The saddest TV cancellations of 2024 (so far) (2024)

We’re more than halfway through 2024, and wouldn’t you know it?Broadcast networksandstreaming platformsare back at it again with crushing TV cancellations.

From shows axed by major networks like ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX, and NBC, to series abandoned by big streamers like Apple TV+, Prime Video, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount+, and Starz, the list of canceled 2024 shows grows larger every month. So we looked back at the first half of the year to survey the damage so far.

Of2024’s canceled TV shows, 11 casualties in particular shook the members of Team Decider to our cores, so we took a moment to share why we feel they deserved to return.

Remember: If your favorite canceled series didn’t make our list, that’s not to say it doesn’t deserve another season. Such a specific list is bound to exclude some underrated series, and despite our deep personal and professional obsessions with television, there’s always a chance we haven’t seen every show that got the axe this year.

We know you likely haven’t recovered from our Saddest TV Cancellations Of 2023 list yet, but whenever you’re ready, here are Team Decider’s saddest TV cancellations of 2024 (so far).

1. Our Flag Means Death (Max)

   

   When Team Decider published our list of2023’s best shows, I wrote aboutOur Flag Means Death’s kinder, gentler approach to love on the high seas — so imagine how devastated I was to find out that Max had canceled the beloved show after two seasons back in January. WhenOFMDpremiered in 2022, I was surprised by every twist and turn the show took as it subverted tropes and evolved beyond its basic premise. What seemed like a pretty standard ensemble comedy about pirates (starring Rhys Darby as the dandy “gentleman pirate” Stede Bonnet acting opposite Taika Waititi as the menacing Blackbeard) morphed into TV’s best queer rom-com so effortlessly, and I knew then that I was watching something special. That magic continued into the show’s second season as side characters got a chance to shine with expanded storylines, Stede and Blackbeard’s romance continued to evolve, and, of course, even more shenanigans ensued. I’ll miss catching up with the Revenge crew, but I’ll never forgetOur Flag Means Death’s overall message that (to quote myself) “love alone won’t save you, but believing in the people you love can set them on the right path.” — Angela Tricarico, Commerce Reporter

   WHERE TO WATCH Our flag means death

2. The Flight Attendant (Max)

   

   It’s been more than two years since Season 2 of Max’s comedic thriller The Flight Attendant aired its finale, but learning that we’d never be reuniting with Chaos Queen Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco), Zosia Mamet (Annie Mouradian), Griffin Matthews (Shane Evans), and the rest of the crew for another round of complex shenanigans still stung. Through showrunners Steve Yockey and Natalie Chaidez admittedly felt comfortable concluding the series, they also had ideas for Season 3, and I’d have tuned in again in a heartbeat to see another hot mess Cuoco performance. (Will we ever get a series with that many Kaley Cuocos again?!) Though I wish The Flight Attendant‘s trip hadn’t been cut short, I’m thankful for the wild ride and take comfort in Cuoco and Yockey’s positive words around the cancellation. “What started out as an attention-grabbing book cover quickly evolved into an extraordinary flight of a lifetime,” Cuoco said in a statement. “I always envisioned TFA as a limited series and thanks to an incredible creative team, we were able to deliver two thrilling seasons. Personally, playing Cassie has been a dream come true and I am so grateful for everyone who played a part in bringing this extremely original series to life.” Yockeyadded, “The Flight Attendant was a true passion project and the reception from viewers and critics alike was pretty stunning. Our unorthodox spectacle of a show really found people. As we all move on to new projects, those two seasons of television and the incredible team of professionals behind them will always stay at the top of my list.” In other news, Peaco*ck renewed Based On A True Story for Season 2, so at least Cuoco is returning to TV screens again soon.

   where to watch The flight attendant

3. The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+)

   

   Shortly after The Big Door Prize‘s Season 2 finale premiered in June, Apple TV+ canceled the endearing sci-fi comedy,based onM.O. Walsh’s novel of the same name. Season 2 took viewers back to Deerfield to witness the MORPHO machine’s mysterious “next stage” unfold, and while I ultimately found the sophom*ore season less compelling than the first, I’m sad we’ll never see The Big Door Prize achieve its full potential. The charming cast — featuring Chris O’Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, Sammy Fourlas, Djouliet Amara, Josh Segarra, and more —welcomed Succession‘s Justine Lupe in a delightful Season 2 move. The show’s wardrobe and set designers consistently impressed. And on top of delivering more intrigue, heart, and humor, Season 2 also left viewers on a major cliffhanger that will haunt me for the rest of time. Thanks, Apple TV! (P.S. Don’t you dare cancel Trying. I am FRAGILE.)

   where to watch the big door prize

4. Obliterated (Netflix)

   

   Our boyObliterateddeserved so much better. Created byCobra Kai’sJon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald, this fun homage to classic ’80s action flick had a simple yet entertaining plot — an elite special forces team is forced to thwart a deadly terrorist attack while drunk/hungover — and an endlessly charming ensemble that combined to create peak escapism. While the short-lived Netflix series certainly had a satisfying… climax (iykyk), the creators were open to a second season. It’s a shame Netflix said “last call” before Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald were able to deliver another round of weird, entertaining debauchery.— Josh Sorokach, Senior Entertainment Reporter

   Where to watch Obliterated

5. Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)

   

