We all know that horrible, gut-wrenching feeling that washes over us the moment a cancellation is announced. It's the kind of news that makes your stomach drop and your heart ache in ways only a true fan can understand.
Sometimes you see it coming, and other times, it comes out of nowhere, blindsiding you and leaving you stunned and scrambling for answers. You then start to think about all the potential ways in which the show could continue. Nowadays, it's not uncommon for another network or streaming giant to swoop in and rescue a beloved series from the brink.
In this article, we're taking a stroll down memory lane to revisit four incredible fantasy shows that were canceled way too soon and that Netflix should've given a second chance.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
Besides Lovecraft Country just being a good show, what made its cancellation hurt even more is the fact that it was in development on a second season. Although this wasn't an official renewal, there were clear indications that the story had so much more to give. HBO boss Casey Bloys had even stated that the show's creator had started writing and was in the planning stage for a second season.
This just gave fans all the hope that a Lovecraft Country season 2 could happen. But unfortunately, HBO decided not to go forward with a second installment in the end. Its cancellation is still one that hurts to this day.
Lovecraft Country is a fantasy series adapted from Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel of the same name. The show follows Atticus “Tic” Freeman, a young Black Korean War veteran, as he navigates 1950s Jim Crow-era America, facing both real-world racism and terrifying supernatural forces, all while trying to find his missing father.
Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance, Wunmi Mosaku, Abbey Lee, Jamie Chung, Jada Harris, and Michael K. Williams made up the cast.
The Secret Circle (2011-2012)
We know The Secret Circle came out before Netflix was in its "saving shows" era, but man, do we believe that it would've been a hit with subscribers if it were given that chance. A show about a group of teenage witches discovering their powers and facing dark forces would've easily found a devoted audience on Netflix.
It's such a bummer that the show was canceled before it could reach its full potential. Apparently, ratings went down in the second half of the first season, which is why The CW decided to cancel the teen fantasy drama.
The cast was made up of talented actors such as Britt Robertson, Thomas Dekker, Gale Harold, Phoebe Tonkin, Shelley Hennig, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Ashley Crow, Louis Hunter, Natasha Henstridge, and Chris Zylka.
American Gods (2016-2021)
American Gods was daring, provocative, and unlike anything else on television. That's one huge reason why its cancellation stung so deeply. Imagine being swept into a world where ancient deities roam the highways of modern America. That's what American Gods gave us. Each episode kept you on the edge of your seat, wondering who would survive, who would betray whom next, and what impossible twist awaited around the corner.
Sure, it had its moments that were chaotic, strange, or even downright confusing. But that’s exactly what made it so thrilling. Unfortunately, it was axed by Starz in March 2021 after three seasons due to a combination of declining ratings, behind-the-scenes conflict, and growing fan frustration over inconsistent storytelling.
American Gods centers on Shadow Moon, an ex-convict who becomes the bodyguard and reluctant companion of the mysterious Mr. Wednesday. As Shadow travels across America with Wednesday, he discovers a hidden world where the Old Gods are clashing with the New Gods. Ricky Whittle took on the lead role of Shadow Moon. Also in the cast were Emily Browning, Crispin Glover, Bruce Langley, Yetide Badaki, Pablo Schreiber, Ian McShane, Orlando Jones, and others.
The Wheel of Time (2021-2025)
Out of all of the cancellations on this list, The Wheel of Time is the most recent one. It reportedly got the boot from Prime Video after three seasons due to declining viewership. Of course, its cancellation caused an uproar among fans with many hoping that another streaming service would pick it up. However, producers ultimately decided not to shop the fantasy series around.
The Wheel of Time is based on the bestselling fantasy book series by Robert Jordan. It revolves around Moiraine Damodred, a member of the powerful Aes Sedai, as she embarks on a dangerous journey to find the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied hero who has the power to either save or destroy the world. Rosamund Pike starred as Moiraine. The cast also included Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Josha Stradowski, Kate Fleetwood, Priyanka Bose, and so many others.