‘Un-Renewed’ TV Shows: Uncoupled, GLOW, A League of Their Own and 20+ Others With Reversed Renewals

TV show cancellations are devastating enough on their own. But when a series has already been renewed, then gets unceremoniously axed? That’s eat-ice-cream-straight-outta-the-gallon levels of heartbreak.

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Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the occasional TV show did have its renewal for a subsequent season reversed, as happened with series like HBO’s Vinyl or ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. But as COVID upended the TV industry in 2020 and beyond — affecting production schedules and budgets, among other factors — it became frustratingly common for shows that were already picked up for additional seasons to later be cancelled.

The ever-shifting landscape of new streaming services and corporate mergers has had an impact, too, claiming titles like AMC+’s Moonhaven. And most recently, the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild’s dual strikes in 2023 had an effect, as well, prompting the un-renewals of Prime Video’s The Peripheral and A League of Their Own.

Which unexpected cancellation still stings the most for you? Scroll through our list below to see all of the reversed renewals, then drop a comment with the shows you wish had returned.

61ST STREET (AMC)

Season 2 Ordered: Oct. 1, 2019

Season 2 Cancelled: Jan. 5, 2023

Reasons Given: No official statement was given by AMC at the time, but according to Variety, the decision to scrap Season 2 was made as part of a cost-cutting measure for the network. Not only was 61st Street handed a two-season order when it was first greenlit in 2019, but Season 2 had already been filmed in its entirety when AMC pulled the plug.

MAY 12, 2023 UPDATE: 61st Street has officially been rescued by The CW! Season 2 will air on the network in 2024.

#BLACKAF (Netflix)

Season 2 Ordered: June 23, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: June 23, 2021

Reasons Given: Netflix did not comment on its decision to un-renew Kenya Barris’ semi-autobiographical comedy, but the show was reportedly being redeveloped (as of June 2021) as a potential film franchise at the streamer, à la National Lampoon’s Vacation. Brazil and Mexico-set installments were said to be in early development, but further updates have yet to be announced.

THE BRINK (HBO)

Season 2 Ordered: July 21, 2015

Season 2 Cancelled: Oct. 27, 2015

Reasons Given: “After evaluating our schedule and our programming needs, we unfortunately decided we cannot give The Brink the attention it deserves for a second season,” HBO said in a statement at the time. “We are proud of the first season and wish everyone involved in this show the very best.”

BUPKIS (Peacock)

Season 2 Ordered: June 23, 2023

Season 2 Cancelled: March 21, 2024

Reasons Given: “I’ve always seen Bupkis as a window into my life, since it is so personal and about my struggles and family,” series co-creator and star Pete Davidson said in a statement announcing his decision to scrap Season 2. “After nearly a decade of my personal life being in the media I wanted a chance to tell my story my way. Of all the work I’ve ever done, Bupkis is by far what I’m most proud of. I am so grateful to Lorne Michaels and Broadway Video, Peacock, Universal Television and the amazing cast and writers for helping me create something honest, funny and heartfelt. I do also feel that this part of my life is finished. I’m very excited for this next chapter and for you guys to see the work. Thank you to all who support me for I am forever grateful.”

CHAPELWAITE (MGM+)

Season 2 Ordered: Feb. 3, 2022

Season 2 Cancelled: Nov. 3, 2023

Reasons Given: Reasons for the un-renewal were scarce, but co-creator and executive producer Jason Filardi took to X (fka Twitter) to update fans and make it official. “I’m afraid Captain Boone’s story ends on that beach of weathered, Maine sand,” he wrote. “There will be no Season 2. Thank you to all the Chapelwaite fans!”

DANGEROUS LIAISONS (Starz)

Season 2 Ordered: Nov. 1, 2022

Season 2 Cancelled: Dec. 12, 2022

Reasons Given: The period drama initially scored an early Season 2 renewal at Starz, five days ahead of its series premiere. Per Deadline, though, the show ultimately failed to find an audience upon its debut, prompting its fairly swift cancellation.

DRUNK HISTORY (Comedy Central)

Season 7 Ordered: Aug. 26, 2019

Season 7 Cancelled: Aug. 19, 2020

Reasons Given: Though Season 7 was in pre-production before the coronavirus pandemic hit, production was ultimately shut down due to COVID-19, prompting Comedy Central to reverse the renewal.

EUREKA (Syfy)

Season 6 Ordered: Aug. 4, 2011

Season 6 Cancelled: Aug. 8, 2011

Reasons Given: Eureka fans got a bit of whiplash as Syfy decided the show’s fate: It was initially picked up for a six-episode sixth season, which was speculated to be its last. Days later, though, the Season 6 pickup was rescinded; instead, Season 5 (which was in production at the time of this back-and-forth) served as Eureka’s swan song, and the fifth season was expanded by one episode to give the show an official sendoff.

FARSCAPE (Syfy)

Season 5 Ordered: Early 2002 (exact date unclear)

Season 5 Cancelled: September 2002

Reasons Given: On the heels of Farscape’s third season, it was renewed for Seasons 4 and 5 at the same time. But after a decline in ratings during Season 4, Syfy reversed the Season 5 pickup, and the Season 4 finale ultimately served as the series ending.

“Despite what many seem to believe, those who work at SCI FI Channel truly love Farscape,” the network said in an online Q&A following fan uproar. “However, television is a business and despite every effort on our part, with the ratings dipping, the Channel could not commit to the high financial cost of producing another season.” (The network also said it attempted to make a shortened, 13-episode Season 5 work, but “we could not come to terms with our production partners.”)

GLOW (Netflix)

Season 4 Ordered: Sept. 20, 2019

Season 4 Cancelled: Oct. 5, 2020

Reasons Given: After production halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, various concerns — including budget and the precautions needed to keep the cast and crew of a wrestling series safe from the virus — reportedly contributed to Netflix’s decision.

HINDSIGHT (VH1)

Season 2 Ordered: March 16, 2015

Season 2 Cancelled: Aug. 28, 2015

Reasons Given: “We love Hindsight and couldn’t be more proud of the series,” VH1 said in a statement at the time. “But in this overcrowded and rapidly changing climate, we need to carve out VH1’s distinct place in the scripted marketplace and deliver the biggest audiences possible for our series. As a result, we’re no longer moving forward with a second season of the show.”

I’M SORRY (truTV)

Season 3 Ordered: June 18, 2019

Season 3 Cancelled: Aug. 25, 2020

Reasons Given: Though the scripts for all 10 Season 3 episodes had already been written, production stopped after two weeks due to COVID-19, and the show didn’t recover. “Due to circumstances created by COVID, we unfortunately cannot move forward with production on the third season of I’m Sorry,” a truTV rep said. “We admire Andrea Savage’s irreverent voice and fresh take on parenthood and are so proud of the show she and her cast and crew created. She was a great partner for many years and we truly wish everyone well.”

INSIDE JOB (Netflix)

Season 2 Ordered: June 8, 2022

Season 2 Cancelled: Jan. 8, 2023

Reasons Given: Though Netflix did not offer a reason for Inside Job’s cancellation, series creator Shion Takeuchi announced the reversed renewal with the following Twitter statement: “I’m heartbroken to confirm that Netflix has decided to cancel Season 2 of Inside Job. Over the years, these characters have become real people to me, and I am devastated not to be able to watch them grow up. Reagan and Brett deserved to get their ending and finally find happiness. And I would have loved to been able to share what was in store with you all. To everyone who watched, thank you for coming along on the ride. Even though I’m sad, it helps to know that there’s people out there who cared just as much about these characters as me.”

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (Prime Video)

Season 2 Ordered: April 12, 2023

Season 2 Cancelled: Aug. 18, 2023

Reasons Given: TVLine has confirmed that the cancellation was due to production delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (ABC)

Season 5 Ordered: Early 1997

Season 5 Cancelled: June 1997

Reasons Given: Despite getting renewed for Season 5 while in the middle of its fourth season, Lois & Clark’s ratings became dismal by the end of Season 4. A fifth season never came to fruition, and the show was instead cancelled after Season 4 — on a major cliffhanger, no less.

LOVE IS__ (OWN)

Season 2 Ordered: July 31, 2018

Season 2 Cancelled: Dec. 19, 2018

Reasons Given: Not long after the OWN drama was renewed, executive producer Salim Akil — whose real-life romance with wife/series creator Mara Brock Akil inspired the series — faced a lawsuit from a woman claiming he abused her during an alleged 10-year affair. OWN execs reportedly felt that the show’s central conceit had been compromised by the allegations against Akil, and the network confirmed in a statement that it “has decided not to move forward with the second season.”

LUCK (HBO)

Season 2 Ordered: Jan. 31, 2012

Season 2 Cancelled: March 14, 2012

Reasons Given: Despite lackluster premiere ratings, Luck was renewed for Season 2 just two days after its debut. But the horse racing drama drew concerns, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other groups, about the on-set safety of animals — and after three horses had to be euthanized during Season 1 production, the show was cancelled.

