I can recall a little over a handful of sci-fi shows that were so immersive and compelling that I could believe that they did not last longer than one or two seasons. Sci-fi is a timeless genre that is always brimming with new, boundary-pushing additions. Unfortunately, like many genres, sci-fi often goes underappreciated and becomes a victim of early cancellations. While several modern sci-fi shows, like Stranger Things and Apple TV+’s Silo, are fortunate enough to perform well and get the opportunity to reach their natural conclusions, others are cut short before they can find their feet.
As an avid sci-fi viewer, I have invested my time in several shows of the genre. I have seen many shows last long enough to garner a solid audience, and, in turn, deliver the kind of long-term storytelling that does justice to their high-concept ideas and expansive worldbuilding. At the same time, I have also witnessed shows start strong and display immense potential with their character beats and depictions of futuristic worlds and technologies only to vanish after a season or two. I still look back at some of these shows and wonder why they failed to last longer.
8
1899
Cancelled After Season 1
Before 1899 season 1 landed on Netflix, there was a lot of buzz around the show because it was helmed by Dark‘s creators, Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar. Even after its premiere on the streamer, the show was lauded for its ambitious sci-fi ideas surrounding simulations and immersive, chilling atmosphere. Although 1899 was not considered as good as Dark, it managed to earn a decent Rotten Tomatoes score of 77%. 1899 season 1’s ending also promised to expand its storytelling scope with another season by leaving viewers with a massive cliffhanger.
Unfortunately, Netflix pulled the plug on the series before it could show its true potential. The biggest narrative issue with 1899 was that it took the easy way out in its final moments by revealing that everything in its story was a part of a simulation. However, after knowing what Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar had achieved with Dark, I knew that 1899 would rise far above genre conventions and tropes in its subsequent seasons. Sadly, the show only got to scratch the surface of all the potential themes and sci-fi ideas it could have explored.
7
Raised By Wolves
Cancelled After Season 2
Raised by Wolves is arguably one of the strangest shows gracing the sci-fi television landscape in recent years. Created by Aaron Guzikowski and produced by Ridley Scott, the series never tried to confine itself to the familiar tropes and narrative conventions associated with sci-fi. Looking back, I can see how the show’s defiance towards traditional storytelling made it appealing to a few but also polarizing to many. Although it managed to work well among critics and earned an average score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, it never truly found its audience.
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Because of the complex nature of its storytelling and abstract symbolism, Raised by Wolves struggled to garner the mainstream success that many simpler sci-fi shows seem to enjoy. Owing to this, it is hard not to see how its cancellation after season 2 was a long time coming. I still wish that the show had lasted longer, considering how not a lot of sci-fi series dare to challenge genre norms and bring something novel and weirdly compelling to the table.
6
Constellation
Cancelled After Season 1
Although quantum physics has been explored in myriad sci-fi shows, none have managed to capture it like Apple TV+’s Constellation. The sci-fi series boldly attempted to spin a fantastical yarn around complex sci-fi concepts like duality, superposition, and entanglement. Its opening episodes were so engaging that even Stephen King gave the series a stamp of approval by calling it “Just about perfect.” Stephen King’s glowing praise for the series should have been enough to get it more eyeballs, but it was canceled after only one season.
What made Constellation‘s cancellation even more disappointing is that Apple TV+ is known for giving shows a second chance instead of suddenly pulling the plug on them. Shows like Invasion on the streamer have managed to return with new seasons despite getting below-average critical ratings. Constellation, in contrast, earned decent reviews and was starting to grow on audiences before its season 1 ended its run. Yet, it was abruptly cut short and stopped from extending beyond its first installment’s cliffhanger ending.
5
Almost Human
Cancelled After Season 1
Starring Karl Urban, Almost Human‘s biggest strength was its ability to develop characters while featuring some intriguing sci-fi concepts and technology. Most sci-fi shows put character development in the backseat while focusing more on shiny futuristic tech and high-stakes worldbuilding. Almost Human, however, struck a rare balance of giving its human (and android) characters equal importance while gradually expanding its futuristic world and presenting the ethical conflicts faced by its central law-enforcing protagonists.
…It is hard not to see how Almost Human had the potential to grow a bigger following and even rake in better ratings and returns if only it was given a second chance.
A little over a month after its finale’s release, though, Almost Human was axed by Fox. Its relatively low ratings and high production costs did not give the network a solid reason to continue its run. Looking back, however, it is hard not to see how Almost Human had the potential to grow a bigger following and even rake in better ratings and returns if only it was given a second chance.
4
I Am Not Okay With This
Cancelled After Season 1
I Am Not Okay With This remains fresh in many viewers’ memories because of how it was initially pushed by Netflix as one of its biggest upcoming sci-fi shows. The show almost came off as a modern take on Roald Dahl’s Matilda with its gritty and grounded portrayal of a teen struggling to control her telekinetic powers. In many ways, it also seemed reminiscent of the 2012 film, Chronicle, and The Boys‘ spin-off, Gen V, because of how it perfectly used its supernatural elements as an allegory for coming-of-age themes.
Interestingly, after having a successful run with season 1, I Am Not Okay With This was also officially renewed for season 2. Netflix, however, decided to upturn its decision because filming restrictions during the pandemic suddenly raised the show’s production costs. If only things had turned out differently, the Netflix sci-fi show would have had at least one more season. But as much as I want to say that I am not okay with this cancellation, I can understand why the streamer had to end it after season 1.
3
Counterpart
Cancelled After Season 2
Created by Justin Marks, Counterpart is among the rare few shows with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% across two seasons. As the show’s title suggests, it features JK Simmons in a fascinating double role, where one version of him is a regular office worker while the other is a cold operative in a war in a parallel universe. While Simmons’ performance alone is enough to keep one hooked throughout the series’ runtime, it is the show’s ability to be boldly ridiculous and still entertaining that makes it truly exceptional.
Even to this day, Counterpart remains fairly underappreciated, especially for a show that boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. After its premiere on December 10, 2017, it ran for 20 episodes before ending its run on February 17, 2019. It did have potential for more narrative growth even after season 1. However, it was slashed before it could rise above its obscure status. The series’ production company, Media Rights Capital, even tried to find a new home for it after its cancellation, but that clearly did not work out.
2
Firefly
Cancelled After Season 2
A list revolving around shows that surprisingly did not last longer would undoubtedly be incomplete without Firefly. Set in 2517, the Western sci-fi drama was canceled after 11 of its 14 produced episodes were first aired. Despite that, though, it grew a massive following and showed immense potential after its DVD sales did remarkably well.
Firefly was fortunate enough to eventually get a movie sequel, Serenity, which neatly tied up many of its unresolved loose threads and ended the series for good. However, it is still a little disappointing that the show was not given the chance to continue its run as a full-fledged TV show even after its post-airing success.
1
The OA
Cancelled After Season 2
Long before Netflix became a little too infamous for suddenly ending some of its best shows, The OA landed on the streamer and gained the reputation of being one of the most ambitious and unconventional series in its catalog. Although The OA did not rank as high as other mainstream shows in popularity, its philosophical depth and exploration of relatable themes surrounding trauma, grief, and captivity allowed it to garner a cult following. The show’s viewership, however, was not on par with its high production costs, leading to its cancellation after two seasons.
The show’s creators, Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, were given the opportunity to end with a final follow-up film. But the two declined the offer because they had initially envisioned a five-season run for the series. Marling and Batmanglij still often talk about The OA and the prospects of bringing it back in the future. Hopefully, their plans will materialize someday, and the sci-fi show will get to reach its natural conclusion.
