In today’s media landscape, cancellations feel more commonplace than ever. It seems like, more often than not, shows don’t even make it past their first season, especially on streaming sites, or they’ve been canceled before we’ve even had a chance to watch them. Whatever the reason for their cancellations, it’s a shame when a good series doesn’t get a chance to be appreciated before it’s axed by networks.
It’s worth noting that many of the shows on this list featured queer characters, storylines, or actors. This continues an unfortunate ongoing trend, documented by GLAAD, of the diminishing queer representation in media.
Now, let’s look back at 2024’s surprising cancellations that certainly weren’t on our bingo cards.
Our Flag Means Death
Our Flag Means Death is a comedy series set in the age of piracy, following Stede Bonnet, a wealthy man who leaves it all behind to become a rather mediocre pirate. He slowly gains the trust and respect of his ragtag crew, all while forming a friendship-turned-relationship with the iconic Blackbeard.
The show gained popularity quickly after the debut of its first season due to its humor and varied and realistic queer representation. After its second season aired in October 2023, the show was canceled in January 2024. It’s hard to know why, as ratings are not readily accessible, but its large presence on social media made it clear it was popular. Creator David Jenkins had already spoken about ending on a third season, which made the cancelation even more surprising. Jenkins attempted to find a new network, with the help of fans who rallied online, but the show was unable to find one and was officially dead by March 2024.
Kaos
Kaos premiered on Netflix on August 29th and was quickly canceled on October 8th. The comedy show is a modern-day take on Greek mythology. In it, Zeus has chained Prometheus to a cliffside for disobeying him, and Prometheus, following a prophecy, aims to free himself and overthrow Zeus.
According to Variety, Kaos was in Netflix’s Top 10 list for four weeks and peaked at number three for English-language TV shows as well. Its viewership reached 5.9 million views, but that simply was not enough for Netflix, who felt the views weren’t as high as they should’ve been. Despite having big names in its cast, like Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer, and popularity, the show didn’t get to continue.
Good Omens
Good Omens, based on the novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, depicts the unlikely relationship between the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley as they aim to protect the human world they’ve each come to love so much. Though it was originally planned to be just one season, the show’s popularity and Gaiman’s newfound inspiration led to a second season, with a third planned.
While Good Omens is not suffering a typical cancellation, its final third season has been cut short at no fault of its own. Instead of a full season, it will now end with one 90-minute episode. Good Omens is a unique case; the show’s full season has been canceled because of recent sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman, who has since exited the show. Despite these awful circumstances, it is nice that fans will at least get closure with the final episode.
The Acolyte
Set 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, during the High Republic era, The Acolyte follows Osha, a former Padawan that was separated from her twin as a child, and Sol, a well-respected Jedi master. The two reconnect after many years. Together, they investigate a series of crimes that leads them to a highly dangerous warrior Sol once knew.
Because of the Star Wars franchise’s longstanding popularity, it’s hard to imagine any of its media not doing well. However, that’s exactly what happened with The Acolyte, which aired June 4th and was canceled on August 19th. Despite its star-studded cast, the show itself didn’t have great fan reactions, earning a 4.2 on IMDb. It also didn’t have strong viewer retention; it was ranked 7th on Nielsen’s Top 10 chart but plummeted out of the chart completely by its third week. With one of the highest costs of any Star Wars show, it becomes clear why the plug was pulled on The Acolyte after just one season.
Low ratings and cost are often the reasons so many shows get canceled, but with how quickly they get axed, maybe there’s more to it than that. Whatever the reason, it’s unfortunate to lose a beloved show or one that had so much potential. Hopefully, 2025 television gets a better chance to shine before its series get taken to the chopping block.
Check out this article to read about another queer show canceled before its time.
Find some great reads-turned-TV-shows on Bookshop.org.