MOONHAVEN (AMC+)

Season 2 Ordered: July 28, 2022

Season 2 Cancelled: Dec. 3, 2022

Reasons Given: Much like 61st Street and Pantheon (keep scrolling for details on the latter), Moonhaven was reportedly a victim of AMC Networks’ cost-cutting efforts.

ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA (Showtime)

Season 2 Ordered: Sept. 26, 2019

Season 2 Cancelled: Oct. 8, 2020

Reasons Given: Another show cut down by the coronavirus, On Becoming a God had its renewal rescinded after the pandemic delayed Season 2 production. “The pandemic has continued to challenge schedules across the board, and although we have made every effort to reunite the cast and crew for a second season, that has become untenable,” Showtime confirmed. “It is with great regret that we are acknowledging On Becoming a God will not return.”

PANTHEON (AMC+)

Season 2 Ordered: March 10, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: Jan. 8, 2023

Reasons Given: AMC Networks originally showed great confidence in the animated drama series, ordering two eight-episode seasons in March 2020. But after Season 1 wrapped on Oct. 13, 2022, Pantheon was later axed as part of a sweeping tax write-down at the company, which also claimed the previously ordered second seasons of 61st Street and Moonhaven (along with in-the-works projects like Demascus and Invitation to a Bonfire). Season 2 of Pantheon had, unfortunately, already been produced.

PEOPLE OF EARTH (TBS)

Season 3 Ordered: Sept. 13, 2017

Season 3 Cancelled: June 7, 2018

Reasons Given: “Just got word last night: TBS has cancelled People of Earth,” series creator David Jenkins tweeted at the time. “Thank you to everyone who was a fan of the show and enjoyed its gentle, amiable sci-fi weirdness. It was an honor sharing this show with you. Let’s do it again soon. Love you all.” TBS did not formally weigh in on the decision.

THE PERIPHERAL (Prime Video)

Season 2 Ordered: Feb. 9, 2023

Season 2 Cancelled: Aug. 18, 2023

Reasons Given: TVLine has confirmed that the decision was made because of extended production delays brought on by 2023’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

PERPETUAL GRACE, LTD (Epix)

Season 2 Ordered: Jan. 30, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: February 2022

Reasons Given: Epix’s noir drama took a slightly more circuitous route to its eventual complete cancellation: In January 2020, it was announced that the show would not be back for a full-length second season (Season 1 spanned 10 episodes), but would return for a truncated Season 2 that was to (reportedly) offer closure on the story. At the time, series co-creator Steven Conrad responded to the qualified renewal by tweeting, “under these terms, never going to happen”; it wasn’t until February 2022 that sources confirmed to TVLine that Perpetual Grace had completed its run with only one season.

PITCH PERFECT: BUMPER IN BERLIN (Peacock)

Season 2 Ordered: Jan. 9, 2023

Season 2 Cancelled: Sept. 21, 2023

Reasons Given: Per our sister site Deadline, the decision to un-renew the Pitch Perfect spinoff stemmed from production delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

QUEEN SONO (Netflix)

Season 2 Ordered: April 28, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: Dec. 1, 2020

Reasons Given: According to South African news outlet Channel24, the South African crime drama’s renewal was rescinded due to production challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “We wrote a beautiful story that spanned the continent but unfortunately could not be executed in these current trying times,” series creator Kagiso Lediga said in a statement.

ROSEANNE (ABC)

Season 11 Ordered: March 30, 2018

Season 11 Cancelled: May 29, 2018

Reasons Given: After Season 10 — aka Roseanne’s first revival season — opened to blockbuster ratings, ABC swiftly renewed the sitcom for Season 11… only to rescind the pickup after star Roseanne Barr’s racist Twitter tirade against former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. The show ultimately reinvented itself without Barr, making way for The Conners, which is still airing on ABC.

SNOWPIERCER (TNT)

Season 4 Ordered: July 29, 2021

Season 4 Cancelled: Jan. 13, 2023

Reasons Given: By the time Snowpiercer‘s (already-produced) fourth and final season was tabled at TNT, many a Warner Bros. Discovery property had been cancelled, scrapped, un-renewed or unceremoniously scrubbed from HBO Max, as WBD boss David Zaslav attempted to pare down billions of dollars in debt. Interestingly, though, Snowpiercer‘s reversed renewal came barely a week after WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels claimed “we’re done with that chapter” of sudden cancellations and library removals.

“We can confirm that TNT will not air Season 4 of Snowpiercer,” read a statement from a network spokesperson at the time. “This was a difficult decision, but our admiration for the talented writers, actors and crew who brought Snowpiercer’s extraordinary post-apocalyptic world to life remains strong. We have been working collaboratively with the producers since last year to help the series find a new home where fans can continue to enjoy the compelling story and exceptional visual experience. We look forward to working with them on future projects.”

MARCH 14, 2024 UPDATE: AMC has officially acquired U.S. linear and streaming rights to all four Snowpiercer seasons. The first three seasons will bow on AMC+ later this year, while Season 4 will follow on AMC and AMC+ in early 2025 (precise release date TBD).

THE SOCIETY (Netflix)

Season 2 Ordered: July 9, 2019

Season 2 Cancelled: Aug. 21, 2020

Reasons Given: The teen mystery was among the first shows to get unrenewed by the pandemic, which impacted the drama’s production schedule and budget too much to proceed with Season 2. “We’re disappointed to have to make these decisions due to circumstances created by COVID, and we are grateful to these creators,” Netflix said at the time.

SOULMATES (AMC)

Season 2 Ordered: Aug. 7, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: Feb. 24, 2023

Reasons Given: Low ratings, coupled with the hectic schedule of co-creator Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso, Shrinking), were allegedly to blame for the reversal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

STAR TREK: PRODIGY (Paramount+)

Season 2 Ordered: Nov. 8, 2021

Season 2 Cancelled: June 23, 2023

Reasons Given: Star Trek: Prodigy was cancelled alongside The Game, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and Queen of the Universe on the day it was axed, a move made in advance of Paramount+’s merger with Showtime. At the time of the reversed renewal, executive producer Aaron J. Waltke confirmed that “we are completing Season 2 on schedule and seeking a new home.”

OCT. 11, 2023 UPDATE: Star Trek: Prodigy has officially been rescued by Netflix! Season 2 will land on the streamer sometime in 2024.

STUMPTOWN (ABC)

Season 2 Ordered: May 21, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: Sept. 16, 2020

Reasons Given: The first broadcast-TV series to get pulled due to the pandemic, Stumptown was cancelled after production delays meant the show would not be ready to launch in Fall 2020. Per THR, however, the cancellation was also influenced by the show’s planned creative reboot for Season 2.

TOSH.0 (Comedy Central)

Season 13 Ordered: Jan. 14, 2020

Season 13 Cancelled: Aug. 20, 2020

Reasons Given: Comedy Central had actually renewed Tosh.0 for four additional seasons in January 2020, ensuring it would stay on the air through at least Season 16. Instead, the pop culture clip show ended with Season 12; a reason for the surprise cancellation was not given, other than Comedy Central’s apparent move away from live-action series.

UNCOUPLED (Netflix)

Season 2 Ordered: Feb. 10, 2023

Season 2 Cancelled: March 21, 2024

Reasons Given: Uncoupled‘s reversed renewal was actually the second time the show had been axed: Original home Netflix first cancelled the series in January 2023 after one season, but it was rescued by Showtime, which gave the show a Season 2 pickup one month later… until those plans were ultimately scrapped in March 2024. Showtime did not comment on the un-renewal, but according to our sister site Deadline, the decision not to proceed with Season 2 came after months of redeveloping Uncoupled to “tailor it to the network’s sensibilities.”

VINYL (HBO)

Season 2 Ordered: Feb. 18, 2016

Season 2 Cancelled: June 22, 2016

Reasons Given: HBO did not offer a reason for the cancellation, merely stating at the time that “after careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of Vinyl.” There was, however, a change in leadership behind the scenes shortly after Vinyl had been renewed: Series creator Terence Winter stepped down as showrunner, citing creative differences, and would have been replaced by Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum).

WHY WOMEN KILL (Paramount+)

Season 3 Ordered: Dec. 15, 2021

Season 3 Cancelled: July 1, 2022

Reasons Given: “Paramount+ has made the difficult decision not to move forward with Season 3 of Why Women Kill,” a spokesperson for the streamer said in a statement. “We would like to thank our partners at CBS Studios and Imagine Television Studios, the amazing creator and showrunner Marc Cherry and the incredible writers, cast and crew for two memorable seasons.” A more specific reason for the cancellation was not offered.

YEAR OF THE RABBIT (IFC)

Season 2 Ordered: Feb. 11, 2020

Season 2 Cancelled: Jan. 21, 2021

Reasons Given: The Channel 4 Britcom’s six-episode sophomore run was “a victim of the devastating effects” of the COVID pandemic, an exec told Deadline. Co-producer IFC, which aired the series Stateside, was said to be looking for a new home for the show after its cancellation, but there have been no further updates.

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