheus, who is also the narrator of the show, decides to tell of a prophecy that would overthrow Zeus from his throne. In the series, Jeff Goldblum plays the role of Zeus and lends unending charm to the role. Even though the show was inventive and had a lot of promise, it ended soon after the first season. From low viewership numbers to high production costs, various reasons were given for its cancellation. Therefore, it is one of those TV shows that could not stay on air for long.
3. I Am Not Okay with This
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Charles Forsman, this coming-of-age black comedy is one of those TV shows that got cancelled after one season. Developed by Jonathan Entwistle and Christy Hall, the show features Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff, and others. The series focuses on an emotionally volatile teenage girl Sydney (Lillis), who discovers that she has psychokinetic abilities that get triggered by strong emotions. The show revolves around her journey to better control her powers and also navigating personal problems like the death of her father, an estranged relationship with her mothers, and adolescent issues like relationships. The show offered a lot of potential and Lillis and Oleff’s acting was also praised. However, the show got cancelled soon due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the show was about to be renewed for a second season, unfortunately it did not, and now it is one of those TV shows that got cancelled way too soon.
4. The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself
Created by Joe Barton and based on the novel series by Sally Green, this British fantasy drama is one of those TV shows that showed a lot of promise but got cancelled after one season. Starring Jay Lycurgo, Nadia Parkes, and others, the show focuses on Nathan Byrne (Lycurgo), who discovers that he is the illegitimate son of a powerful and evil witch, Marcus Edge. The show focuses on Nathan being monitored by the Council of Fairborn Witches throughout his first 17 years. The Council fear that Nathan will turn out like his father. As the conflict between the Blood Witches and the Fairborn Witches escalate, Nathan finds out that he is being targeted by a witch hunt. Now, he must build alliance with fellow witches and also learn more about his mysterious past. Even though the show was well liked by fans and critics for its complex characters and LGBTQ+ themes, it was cancelled due to low completion rate. Therefore, it is one of those TV shows that could not sustain itself.
5. Dead Boy Detectives
Based on the DC comics series by Toby Litt and Mark Buckingham, this supernatural horror detective comedy-drama is one of those TV shows that had potential but got cancelled after one season. Developed by Steve Yockey and starring George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, and others, the series focuses on two boys, Charles (Revri) and Edwin (Rexstrew), who got killed while on Earth and decide to not enter the afterlife. Instead, they want to stay back on Earth and investigate supernatural mysteries. Even though the show got positive reviews for its writing, tone, and visuals, it got cancelled because it had low viewership. Viewers even enjoyed the authentic queer representation but the show could not stay for long. Therefore, it is one of those promising TV shows that had the perfect balance of humor, magic, and heartfelt storytelling and it still got cancelled.
6. Julie and the Phantoms
Created by Dan Cross and David Hoge and starring Madison Reyes, Charlie Gillespie, and others, this musical comedy drama is one of those TV shows that got cancelled way too soon. The show is based on a Brazilian series and premiered in 2020. The show focuses on Julie (Reyes), who is a teenage girl trying to cope with the death of her mother. However, her life changes when she meets three ghosts who died before they could make it big. Julie and the ghosts therefore create a band together and want to take over the musical world. The show is heartwarming and has a whimsical tone. It focuses on the healing power of music and has an uplifting soundtrack as well. Even though the series got multiple Emmy awards and received positive acclaim, it got cancelled after one season. Therefore, it is one of those TV shows that could not stay for long.
7. Lockwood and Co.
Starring Ruby Stokes, Cameron Chapman, and others, this British supernatural detective thriller is one of those TV shows that got cancelled way too soon. Based on the book series by Jonathan Stroud, the show is developed by Joe Cornish. The series presents an alternate version of Britain where ghosts have been rising from their graves and the society does not have any technological advances. Amidst this, the adults cannot see the ghosts but the children can. Therefore, a group of teenagers band together to detect and dispose of threats. The show’s protagonist is Lucy (Stokes), who is a gifted teenager and wants to join the teenagers who hunt ghosts. However, she cannot survive in London and has to take up a job at the small, titular outfit run by two boys. The show premiered in 2023 and got cancelled due to low viewership. Even though the show got positive reviews for its authentic adaption from the book, it was one of those TV shows that could not sustain.
8. Étoile
Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, this comedy drama is one of those TV shows that had potential but got cancelled after one season. Starring Luke Kirby, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and others, the show premiered in April 2025 and even though two seasons were ordered for the show, it got cancelled after one season. The show is about two famous ballet companies, one in New York and one in Paris. When the two institutions decide to save their institution, they swap their most talented stars. Even though the show had positive reviews and was noted for its beautiful portrayal of ballet, it could not escape the chopping block. The show was engaging, had stunning visuals of ballet, and presented a different world to the viewers. However, the show is one of those TV shows that got cancelled suddenly and even though it had a lot of promise, it got removed way too soon.
9. Clean Slate
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Starring Laverne Cox, George Wallace, and others, this sitcom is also co-created by Cox and Wallace along with Dan Ewen. The show premiered in February 2025 and even got positive reviews. However, it is one of those TV shows that got cancelled after the first season. The show focuses on Desiree (Cox), who is a 40-year-old and is returning to her small town in Alabama to reunite with her father Harry (Wallace), after 23 years. However, the twist is that Harry is excited to reunite with his son as he is unaware that his son is now a proud trans woman. The show had a lot of promise and even highlighted the issues of transgender people in an empathetic and warm manner. However, the series could not be saved from cancellation and it is one of those TV shows that had a lot of promise but got cancelled soon. The show was noted for its humor and themes and even though no reason was given for the cancellation, some media outlets speculate that it is because Donald Trump became the President, who does not believe in the transgender community.
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