Netflix just saved Found, one of NBC's best crime dramas from cancellation

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Found is one of the most popular crime dramas that faced an unpredictable future when NBC pulled out after just two seasons. Despite drawing a lot of viewership and receiving critical acclaim, the show failed to escape the harsh reality of maintaining the same level of ratings. The network was forced to reduce the content.

For viewers who followed Gabi Mosley's morally complicated journey, the stripping away felt like an abrupt goodbye to a story that still had so much to tell. However, a big OTT giant came as a disguised rescuer for the show.

Netflox will release all the episodes of the show from January 2 onwards, giving the show a chance to engage new viewers. While the streaming platform has not confirmed the production of new episodes yet, history proves that some canceled shows find unexpected second chances once they tap into the OTT's huge viewership base. The move represents a huge opportunity for the drama to prove its worth beyond conventional broadcast television.

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How Found became a fan beloved

The show, on its release, quickly carved out its own space in the crowded crime drama landscape. Found and features Shanola Hampton in the role of Gabi Mosley. Gabi is a crisis manager who dedicates all her time to tracking down missing individuals that authorities often overlook.

Her crew at Gabi Mosley and Associates is not a typical investigative unit. Every member has their own connection to tragedy, whether it is through loss of self or someone they love.

The ensemble cast of Found includes Kelli Williams, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta, Karan Oberoi, and Brett Dalton. The chemistry between these performers pushes the storyline and, in many ways, grounds the show's darker elements in authentic human emotion.

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The dark secret that defined Found

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What sets Found apart from other crime dramas is its bold moral stance. From the very first instalment, audiences discovered that Gabi harbors a deadly secret in her basement. She is holding her own kidnapper captive, using his twisted insight to find the other missing people.

The morally complex setup created consistent tension and raised the stakes throughout the show. The storyline does not hesitate to explore complex questions about justice and redemption.

Gabi and her captive are stuck in a psychological battle, each trying to take the lead while depending on each other in their own bent way. The unlikely and unconventional dynamic gave the show an edge that keeps viewers coming back again and again.

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What did the former cancellation mean for the story?

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When NBC announced that the series would not return for a third season, it left several plots unresolved. The creators had planned to delve deeper into the past of other characters, revealing how each investigation member ended up working along with Gabi.

These carefully planned storylines would have filled major gaps in the larger plot, helping fans understand what drove these characters to give their lives to this dangerous mission.

After the cancellation, Warner Bros. Television initially attempted to sell the show to other platforms but failed. Fans resigned themselves to never learning how the story progresses or whether Gabi would encounter consequences for her unconventional actions.


Why Netflix changes everything for Found

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The upcoming release on Netflix represents more than just a new streaming space for existing episodes. The platform's expansive reach could introduce the show to countless viewers who never saw it on its original NBC run.

The streaming setup allows audiences to binge-watch whole seasons, which often creates more compelling engagement than a weekly broadcast plan. This could work in favor of Found, as the unconventional storytelling and ongoing mystery elements become more influential when watching in one sitting. However, if the show generates enough excitement and viewing numbers grow, negotiations could lead to bringing everyone back together.


Netflix's rescue of this unique crime thriller offers viewers renewed hope for both new worldwide viewers and the possibility of a continuation.

Edited by Zainab Shaikh