It’s the best feeling when your favorite show ends with a sweetly satisfying conclusion. But what happens when it just … ends? From cruel cliffhangers to untold character arcs, read on for a list of canceled TV shows that deserve their very own book sequel.
Content Warning: This article contains spoilers about the shows discussed.
Trigger Warning: The themes of these shows include death, violence, gore, bullying, and teen substance use, which may be triggering for some readers. Please exercise personal care while reading and watching.
Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019, Netflix)
The horror-comedy Santa Clarita Diet premiered in 2017 on Netflix. The show chronicled the life of a regular couple, Sheila and Jole Hammond, living in the suburbs. But there’s a twist: Sheila becomes undead and develops an insatiable appetite for human flesh. Viewers watched for three seasons as the family scrambled to cover up Sheila’s deathly cravings, all the while navigating the everyday complexities of family life.
Unfortunately, there was no definitive conclusion, because the show was canceled after the third season. With Joel’s possession and Sheila biting him to save his life, it’d be great to see what unfolds. The book would have to pick up right where the finale left off, showcasing Joel’s inner monologue as the chaos unravels.
Better Off Ted (2009–2010, ABC)
Better Off Ted was a workplace satire about the soulless megacorporation Veridian Dynamics, which treated its employees like lab rats. The show was sharp and witty, satirising corporate culture. It lasted for two seasons before being canceled, but viewers were left without proper closure for many of their favorite characters.
If brought back in book form, it would have to feature the same absurd humor, twisty experiments, and maybe even take on an unconventional style. Think, crazy diagrams and a document-style layout. Fans would be bookishly reunited with Ted and his various misadventures.
Pushing Daisies (2007–2009, ABC)
Beginning in 2007, Pushing Daisies was a whimsical fantasy/mystery series about a kind-hearted pie-maker, Ned, who can bring back the dead with a simple touch. Things start to get a little complicated, though, when he accidentally revives an old crush. The series was recognisable for its quirky approach to storytelling and fairytale-style visuals. Sadly, it ended after only two seasons.
A book revival of Pushing Daisies would have to include the same storybook charm, lyrical narration, and magical realism that made the original show so endearing. Each chapter could feature a new mishap, as well as weave together Ned and Chuck’s romance. With witty wordplay, and elegant descriptions, the novel would feel straight out of the TV world.
Dead Like Me (2003–2004, Showtime)
Dead Like Me, Showtime’s dark comedy, followed a young woman, George Lass, who dies unexpectedly, and becomes a grim reaper responsible for guiding souls to the afterlife. The show was quirky and bittersweet, ending after only two seasons. It left behind many unanswered plot points and story arcs, which warrant their own book spin-off.
The book revamp could continue to follow George’s afterlife adventures, with further exploration into the lives of her fellow grim reapers. Maybe it could expand on the mythology of death in the show, revealing what it means to live a full life, even after death.
Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000, NBC)
A cult coming-of-age dramedy set in the early 1980s, Freaks and Geeks centered on two groups of high school misfits, as the title suggests, the “freaks” and the “geeks.” Despite being only a single season, it kick-started the careers of stars like James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Linda Cardellini. Unfortunately, fans were left wishing the show continued for longer.
An ideal follow-on book would have to pick up from the season finale, continuing the nostalgic, hopeful vibe much loved about the show. It would work well as a YA coming-of-age novel, each chapter depicting alternating points of view. Think, The Perks of Being a Wallflower meets Almost Famous.
Journeyman (2007, NBC)
Journeyman was a short-lived sci-fi drama about a man called Dan Vasser, a journalist who one day begins to time-travel. Each time he does so, he’s returned to different moments in his past, where he’s drawn to various people in life-altering ways. Unexpectedly, he reconnects with his former fiancée Livia, complicating his family life in the present.
After a single season, the show was cut, leaving its viewers with many unanswered questions, like who will Dan choose? And how did he even begin to time-travel in the first place? A bookish spin-off to the show would definitely have to trace those threads, and give fans of the show the closure they’ve been waiting for.
While television can leave us hanging, books have the power to pick up the pieces. They can give closure to unresolved arcs, and even reimagine the worlds we thought we lost. These canceled shows may never return to our screens, but on the page, their stories could live on, and maybe even find the endings fans have been waiting for.
Want to read more about the best canceled TV shows? Check out this article.
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