We're Still Not Over the Cancellation of These 30 Short-Lived TV Shows

Based on Simon Rich’s book of short stories, The Last Girlfriend on Earth, this FXX surrealist romantic comedy stars Jay Baruchel as Josh, a shy 20-something attempting to find love after a rough breakup. Despite universal acclaim from critics, the series was canceled after three incredible seasons in 2017.

Set 500 years in the future, this sci-fi series follows a rebellious crew of space pirates in the fallout of a universal civil war. If it sounds weird, that’s because it is (but in the best kind of way), and we still haven’t forgiven Fox for letting this one go in 2003 after only one season.

What happens when eight strangers around the globe find themselves mysteriously connected both emotionally and physically? That’s the premise of Sense8, and the sci-fi series quickly earned a cult following – though that didn’t stop Netflix from canceling the show in 2018 after its cliffhanger season two finale.

Claire Danes stars in this angsty teen drama as Angela, who has a major crush on a guy, a ton of attitude, and all the usual drama of a 1990s high schooler. ABC unwisely decided to end this one in 1995 after one season, and FYI: you guys made a mistake.

This true crime mockumentary revolves around amateur filmmakers Peter and Sam as they take on teenage deviants – such as the phallic-symbol-tagging prankster and the mystery “Turd Burglar” – at local high schools. It may sound bizarre in premise, but it was smart and wholly unique, which is why it was so disappointing when it was canceled by Netflix in 2018 after a two-season run.

Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, this Canadian drama captured the hearts of fans as it told the story of the titular Anne, an orphan who finally finds a home with two adult siblings. In 2019, CBC and Netflix announced that the series wouldn’t be returning for a fourth installment, and no, we’re still not over it.

This Judd Apatow-created series revolves around six students at the fictitious University of North Eastern California, following all the highs, lows, and hijinks of the college experience. Why did Fox decide to cancel this one in 2002 after just a single season? The world may never know.

This police procedural drama revolves around private pathologist Dr. Beaumont Rosewood and his partner in crime, the badass Detective Annalise Villa. Despite receiving praise for its diverse cast and incredible storytelling, Fox pulled the plug on Rosewood in 2017 after a mere two seasons.

Netflix’s delightful Santa Clarita Diet stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel, a married couple with a dark secret: Sheila has a craving for human flesh. Netflix decided in 2019 not to renew the comedy for a fourth season, but fans are still holding out hope that another network will revive the series.

In the world of Dead Like Me, certain people are given a special opportunity after dying: they get the option to become grim reapers. The Showtime comedy-drama is totally unique and earned plenty of critical acclaim, but the reaper came far too soon for this one, ending the series in 2004 after a short two-season run.

In this Lifetime series, Ghost Whisperer star and ’90s dream girl Jennifer Love Hewitt plays a Texas housewife who was deserted by her husband and strapped for cash. She discovers that her new job at a day spa could be made much more lucrative, depending on what she’s willing to do for her clients. This one ran for two seasons before getting the axe in 2013, despite ending with a major cliffhanger.

This ABC Family drama tells the story of aspiring journalist April who – just when she receives an exciting opportunity at work – also gets diagnosed with cancer. Even though April’s story was far from finished after season two, the network decided to end the series for good in 2015, spoiling any chance of a third season.

Another Judd Apatow-created series that ended way too soon: Freaks and Geeks. The sitcom follows a group of nerds and burnouts growing up in 1980s Michigan, and even though it got the axe from NBC after a single season in 2000, it helped launch the careers of several cast members, including James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Busy Philipps, John Francis Daley, Martin Starr, and Linda Cardellini, among others.

This mind-bending sci-fi series tells the story of Prairie, a young woman who returns home without warning after a mysterious seven-year disappearance. Netflix sadly ended The OA in 2019 after only two seasons, despite all the positive feedback it received from both fans and critics.

Amber Tamblyn stars in this fantasy drama as the titular Joan, a teenage girl who’s inexplicably given tasks by God, though she’s never given an explanation for the seemingly random assignments. The end of season two introduced a menacing new character, but fans never got to find out the character’s purpose, as CBS canceled the series in 2005 despite critical acclaim.

Based on the book of the same name by Candace Bushnell, this Sex and the City prequel series stars AnnaSophia Robb as a young Carrie Bradshaw and follows her journey from a high school student with big dreams to a force to be reckoned with at Interview magazine. Though not all critics were on board with the CW series, the show’s loyal fan base was beyond bummed when the series was canceled in 2014 after two seasons.

This drama series revolves around brothers Jack and Bobby McCallister, one of whom will go on to become the president of the United States in 2040 – but since the series takes place in 2004, the brothers have no idea what lies ahead. Critics raved about the series, which is why no one could figure out why The WB said goodbye to the McCallisters in 2005 after only one season.

Rob Lowe stars in this Fox comedy series as an actor who returns to his home state of Idaho after his long-running TV series ends and decides to become a lawyer, considering himself qualified since he played one on TV. The cast is perfection, the jokes are hilarious, and yet the show was only given a single season before facing cancellation in 2016.

This Ryan Murphy-produced satirical slasher series revolves around the fictitious Wallace University and a vicious serial killer, who decides to make the sorority sisters of Kappa Kappa Tau his target. Despite the incredibly stacked cast, Fox failed to renew this one for a third season in 2017, though fans are still holding out hope that Murphy will find Scream Queens a new home for season three.

Set in the South Bronx region of NYC in the late 1970s, this musical drama series follows a group of teens who experience the rise of hip-hop and disco music firsthand. The energetic cast and catchy music earned this one lots of fans, but that didn’t stop Netflix from canceling the series in 2017 after its first season.

Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (who also created Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), this ABC Family dramedy stars Sutton Foster as a former Las Vegas showgirl who – after getting married on a whim – ends up teaching ballet lessons at her new mother-in-law’s dance studio. Don’t ask us why this fabulous series was canceled in 2013 after just one season, because we don’t have an answer.

This comedy series follows three very different brothers who all enlist in the US Army and end up assigned to the same unit together. Fans and TV writers pleaded with Fox after the network decided to cancel the series after a single season in 2014, but sadly, this one wasn’t given a second chance.