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When The Residence & Pulse premiered, both shows looked promising. The shows each started with strong debut numbers that got everyone talking. But after two or three weeks, viewers stopped tuning in.
Netflix tracks total hours watched and how many people finish a season. Pulse dropped nearly two-thirds of its audience by week three, and The Residence saw similar declines. Low viewership made Netflix decide that a second season wasn’t worth it.
Critical reviews stayed mixed and lowered audience interest
Critics gave Pulse a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences rated it just under 60%. The Residence & Pulse both landed in that lukewarm zone where people aren’t excited enough to recommend them.
When reviews say a show is only “okay,” many viewers move on quickly. Positive buzz never really built up around both the shows after the first episodes. As a result, neither show could pick up steam through word of mouth.
High production costs weighed against the returns
Shondaland backed The Residence, and that meant a big budget for cast, effects, and sets. The Residence & Pulse likely cost millions per episode. Netflix measures return on investment by comparing those costs to hours watched.
As viewership for the shows didn’t stay high; the money spent felt hard to justify. In today’s streaming world, expensive shows must keep viewers hooked. Otherwise, they risk getting cut after one season.
Fan feedback pointed out story and pacing issues
On Reddit, many fans said Pulse felt slow and confusing. Others wrote that The Residence didn’t use its White House detective premise well. Comments described the pacing as dragging and the plots as muddled.
When viewers don’t understand or enjoy the story, they stop watching. All this chatter around the shows showed clear warning signs that the shows weren’t landing as intended.
Netflix confirmed cancellations in early July 2025
On July 2, 2025, Netflix officially announced that The Residence & Pulse would not come back for season 2. Behind the scenes, the decision came in late May or early June, when executives reviewed the data.
Cast and crew were informed and let go. Fans woke up on July 3 to the news that both shows had ended after one season. Netflix quietly updated its library to reflect the cancellations.
A crowded streaming market leaves little room for error
Today’s streaming choices are endless, from reality TV to big-budget dramas. The Residence & Pulse competed with dozens of other new shows each week. When a series fails to keep viewers, Netflix shifts attention to safer bets.
Both shows fell into the category of “shows that didn’t stick,” and that made them easy to cut. In this fast-moving environment, only series with steady growth last beyond season 1.
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Although The Residence & Pulse won’t return, Netflix has other titles in the pipeline. Viewers who enjoyed those shows may find similar thrillers or dramas in the months ahead.
And Netflix will keep experimenting with new ideas, hoping to land the next big hit. For now, fans can revisit season 1 of the two shows and look forward to what’s coming in late 2025.
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