8 TV Shows That Started With a Perfect Season 1 Only to Fall Apart in Season 2

History knows many examples of successful series that eventually disappointed fans. While shows like Game of Thrones and Lost only lost steam toward the end, other projects foundered much earlier.

Sometimes, viewers fall in love with the characters, atmosphere, and plot of a show in just one season, but by the second season, that love can turn into confusion.

1. 'The Last of Us', 2023-...

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

The Last of Us was one of the most talked-about releases of 2023. Opinions on the adaptation were mixed: some gamers were disappointed by its frame-by-frame recreation, while others were upset by the absence of subplots from the original.

The second season was a bombshell – those who had previously criticized Bella Ramsey subjected the actress to full-blown harassment.

Pedro Pascal's early departure also sparked outrage – without him, the series has lost some of its former charm. It's scary to imagine how people will react to the upcoming final season.

2. 'Monster', 2022-...

IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Ryan Murphy is one of the most prolific showrunners of our time and a leading producer of true crime series. Following the success of American Crime Story, Netflix commissioned Monster from him.

The first season, about Jeffrey Dahmer, was an instant hit. For the second season, Murphy turned to the lesser-known case of the Menendez family. This time, he omitted the shocking details that were so prominent in the Dahmer case and cast less charismatic actors.

However, compared to the third season, which is about Ed Gein, the second season doesn't seem like such a failure.

3. '13 Reasons Why', 2017-2020

IMDb Score: 7.4/10

13 Reasons Why is an adaptation of Jay Asher's novel of the same name. The first season addressed complex topics, such as teenage bullying and toxic masculinity, in an accessible way.

The project was originally conceived as a miniseries, but due to its unprecedented success, Netflix ordered a second season – which no one liked.

This didn't stop the streaming giant, though. Two more seasons were released, and they were even worse.

4. 'Squid Game', 2021-2025

IMDb Score: 7.9/10

Hwang Dong-hyuk's South Korean show, Squid Game, became an instant hit. Its success can be attributed to its relevant social message and original visual style.

The games went viral on TikTok, and the vibrant security guard costumes were especially popular for Halloween. Squid Game was ultimately renewed, but the new season felt derivative.

Furthermore, it turned out to be only the first part of a two-part finale. This is further proof that assembly-line production can ruin even the most original projects.

5. 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency', 2016-2017

IMDb Score: 8.1/10

This dark comedy is based on a series of novels by Douglas Adams. Max Landis, the son of renowned director John Landis, served as the showrunner.

Elijah Wood played the bewildered Todd, but the series' breakout star was Samuel Barnett as the eccentric detective, who was reminiscent of both Doctor Who and Sherlock.

Viewers loved the first season for its absurdist atmosphere, but the second season was noticeably weaker, leading to the show's cancellation.

6. 'Westworld', 2016-2022

IMDb Score: 8.4/10

Westworld is an expensive sci-fi series from HBO, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. The first season was filmed on an unprecedented scale, comparable to that of Hollywood blockbusters.

At the time, it seemed like the show would become the next Game of Thrones, but it failed to meet expectations. The second season was even more ambitious, but the plot became overly complex.

This backfired – many viewers could not grasp the plot's intricacies, and Westworld quickly lost its audience.

7. 'True Detective', 2014-...

IMDb Score: 8.8/10

The first season of Nic Pizzolatto's True Detective was a milestone in TV history. It was not only a quotable success, but it also set the bar high for subsequent shows. And not even Pizzolatto himself could surpass it.

The second season failed to live up to expectations and was torn apart by critics and fans alike. Instead of the Southern Gothic setting of the first season, complete with voodoo cults in the swamps of Louisiana, viewers were treated to a run-of-the-mill neo-noir with bombastic quotes but no coherent detective plot.

Colin Farrell's brilliant portrayal of a down-on-his-luck cop who drowns his depression in alcohol couldn't save the day.

8. 'Big Little Lies', 2017-...

IMDb Score: 8.4/10

Big Little Lies was a hit series that didn't need another season. The detective drama, produced by Reese Witherspoon, who also played one of the lead roles, was a hit. Witherspoon was joined onscreen by Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Shailene Woodley.

With its vibrant characters and unpredictable plot, the series captivated viewers and kept them guessing until the very end. The first season ended on a high note and seemed self-contained. For some reason, however, the show was renewed.

The second season of Big Little Lies was derivative and unnecessary.