Found quickly became one of NBC’s standout dramas when it launched back in 2023. With a gripping premise, emotionally charged storytelling, and a powerhouse performance from Shanola Hampton, the show carved out a space that felt both timely and necessary. But now, after two intense seasons, the network has decided to cancel it, and for fans, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
There’s always something uniquely frustrating about a series ending just when it’s starting to find its rhythm. Found wasn’t just another procedural; it was a story that dared to dive into the shadows, the people left behind, the stories that don’t get media coverage, and the broken systems that let them slip through the cracks. So, naturally, the news of its cancellation hit hard. But there might still be a flicker of hope on the horizon.
A show that stood out from the start
From the very beginning, Found did things differently. The series followed Gabi Mosely, a public relations specialist and abduction survivor who leads a team dedicated to locating missing people, the kind of cases most others give up on. But behind her composed exterior, Gabi carries a dark secret: she’s holding her own former kidnapper captive in her basement and using his twisted mind to help solve new cases.
That alone gave the show an edge that set it apart. It wasn’t just about solving mysteries; it was about the gray areas, morally, emotionally, and psychologically. And through that lens, it told stories that felt raw, real, and often deeply uncomfortable.

Who made it all work
Shanola Hampton brought Gabi to life with fierce conviction and layered vulnerability. Her portrayal was central to the show’s impact, at once strong, compassionate, and visibly haunted. Then there was Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir, the former abductor whose presence in the basement served as a constant reminder of everything Gabi had endured (and everything she hadn’t fully let go of).
The supporting cast, including Kelli Williams as Margaret Reed, Brett Dalton as Mark Trent, and Gabrielle Walsh as Lacey Quinn, gave depth and texture to the team. Lacey’s arc, in particular, stood out: a woman saved by Gabi in childhood, now working alongside her mentor to save others. There was a sense of shared trauma, but also strength, woven through each of their stories.

Season by season: The journey so far
In Season 1, we got a clear sense of the show’s rhythm: a case-of-the-week format layered with long-running storylines, emotional reckonings, and Gabi’s inner war between justice and vengeance. It set the tone, introduced the key players, and slowly peeled back Gabi’s complicated relationship with Sir.
Season 2 turned everything up a notch. With Sir no longer under lock and key, the stakes shifted. Gabi had to deal not only with the fallout of her choices but with the reality that she might no longer be in control. The second season leaned harder into ethical dilemmas and pushed the characters further than ever before, emotionally, morally, and in their relationships with one another.

Ratings, reactions, and recognition
Despite its heavier themes, Found struck a chord among fans. Its series premiere drew in over 10 million viewers, a strong showing for any network drama, especially on NBC and Peacock. Season 1 maintained solid weekly numbers, averaging 7.4 million viewers. Season 2 dipped slightly to about 6.2 million per episode but still held its ground.
Not every critic was on the same page when it came to the show’s overall story, but there was one thing just about everyone could agree on: Shanola Hampton was the soul of Found. Her performance hit hard in all the right ways: raw, powerful, and completely unforgettable. It didn’t just win over viewers, it earned her some serious recognition too, including a Gracie Award and nominations from the GLAAD Media Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. The show’s bold approach to representation and storytelling didn’t just make an impact, it made people take notice.

So, is it really over?
NBC made it official on May 9, 2025, that Found will not be coming back for a third season. But that may not be the final word. Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind the series, has reportedly shown interest in finding a new home for the show. And given how often canceled shows have found second lives thanks to streaming platforms and dedicated fanbases, that’s not out of the question.
Where to catch up
If you haven’t seen the show yet or want to revisit, both seasons of Found are currently available on Max. Whether the story ends here or continues elsewhere, it has left a mark. For many viewers, it wasn’t just a show about missing people. It was about survival, justice, and the impossible choices that come with healing from trauma. And in that sense, Found won’t be forgotten anytime soon.