Every Netflix TV Show Cancelled Way Too Early

Some series arrive with strong casts, inventive ideas, and passionate audiences, only to stop after a season or two. It happens across genres, from science fiction to teen dramas to animated musicals, and it can leave viewers searching for closure that never comes. When a show ends abruptly, the story threads stay dangling and the production details become the last word on what might have been.

This roundup looks at Netflix titles that ended sooner than expected. You’ll find concise production facts, release timelines, and cancellation notes for each entry. Where relevant, we’ve also included creators, episode counts, and other concrete details that give a clear picture of each series’ life on the platform, which served as the original network and global distributor for these shows.

‘The OA’ (2016–2019)

Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, this mystery drama premiered on December 16, 2016 and ran for two parts totaling 16 episodes. It followed a woman who returned after a seven-year disappearance with new abilities and a complex story about interdimensional travel, with production spanning locations in New York and California.

Netflix released both parts worldwide and announced the show’s cancellation in August 2019. The series had completed scripts for a planned third part, and the creative team had discussed a five-part roadmap in interviews before production ceased.

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

This science-fiction series from Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski debuted on June 5, 2015. Filmed across more than a dozen cities including Seoul, Mumbai, Nairobi, and Berlin, it followed eight strangers who share a psychic link, with a main cast that performed on location in the featured countries.

Netflix streamed two seasons and later produced a feature-length finale special released in June 2018. The cancellation was announced after season two, with the special commissioned to resolve major plotlines for the global audience on the same network.

‘GLOW’ (2017–2019)

Inspired by the 1980s Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, this comedy-drama launched on June 23, 2017 from creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, and the production designed period-accurate costumes and sets to recreate mid-80s television aesthetics.

Netflix renewed the series for a fourth and final season in August 2019, then reversed course in October 2020 due to pandemic-related constraints. As the commissioning network, Netflix ended the show after 30 episodes, leaving the planned final season unproduced.

‘The Society’ (2019)

Christopher Keyser’s teen mystery premiered on May 10, 2019 with a single 10-episode season. Filming occurred in Massachusetts towns such as Lancaster and Lexington, with the story centered on high schoolers who return from a trip to find their town cut off from the outside world.

Netflix initially renewed the series in July 2019, then canceled it in August 2020, citing COVID-19 scheduling and budget issues as the original network managing production logistics.

‘Everything Sucks!’ (2018)

Set in 1996 Oregon, this coming-of-age dramedy was created by Ben York Jones and Michael Mohan and premiered on February 16, 2018. It filmed in Oregon with a 10-episode first season and featured original and licensed music to capture the mid-90s setting.

Netflix canceled the show in April 2018 after one season. The platform served as the sole network and distributor, and no further episodes were ordered.

‘Teenage Bounty Hunters’ (2020)

Created by Kathleen Jordan and produced by Jenji Kohan, this 10-episode series debuted on August 14, 2020. Principal photography took place in Georgia, following twin sisters who work as high school students and part-time bail recovery apprentices.

Netflix canceled the show in October 2020. As the commissioning network, Netflix did not proceed with a second season following its initial release window.

‘Santa Clarita Diet’ (2017–2019)

This horror-comedy from Victor Fresco premiered on February 3, 2017 and ran for three seasons totaling 30 episodes. Production was based in Southern California, and the show combined suburban satire with episodic genre elements.

Netflix canceled the series in April 2019. The streaming service functioned as both the network and global distributor, concluding the run after its third season.

‘1899’ (2022)

From the creators of ‘Dark’, this multilingual mystery launched on November 17, 2022. It utilized virtual production with LED volume stages at Studio Babelsberg in Germany, enabling complex ocean and period visuals over eight episodes.

Netflix announced cancellation in January 2023 after one season. The show released exclusively on Netflix worldwide as its network, with no additional episodes commissioned.

‘Archive 81’ (2022)

Based on the podcast by Daniel Powell and Marc Sollinger, this eight-episode supernatural series premiered on January 14, 2022. The production used New Jersey and New York locations, interweaving found-footage elements with present-day investigation.

Netflix canceled the series in March 2022 after its initial season. The platform served as the commissioning network and exclusive distributor for the adaptation.

‘The Midnight Club’ (2022)

Created by Mike Flanagan and Leah Fong and adapted from Christopher Pike’s work, this series debuted on October 7, 2022 with 10 episodes. Filmed primarily in British Columbia, it focused on terminally ill teens who meet nightly to share stories.

Netflix canceled the show in December 2022. The streamer acted as the network of record and did not move forward with additional production.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

This live-action adaptation of the 1998 anime premiered on November 19, 2021. The season comprised 10 episodes filmed in New Zealand, with original composer Yoko Kanno returning to contribute music.

Netflix canceled the series less than a month after release in December 2021. The platform served as the network and global home for the adaptation.

‘Jupiter’s Legacy’ (2021)

Based on the comic by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, this superhero saga premiered on May 7, 2021. Season one featured eight episodes produced under the Millarworld banner, with extensive visual effects for multi-decade timelines.

Netflix paused the main series in June 2021 and released a related spinoff, repurposing the franchise under the same network umbrella. No second season of the original show was ordered.

‘American Vandal’ (2017–2018)

A true-crime satire created by Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, this mockumentary debuted on September 15, 2017 and ran for two seasons totaling 16 episodes. It used a documentary filmmaking style with scripted interviews and staged evidence.

Netflix canceled the series in October 2018. The show’s distribution remained Netflix-exclusive during its run as the producing network.

‘The Get Down’ (2016–2017)

Baz Luhrmann’s musical drama launched in two parts beginning August 12, 2016. Set in late-1970s New York City, it combined archival footage with narrative storytelling and featured extensive music production and choreography.

Netflix canceled the show in May 2017 after 11 episodes. The platform was the commissioning network and retained global rights throughout its release.

‘Julie and the Phantoms’ (2020)

This musical series from director Kenny Ortega premiered on September 10, 2020 with nine episodes. Filming took place in Vancouver, and the soundtrack released alongside the series through standard digital platforms.

Netflix announced cancellation in December 2021. The show streamed solely on Netflix, which acted as the network and international distributor.

‘Away’ (2020)

Created by Andrew Hinderaker and executive produced by Jason Katims, this space drama premiered on September 4, 2020. It followed a multi-national Mars mission over 10 episodes, with production split between California and British Columbia.

Netflix canceled the series in November 2020. The streaming service functioned as the original network and did not order a second season.

‘Messiah’ (2020)

This thriller created by Michael Petroni debuted on January 1, 2020 with 10 episodes. Production spanned multiple countries, including Jordan and the United States, and the story depicted global reactions to a mysterious figure.

Netflix canceled the series in March 2020. The platform was the commissioning network and maintained exclusive streaming rights.

‘The Irregulars’ (2021)

A supernatural take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s world, this series premiered on March 26, 2021 with eight episodes. It filmed in Liverpool and the northwest of England, using period locations to recreate Victorian London.

Netflix canceled the show in May 2021. The streamer acted as the network, and no additional episodes were produced after the initial season.

‘Lockwood & Co.’ (2023)

Adapted from Jonathan Stroud’s novels, this British production debuted on January 27, 2023. The eight-episode season filmed in London and Gloucestershire, centered on independent teen ghost hunters operating without adult supervision.

Netflix canceled the series in May 2023. The show released globally through Netflix as its network, and development on a follow-up season did not proceed.

‘Warrior Nun’ (2020–2022)

Based on the comic by Ben Dunn, this fantasy action series premiered on July 2, 2020. Production for the two seasons covered locations in Spain and Portugal, featuring choreography-heavy set pieces and religious-artifact plotlines.

Netflix canceled the series in December 2022 after two seasons. The title originated as a Netflix original, with the platform serving as its network during the series run.

‘I Am Not Okay with This’ (2020)

From creators Jonathan Entwistle and Christy Hall, this coming-of-age supernatural series debuted on February 26, 2020 with seven episodes. It was produced in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and adapted from Charles Forsman’s graphic novel.

Netflix ended the show in August 2020 after previously moving toward renewal, citing pandemic-driven cost uncertainties. The series streamed exclusively on Netflix, which acted as the network.

‘One Day at a Time’ (2017–2019)

This reimagining of the 1975 sitcom premiered on January 6, 2017 with 39 episodes across three seasons at Netflix. The production was a multi-camera setup filmed before a live audience, with Norman Lear serving as executive producer.

Netflix canceled the show in March 2019 following its third season. The series later aired a fourth season on another outlet, but its original network for the first three seasons was Netflix.

‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ (2020–2021)

Based on Ann M. Martin’s novels, this family series launched on July 3, 2020. It delivered two seasons totaling 18 episodes, with production in Vancouver and a focus on contemporary updates to the source material.

Netflix canceled the show in March 2022. The platform served as the commissioning network and maintained worldwide streaming rights during its run.

‘Inside Job’ (2021–2022)

An adult animated workplace comedy from Shion Takeuchi, this series premiered on October 22, 2021. Season one rolled out in two parts for a total of 18 episodes, with animation production handled by Titmouse.

Netflix reversed an earlier renewal and canceled the show in January 2023. The streamer released the series globally as its network and did not proceed with a second season order.

‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)

Adapted from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, this fantasy series debuted on April 23, 2021. It produced two seasons with filming in Hungary and additional work in locations such as Croatia and Morocco, supported by large-scale set builds and VFX.

Netflix canceled the series in November 2023. As the commissioning network, Netflix retained distribution and concluded the production after its second season.

If we missed a favorite that ended too soon, share the title in the comments so everyone can compare notes.