How many times have we reached a series for which we had no references from anyone, we have seen it, we have enjoyed it, we have recommended it to friends so that, suddenly, we find out that the platform that produced it has decided to cancel it. But… if it was great, what happened?
The streaming war, where four major companies are fighting for the throne of subscriptions, has a very positive side: More projects greenlit than ever. Movies and series that would never have had a chance on traditional television get the budget and money to come true.
For this reason, in recent years we have seen new stories, new situations and scripts that have surprised us with their freshness and daring. When there is a lot of money to create audiovisual works, the viewers are the first to win.
But just as they come, they go. The series have become the easiest pawns to sacrifice when it comes to changing strategy, cutting budget or changing approach. No matter how successful a series is, if something doesn’t fit in the offices on duty, it doesn’t take long to disappear.
And if any of the big companies has a reputation for being worse than the Grim Reaper herself, that’s Netflix. The American streaming giant is the platform that launches the most series per year, but also the one that stars in the most cancellations. It is one of lime and another of sand. Today we talk about the ones we miss the most.
The 6 series canceled by Netflix that we miss the most
The Last Kingdom
It is the year 872, almost all the kingdoms that we know today as England have been invaded by the Vikingsonly the great kingdom of Wessex remains impregnable and defiant under King Alfred the Great.
It is in this turbulent context that Uhtred lives. After his parents, noble Saxons, were killed by invaders, he was captured and raised as one of them. Forced to choose between his origins and the people he grew up with, his loyalty will always be tested.
In the absence of Vikings, this historical Netflix series knew how to conquer fans around the world, and proof of this are the five seasons that the platform premiered before canceling it forever. If you like the historical context and the battles between warriors, it is a must.
This 2022 premiered its last season, thus ending the adventures of Uhtred, the half-Saxon, half-Nordic. Luckily, even if they are canceled series, Netflix keeps them on its service, so you can watch it as many times as you want.
- Title: The Last Kingdom
- Release date: 2015
- Duration: 59 minute episodes
- Platform: Netflix
Glow
In 1980s Los Angeles, a group of misfits become popular wrestlers. Desperate to launch her acting career, Ruth attends a casting call at a Los Angeles gym. But she soon realizes that this is not your typical audition.
Thus, the young unemployed actress keeps her dream alive by getting the role of a fighter alongside other women. This series was a real bombshell, a revelation. If before we said that the streaming war had brought truly original series to light, this is the perfect example.
During the three years it was on the air, it won nominations for all kinds of awards, Emmys, Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild… but did not win any prize. Even so, it was clear that the quality was undeniable and the idea was carried very well on the small screen.
As you can imagine, since today’s topic is not about happy endings, Netflix canceled the series when the third season premiered in 2019. If you want to enjoy the 30 chapters that are posted on the platform, don’t waste any more time, just click a little further down.
- Title:glow
- Release date: 2017
- Duration: 31 minute episodes
- Platform: Netflix
file 81
Dan Turner is an activist who gets a mysterious new job restoring an old video collection from 1994. This leads him to piece together documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras’ past job and her investigation into a dangerous cult.
Here we talk about the success that was being around the world, despite the fact that the series was deflating as the end approached. It had a good script, it was quite scary and the actors gave freshness to their roles (thing to see new faces).
The series worked for several reasons. First, because it was difficult to define the style of the series. In essence it belongs to the aforementioned genre of found footage, but it has phases of thriller, drama and criminal investigation.
And second, because the plot of Archive 81 is based on a podcast of the same name, Archive 81, created by Marc Sollinger and Daniel Powell, who are also co-producers on the series. That is why it is such a unique and well-run production. On Netflix it didn’t get past the first season.
- Title: File 81
- Release date: 2022
- Duration: 56 minute episodes
- Platform: Netflix
The OA
The story begins when Prairie Johnson, a blind girl who disappeared seven years ago, reappears in her town with her sight restored. A miracle for some, a freak for others, the fact is that Prairie, who calls himself OA, decides not to tell where he was these seven years.
Neither his parents, nor the FBI, only five people from the town, a select few who will understand where he comes from: from beyond the unknown, from the threshold of a world never seen before… This original series managed to hook millions of viewers around the world.
Like the rest of the list, the success of the series was not enough for Netflix not to charge it as soon as the piston went down. The work was divided into two parts, with 8 chapters each, and tells everything that we will ever know about OA and the world beyond the known.
Some still ask for his return, but Netflix is not up to the task, and even less so it has been canceled for three years. You may miss her, but you have to look forward, we will get out of this, I assure you.
- Title: The O.A.
- Release date: 2016
- Duration: 60 minute episodes
- Platform: Netflix
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
The series is a return to the world of Thra, but with a new adventure: when three Gelfling discover the horrible secret behind the power of the Skeksis, they embark on an epic journey to light the fires of rebellion and save their world.
Netflix dared to turn one of the most iconic adventure, magic and animation films of the 80s into a series. Despite this, the company did not hesitate to cancel it shortly after it was released, hence there is only one season. And it sure sounds familiar to you because we recently recommended it on another list.
The series is 10 episodes of almost an hour long, so if you liked the original work, you can’t let the series pass, no matter how much Netflix canceled it. In this case in a very bloody way: he canceled it after lifting an Emmy award hours before.
This one sure doesn’t look like it’s going to come back from the dead, so enjoy the ten chapters that Netflix paid for and take it to heart. Your inner child will thank you.
- Title: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
- Release date: 2019
- Duration: 48 minute episodes
- Platform: Netflix
mindhunter
Two FBI agents revolutionize investigative techniques to find the answers to how to catch serial killers and psychopathic minds. To do this they will have to study, visit and interview the worst psychopaths in the United States. The prize will be worth it.
We have left the best series on the list for last, since we are talking about Mindhunter, a masterpiece of the audiovisual in which David Fincher left his mark, although the creator is Joe Penhall.
An adult series, daring, intense and very unpleasant at times. All this made it a cult production within days of its release. For the first time in years, Netflix had a series that competed in quality, script and good work with HBO and its high-level productions.
Despite the fact that the series was very popular, with millions of viewers around the world, and with critics praising it incessantly, Netflix decided to freeze the series after the premiere of the second season. To be fair, it is not canceled… yet, but it is parked until further notice and the worst is feared.
- Title: Mindhunter
- Release date: 2017
- Duration: 49 minute episodes
- Platform: Netflix
We are sorry if we have reminded you of a series that you had already forgotten after surviving the blow of a cancellation.
But if we have played guts, you can also survive the stick. Remember that Netflix is to blame.