5 Perfectly Crafted Shows That Were Cancelled For No Good Reason

Television is ever-evolving, and we have so much new content almost every day that it’s hard to say there’s “nothing to watch.” But there’s another side to the never-ending choice: for every successful show that finds a place in the hearts of viewers, there are others that, despite being well-created and praised for their creativity, are unjustly canceled.

Naturally, each canceled show leaves hundreds of fans frustrated and disappointed. Even if they understand the factors that may have caused the decision, such as production costs, bad ratings or events like Covid-19, they still always want their beloved series back.

Here are 5 shows that fans never wanted to see canceled, but still couldn't save.

1. Archive 81 (2022)

Netflix 's Archive 81 is a psychological horror thriller that follows Dan Turner, a film archivist who is tasked with restoring a collection of videotapes that chronicle the terrifying experiences of a documentary filmmaker investigating a mysterious apartment fire. The fans loved Archive 81 for the supernatural drama and impeccable character development.

When the platform canceled the show, viewers were heartbroken because the season finale’s cliffhanger hinted at even deeper mysteries that will forever remain unresolved.

2. Mindhunter ( 2017-2019)

The name of this 97%-rated series always ends up on lists like this, because fans still can't forgive Netflix for ending a story with such potential. David Fincher's Mindhunter is a perfect example of psychological drama, expertly mixing real-life criminal psychology with a haunting exploration of the minds of serial killers.

The show followed FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they interviewed dangerous criminals in an attempt to understand the psychology behind their acts. The show only lasted two seasons, and it was suggested that it was canceled for financial reasons, despite being highly praised by critics and fans.

3. Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

Another much-loved Netflix series that was canceled for no good reason, leaving fans guessing about the fate of the main character. Santa Clarita Diet was a delightful mix of dark comedy, zombie horror and family drama. Starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, the show centered on Sheila Hammond, a suburban mom who unexpectedly becomes a zombie, forcing her and her husband to navigate their new and unusual reality while keeping up appearances in their neighborhood.

“Fell more on the comedy side of comedy horror but I always thought it was pretty good and could always get a laugh out of me. Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant were perfect together as husband and zombie wife,” one Redditor said.

4. Daybreak (2019)

Daybreak is a post-apocalyptic teen show with a twist of dark humor. The show has a truly unique take on the genre: set in a world where a nuclear event has wiped out most adults, it follows a group of outcasts as they navigate the ruins of society. And try to find those who are missing.

Although the show had a dedicated following, Daybreak was canceled after only one season. Fans were left with an unsatisfying ending and no resolution to the cliffhangers set up in the first season.

“Daybreak is surprisingly a great series... not just fun, but seriously great. It's wild, exciting, hilarious and by all means creative. It's surprising because my first impression before seeing it was that it's just another low-budget teen B-show, and though to an extent it is that, it's also so much more,” Redditor Pm_me_for_tv_advice said.

5. The Society (2019)

One more take on post-apocalyptic teenage life is The Society. Focusing on another group of teenagers, this series is a more haunting depiction of what a world would look like if the teens were faced with the task of making it a place worth living in. Found in a universe with no adults to help them, they must deal with the complexities of power, politics, and morality. All by themselves.

Despite its captivating premise and high-rated first season, The Society was still canceled by Netflix after just one chapter. This time, the reason was the difficulties Covid-19 has brought to the industry.