It seems like we don't get as many complex and interesting science fiction shows as we used to, like creators are apprehensive about taking bold swings with potentially complex concepts (just look at how watered down 3 Body Problem wound up being on Netflix). And who can blame them when many of this past decade's best and most promising sci-fi shows have resulted in early cancellations?
To be fair, Apple TV+ is still trying to provide ample sci-fi series between Severance, Foundation, and Silo, but it would be nice if there were more high-profile options between the various streamers. It made me start thinking about the sci-fi shows of the past and the ones I still think about all the time, wishing they hadn't been canceled so soon.
1. The Expanse
A grounded sci-fi show set in a near future where humans have populated the solar system but reamin as factional as ever, The Expanse had a rocky time during its six seasons, as the show originally started as a Syfy series before the network canceled it after three seasons. But then Amazon swooped in to save the day, renewing it and ultimately running it for an additional three seasons on Prime Video.
A six-season show in this day and age is nothing to turn your nose up at, but the thing is that The Expanse is based on a nine-book series by James S. A. Corey, and the series only covers the first six books and some novellas. That's still impressive, but it would have been nice to get the entire series adapted, especially because there aren't a lot of complex sci-fi series out there right now.
Still, what's there is solid, and at least the show ends during a natural breaking point in the story, rather than on a cliffhanger.
2. The OA
Brit Marling's incredible mind-bending series The OA was one of the earlier Netflix Originals, and it received tons of critical acclaim during its run, with many calling it one of the best sci-fi shows of all time. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled the series after its second season, which ended on a cliffhanger.
Nearly a decade later, people are still talking about this series, which revolved around a young woman (also played by Marling) who reappears after disappearing for seven years, now with the ability to see, despite being blind before she vanished.
3. Archive 81
Archive 81 is yet another Netflix Original series that was axed way too soon and ended on a huge cliffhanger. This sci-fi horror series was based on a podcast of the same name, but while the podcast ran for three seasons, Netflix ended the series after just one.
It's one of the few analog horror series out there. The story centers on Mamoudou Athie's character, a video archivist who unravels a mystery concerning a young woman's investigation of a dangerous cult back in 1994. Archive 81 is perfect for people who enjoy movies like Censor and Broadcast Signal Intrusion.
4. Raised by Wolves
I understand that Raised by Wolves supposedly had poor ratings and was likely expensive to produce, but, in my humble opinion, its cancellation will go down as one of Warner Bros.'s biggest mistakes. For starters, I think it was a mistake to host it exclusively on their streaming app, HBO Max, as it likely would have fared much better in HBO's Sunday night time slot. But then WB made it even worse by completely removing the show from the app altogether.
Raised by Wolves had such a unique and interesting concept; it follows two androids tasked with raising human kids on a distant planet after Earth becomes inhospitable following a war. It felt like we were really entering a cool new fictional world with plenty of room for the story to grow and expand in exciting directions. Unfortunately, we'll never get to see how the story would have ended had the writers been given more time.
5. Westworld
The quality of Westworld's storytelling has been the subject of many debates, but I think most people agree the show was still worth watching and felt unlike anything else airing on television. Based on the 1973 film of the same name, Westworld thrust viewers into a fictional, technologically advanced theme park populated by highly intelligent androids.
Much of the show's central premise revolves around these androids potentially becoming sentient and rebelling against their human creators. Westworld aired for four seasons and most people expected the show to at least get a fifth and final season, which is why the ending sets up a new story and leaves tons of storylines unfinished. To further rub salt in the wound, Warner Bros. also removed Westworld from HBO Max.
6. Sense8
Sense8 was a bold and inventive Netflix series from The Matrix creators Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Eight strangers from all over the world learn that they have mental and emotional connections to one another, making them something known as "sensates." Sense8 was an acclaimed series and garnered many accolades during its time.
Thanks to its prevalent queer characters and positive LGBTQIA+ themes, the show quickly accumulated a devoted fanbase who were devastated at its cancellation. The fan response and unresolved ending were enough that Netflix ended up producing a feature-length series finale, but it would have been nice to just have the show run a few more seasons.
7. Dollhouse
Dollhouse's cancellation stings hard because the series was cancelled before production on the second season was completed, meaning the writers had to quickly reconfigure the back half to ensure the ending had at least some semblance of closure.
Eliza Dushku was a highlight on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I was thrilled to see her leading a sci-fi show reuniting her with Buffy creator Joss Whedon. The premise revolved around a shady corporation utilizing "Actives," also referred to as "Dolls," which are basically individuals who can be reprogrammed at will and sent off to various clients for different reasons.
I think in our current era of AI and advanced technology, Dollhouse would have been a particularly timely series, especially if it had gotten to run for a few more seasons.
8. 1899
I'm still lamenting the cancellation of this fascinating genre-blending series from Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar, also known as the creators of Dark. In fact, their credentials alone should have been enough to warrant Netflix giving them at least one more season. Dark is one of the best sci-fi shows ever, and certainly one of the best on Netflix.
It's a shame we didn't get to see what would happen next after the twisted reveal at the end of the show concerning the true nature of the ship Kerberos. Unfortunately, it does seem like 1899 might have been expensive to produce, which likely led to its cancellation.
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