I Still Can’t Understand Why These 5 Fantasy Shows Were Canceled
Even the most entertaining shows can get canceled, and that doesn't necessarily mean the story was bad or the actors failed. Read on to find out why these 5 amazing fantasy shows were axed.
TV cancellations are happening left and right these days. And the reasons behind these decisions are often unpredictable, leaving people frustrated and angry with the platforms. Some even start writing petitions to bring back their favorite shows. I personally signed a bunch of them…
Sadly, things like this usually don't work and the only hope is to wait and see if another platform will pick up the show and continue it. Here are five brilliant fantasy shows that were canceled too soon, with only a few of them managing to make a comeback.
1. ‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021-2023)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Shadow and Bone has 83% from critics and 84% from viewers.
- On IMDb, Shadow and Bone has 7.5/10.
Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, is my Roman Empire. I can’t stop thinking about how perfect the show was, and how unfair its cancellation was.
The series offered a dark take on an intriguing fantasy story with blurred lines between good and evil. The world-building was excellent, and the characters were complex and worth investing time in. And Ben Barnes as an enigmatic General… just wow.
The show had barely begun to explore its full potential when it was canceled after only two seasons in 2023. Despite strong viewership and critical acclaim, the series was cut short due to budget constraints and Netflix's changing approach to serialized storytelling.
2. ‘Lucifer’ (2016-2021)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Lucifer has 87% from critics and 73% from viewers.
- On IMDb, Lucifer has 8/10.
Lucifer had a wild ride: from being canceled by Fox after season 3 to being saved by Netflix for another three seasons. And while the show technically concluded with season 6 in 2021, many of us fans still see it as a premature ending.
Adapted from the DC Comics character, the show blended supernatural crime procedural with the much needed depth and perfect humor. Of course another reason to love this show was Tom Ellis’s brilliant portrayal of Lucifer, and the chemistry he and Lauren German had on screen.
3. ‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021-2025)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, The Wheel of Time has 88% from critics and 75% from viewers.
- On IMDb, The Wheel of Time has 7.2/10.
One of the most recent cancellations, Amazon’s ambitious adaptation of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, launched with great fanfare in 2021, was axed after three seasons this May.
Many fans think that the cancellation of this show is actually important for the big picture, as it may be meaning that the era of epic fantasy shows, started after the success of Game of Thrones, might be coming to a conclusion. Yet the series did a commendable job building a loyal fanbase and improving its production values over time.
4. ‘My Lady Jane’ (2024)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, My Lady Jane has 95% from critics and 91% from viewers.
- On IMDb, My Lady Jane has 7.4/10.
An unexpected gem, My Lady Jane was a whimsical historical fantasy series loosely inspired by the life of Lady Jane Grey. Premiering in 2024 on Prime Video, it reimagined history with magical elements and sharp feminist satire.
Despite fresh take and critical praise, the show was canceled after just one season. Its fate was likely sealed by the saturated streaming landscape and the risks associated with period fantasy. Yet its originality made it one of the most promising fantasy entries in years.
5. ‘Carnival Row’ (2019-2023)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Carnival Row has 49% from critics and 79% from viewers.
- On IMDb, Carnival Row has 7.7/10.
Set in a neo-noir world of mythical creatures and political intrigue, Carnival Row premiered on Prime Video in 2019 and promised a wild ride for the fans of the genre. But although the show had a visually striking setting and a rather promising premise, it faced delays and a long hiatus between its first and second seasons.
The second season, which aired in 2023, was announced as the last, leaving fans disappointed and feeling as if the story was unfinished. Featuring performances by Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, as well as a richly imagined world, the show deserved more time to reach its full potential.
