With the rapid rise of streaming services and the constant demand for new shows and movies to watch on them, it's no surprise that some of them get left behind. Even favourites with high-rankings on the likes of Rotten Tomatoes can be casualties of this insatiable hunger.
Netflix is certainly no stranger to sacrifice, regularly making the decision to cut a series loose for one reason or another. And that means it still hosts top-notch programming that was cut short before its prime.
Here are three shows that it cancelled that really shouldn't have been.
The OA
There are many out there who believe that the cancellation of Brit Marling’s The OA is the greatest injustice given to an audience by a network. A show that is considered a modern great, dropped after two short seasons and ending on a cliffhanger that is currently never to be answered.
The OA was seemingly the first high profile victim of Netflix’s brutal profit and loss algorithm, and is the show that many believe marked a major shift in Netflix’s strategy.
A sprawling horror-suspense story that pulled no punches, the show was a victim of its own production and success. Put flatly, it cost a lot to make and Netflix allegedly realised it could make four or five other basic shows for the same amount. So it did.
The saddest thing about all this was the fact that it ended with the story incomplete – a story that it now seems we will never know the ending of.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Cheers Netflix... uncool.
Mindhunter
With a star director in David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club), a great cast, and a massive budget Mindhunter was a major launch for Netflix back in 2017.
It followed the early days of the FBI Behavioral Sciences department, and delved into the darker side of police work, focusing on the lives of those forced to deal with human nature at its worst. So far so good.
A serial killer exploration directed by the legendary Fincher was always going to be great, but Mindhunter surpassed expectations. Gritty and dark, it was also absolutely gripping.
We got two amazing seasons before its cancellation, which came as a big surprise to its legions of fans. Why would such a successful show be dumped?
The answer is simple – finance. The show cost too much money to make and the director was unwilling to lower production values. He therefore walked – a case of a director being true to his art no matter what.
Thankfully though, there are new rumours that a third season could be picked up, so who knows...
Glow
Now and again a production team manages to do achieve something original. It finds a new and interesting idea, does it well and makes it look great. Glow does that and as such deserved more than it got.
Based on the real life Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling promotion that launched in the mid 80s, the show follows the lives of the women involved in female professional wrestling, and the dark side of their world at that time. From then highs of prime time television to the seedy underbelly of the emerging scene at the time.
Crazy characters, decent drama and well developed plots, the show was cancelled after its third season despite a huge outcry from fans. The reason was sadly no-one's fault – it came down to Covid-19 and timing.
With a huge cast and every scene involving close physical contact, it was deemed unsafe to continue filming during the pandemic and when the all clear was eventually sounded, people had simply moved on.
It's a case of pure bad luck for this one.
Liverpool lad, mid-life crisis survivor, writer of short fiction, screenplays, articles, reviews and opinion pieces. Brian is totally in love with cinema in all its many forms. He writes for websites, blogs and published magazines, including Screen Rant, IGN and Purple Revolver in the constant hope it will help him avoid getting a real grown-up job. In his free time, he's a gym obsessive and previously good guitarist.
-
Netflix's new no.1 movie is the feel-good Brit comedy-drama I need in my life
Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger has topped the UK's Netflix movie charts
By Mike Lowe Published
-
The new Tesla Model Y is here but you can’t have one (yet)
With a facelift giving Cybertruck vibes, this new Tesla is only available in China and Australia – at least for now
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Netflix's sci-fi horror series looks astonishing in full trailer
Cassandra looks like a slow-burn horror
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Two-time Oscar-winner stars in Netflix's new thriller series
Zero Day brings Robert De Niro back to Netflix
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
3 obscure horror movies to stream on Netflix and Disney+
Fancy a fright tonight? Here are our three horror flick picks you might not have thought of before
By Brian Comber Published
-
One of Netflix's most beloved series finally confirms when it will end
Cobra Kai's final part gets a date
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix's huge new Western series gets a super-bloody trailer
American Primeval looks superb but violent
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
One of my favourite movies ever leaves Netflix this month
Phantom Thread is a masterpiece
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix in January: 5 top movies and shows coming to the streamer
There's plenty to come this January on Netflix
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
5 most eagerly-anticipated shows coming to streaming in 2025
Want to know what to wishlist on your favourite streaming service? Here are five great choices.
By Brian Comber Published