   As a lifelong musical theater geek,Schmigadoon!appealed to me from the very first note. The Apple TV+ comedy followed married couple Melissa (Cecily Strong) and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) after their attempt to reconnect with each other led them to a town where everything was ripped straight from a mashup of golden-age musicals — it’s notnot Brigadoon, you know? It’s a littleMusic Man, a littleSound of Music, with dashes of Oklahoma and Carousel. And in a second season, which aired last year, we caught up with Josh and Melissa in Schmicago, which, of course, was not exactlyChicagoand not quiteCabaret, but close enough. Featuring a top-notch ensemble of some of Broadway’s best and really unique takes on musical theater standards,Schmigadoon!was like a playground for theater nerds to dissect and break down every plot point and song to find the inspirationbehind it. The cancellation, announced in early January, stings even more now that we know what could have been — creator Cinco Paul recently shareda listof what musicals a Season 3 would have included. I’ll always be a little bummed that we never got to go “Into the Schmoods” with Josh and Melissa, but I’m thrilled the show will get to live on asa stage musical!— Angela Tricarico, Commerce Reporter

   Where to watch schmigadoon!

6. Outer Range (Prime Video)

   

   After a fantastic Season 2 that only advanced the brooding mystery at the center of this sci-fi western,Outer Rangewas unceremoniously canceled on Prime Video. The series stars Josh Brolin as a Wyoming rancher who discovers a dark void at the edge of his property. But in his efforts to hide the truth from his family, he ends up losing so much more.Outer RangeSeason 2 ended on a tense cliffhanger which means fans may never know the truth behind the void or those haunting visions of Royal’s missing granddaughter. There’s still time to stream it on Prime, but for now, there’s no telling how this promising series could have ended for the Abbott family. —Radhamely De Leon, News Reporter

   Where to watch Outer Range

7. All American: Homecoming (The CW)

   

   News broke last month thatAll American: Homecoming, the spin-off of the belovedAll Americanthat hit The CW in 2022, was beingaxedby the network following its third season. This is among several cancellations at The CW, includingSuperman & LoisandWalker. For those still reeling fromAll American: Homecoming’s cancellation, Season 3 is still in the midst of airing new episodes on Monday nights. — Alex Vena, News Reporter

   where to watch All American: Homecoming

8. Minx (Starz)

   

   The saucy Max series (which moved to Starz for a Season 2 after getting canceled the first time) tells the story of the ambitious Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond), a ’70s feminist who finds herself at the helm of a p*rnographic magazine run by Doug (a sleazy-yet-charming Jake Johnson, always displaying as much chest hair as his costumes will allow). Joyce and Doug form an unlikely union as they transform the outlet from a shady publication to an erotic magazine for women. WhileMinxboasted two superstar leads with undeniable chemistry, it also stuck out for its stellar ensemble cast, including Lennon Parham, Jessica Lowe and Oscar Montoya — not to mention some killer guest stars like Taylor Zakhar Perez, Gillian Jacobs and Amy Landecker. Minxwas gone too soon…again! — Greta Bjornson, Trending News Editor

   where to watch Minx

9. Scavengers Reign (Max)

   

   Reminiscent ofAnnihilationandJurassic Park, Max’sScavenger’s Reignwas a complicated show unlike most other contemporary adult animation series. After the Demeter 227 crashes onto the mysterious planet of Vesta, the ship crew must fight to survive a hostile environment they know nothing about.Scavenger’s Reignwas singular in its animation style and art direction, and it’s a shame to think we’ll never see this complimented cast of characters again. There arerumorsthat Netflix may rescue this series for a second season, so let’s cross our fingers. —Radhamely De Leon, News Reporter

   Where to watch Scavengers Reign

10. Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+)

    

    All good things must come to an end, but sometimes, I wish they didn’t have to. In April 2024, Paramount+ confirmed thatStar Trek: Lower Decks, the firstanimated Trek show to air since 1974, would be ending after its upcoming fifth season. I should be happy that we’ve gotten four great seasons with one more on the way (and I am!), but I’m also sad that once that season is over, we won’t get to go on chaotic adventures with Mariner (Tawny Newsom) and Boimler (Jack Quaid) anymore. While so much ofStar Trekcanon lets viewers acquaint themselves with the Kirks, Spocks, and Picards of Starfleet (a.k.a. the people that have a permanent place on the bridge of a starship),Lower Decksfocused primarily on junior crewmembers aboardone of Starfleet’s less important ships. As typicalStar Treksci-fi plots go down on the bridge in the background of each episode, the show follows four ensigns (lieutenants by Season 4) as they simply try to get through the day doing their menial support jobs despite the chaos happening in the background. The first true comedy in theStar Trekuniverse was here for a good time, I just want it here for a longer time, too.— Angela Tricarico, Commerce Reporter

    where to watch star trek: lower decks

11. Death and Other Details (Hulu)

    

    Death and Other Detailswas far from being the perfect show but it was certainly fun to watch. Mandy Patinkin plays a private detective tasked with solving a string of murders aboard a luxury ship that somehow relates to the one case he was never able to solve: The death of Imogene Scott’s mother. The show certainly had its flaws but it was buoyed by the interesting character backstories and an extremely attractive cast. Not to mention, Season 1 ended with the promise of a new mystery gang that we will never get to see in action! The real crime ofDeath and Other Detailsis that we will never see those co-stars together again, as they all seemed to be having a ball on this soapy murder mystery. If we can haveKnives Out,Glass Onion, and the several other iterations that are likely being developed in Hollywood as we speak, what’s the harm in making one more season ofDeath and Other Details? —Radhamely De Leon, News Reporter

    WHERE TO WATCH DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS