We’ve all had shows we’ve loved and followed for years, only to be left devastated when they’re cancelled. While the occasional cancellation is to be expected, there are some that leave us truly surprised and shocked. This blog post takes a look at 10 television shows that were shockingly cancelled despite their success and popularity with fans. From beloved sitcoms to big budget dramas, these shows were all taken off the air far too soon. Keep reading to find out which shows made this list.
1) 10. ‘1600 Penn’
A sitcom starring Jenna Elfman, 1600 Penn was cancelled by NBC in 2013 after one season. Critics said the show had potential, but it ultimately failed to find a large enough audience. The show, which followed a dysfunctional First Family as they navigated life in the White House, was praised for its witty writing and clever jokes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save the show.
2) 9. ‘Last Man Standing’
Tim Allen’s hit sitcom was cancelled after six seasons on ABC. Despite strong ratings, the show was unexpectedly axed, much to the dismay of fans. The show was eventually picked up by Fox for a seventh season. Fans were thrilled, and the show is still running today. It goes to show that you can’t always predict which shows will survive and which won’t.
3) 8. ‘Roseanne’
The popular family sitcom ‘Roseanne’ was surprisingly cancelled in 2018 after its lead actor, Roseanne Barr, sent a series of offensive tweets. The series was then re-tooled as ‘The Conners’, featuring the same characters but with Barr’s character written out. Despite the success of ‘The Conners’, fans were still sad to see ‘Roseanne’ go.
4) 7. ‘One Day at a Time’
This beloved comedy series was sadly cancelled after three seasons. The show was about a Cuban-American family and starred Justina Machado, Isabella Gomez, and Rita Moreno. After the cancellation, fans and cast members alike were devastated. The hashtag #saveodaat even trended on Twitter! Thankfully, the show was picked up by a different network and aired a fourth season.
5) 6. ‘Timeless’
This time-travel series was cancelled twice by NBC, once in 2017 and again in 2018. Despite its popularity, the network eventually decided it was not worth the cost of production. Fans were outraged and an online petition for the show’s renewal had over 200,000 signatures. After two seasons, the series came to an abrupt end, but was given a two-hour finale to wrap up its storylines.
6) 5. ‘Designated Survivor’
Kiefer Sutherland starred in this political thriller as Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes President of the United States after a terrorist attack kills everyone in the government’s line of succession. Despite the show’s critical acclaim, it was cancelled after two seasons.
7) 4. ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
This fan-favorite police sitcom was cancelled in 2018 after five seasons on Fox, shocking viewers and cast alike. Thankfully, NBC saved the day and picked up the show for a sixth season. It continues to bring laughs to viewers with its zany characters, witty writing, and heartwarming storylines. With its critical and commercial success, it’s no wonder Brooklyn Nine-Nine continues to be a fan-favorite comedy.
8) 3. ‘The Mick’
Starring Kaitlin Olson, ‘The Mick’ was a hilarious sitcom about an irresponsible woman who had to take care of her wealthy sister’s children. Despite being popular with fans, the show was cancelled after two seasons. The sudden cancellation was a shock to the show’s loyal fans, and a huge loss for the world of comedy.
9) 2. ‘Last Resort’
This military drama series starring Andre Braugher was canceled after just one season in 2013. The series followed the crew of a U.S. nuclear submarine who are forced to become international fugitives after refusing to fire missiles. Despite its short run, the series still managed to gain a cult following. Fans were surprised and disappointed when the show was canceled, and even to this day still clamor for a second season.
10) 1. ‘The Expanse’
This science fiction show about a colonized Solar System was critically acclaimed but cancelled after its third season. It had a loyal fanbase who protested its cancellation, but ultimately the show was axed by Syfy. It was eventually picked up by Amazon Prime and is now one of their most popular shows. This just goes to show that a show’s popularity isn’t always enough to save it from cancellation.