19 popular TV Shows that fell off after the First Season

While there have been many shows with an inventive premise, sustaining it over multiple seasons is a hard task for many makers. Even though showmakers try their best to captivate audiences with an engaging plot, many shows fall off after a captivating first season. It might be due to a lack of material, poor direction, or convoluted plots. Here are 19 shows that were unable to reignite the spark it created initially.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this piece is based on the writer's personal opinions, interpretations, and perspectives.

1.⁠ ⁠Heroes

Created by Tim Kring, this superhero drama series aired for four seasons and revolved around various individuals who have superhuman abilities and must band together to prevent the destruction of society. The first season was a perfect mix of mystery, action, and superpowers, and was critically acclaimed for its aesthetic storytelling that mirrored comics. But later seasons were criticized for its weaker plot, which suffered further due to a writers’ strike.

2.⁠ ⁠True Detective

The first season of this anthology crime drama starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. It became a chart-topper with terrific performances by the two leads, who infused the plot of an investigation around occult murder with questions of philosophy. But subsequent seasons lost popularity in terms of viewership and critical appraisal as the show became convoluted and fell short of depth.

3.⁠ ⁠Prison Break

Created by Paul Scheuring, this unique crime drama was a gritty exploration of the American prison system as it revolved around two brothers, one of whom was wrongfully convicted, and the other hatched a clever plan to get his brother to escape from jail. While the first season was acclaimed by both viewers and critics for its writing and inventive escape plan, the later seasons drew criticism for its repetitive and unrealistic plotlines.

4.⁠ ⁠Westworld

Based upon a movie by Michael Crichton, this dystopian science fiction Western drama revolved around the titular amusement park that was populated by androids and was controlled by humans who could indulge in their fantasies without the fear of law. But trouble arises when the androids become self-aware. The first season was a ratings juggernaut and was praised for its visuals, mind-bending narrative, and performances. But later seasons were criticized for its complicated plots and loss of focus.

5.⁠ ⁠The Walking Dead

Based on a comic book series, this post-apocalyptic horror drama centers around a group of human survivors amidst a zombie fallout and their constant struggle for survival. The show ran for eleven seasons but after an acclaimed first season that was nominated for several awards and became a cultural phenomenon, the later seasons suffered from criticism due to dragged-out storylines and overpopulated characters.

6.⁠ ⁠Lost

One of the most iconic shows from the early aughts, this sci-fi adventure drama, co-created by J.J. Abrams, began with the premise of an airline crash whereby its survivors are stranded on an island. The first season was lauded for its mystery and suspense and the character development of its cast. The show won numerous awards and was deemed an influential series. But later seasons drew criticism for its increasingly confusing plot twists and unresolved questions.

7.⁠ ⁠13 Reasons Why

Based on a novel by Jay Asher, this teen drama had a controversial but influential first season as it dealt with the suicide of a high school student, Hannah Baker, who leaves behind a box of tapes detailing the incidents that drove her to suicide. The show’s graphic depiction of suicide soared the show’s popularity and it still received positive reviews for its depiction of a sensitive matter. However, later seasons felt stretched and its viewership dropped.

8.⁠ ⁠Under the Dome

Based on a novel by Stephen King and developed by Brian K. Vaughan, this sci-fi horror mystery drama centers around a small town that is suddenly cut off from the rest of the world when a transparent and indestructible dome envelopes them. The show earned acclaim during its first season for a gritty portrayal of survival and had high viewership. But subsequent seasons suffered from low viewership and criticism over a complicated plot.

9.⁠ ⁠The Following

Starring Kevin Bacon and created by Kevin Williamson, this crime thriller series revolves around a former FBI agent (Bacon), who tries to recapture a serial killer and cult leader. The first season received positive reviews and was acclaimed for its atmosphere, performances, and writing. However, the show’s later seasons were criticized for becoming formulaic and less thrilling.

10.⁠ ⁠Glee

A show that became a pop culture staple, this jukebox musical comedy-drama centered around a group of high school students who are a part of their school’s glee club and tackle issues of adolescence. The first season was an instant hit as it blended music, drama, and comedy. The music on the show was a further success that led to various merchandise. However, later seasons lost popularity due to overcrowded characters and a messy plotline.

11.⁠ ⁠Riverdale

Based on the character from Archie comics, this teen mystery drama starring Cole Sprouse, Lili Reinhart, and others, begins with the premise of a murder in the town of Riverdale, which is investigated by the beloved Archie characters. The first season received positive reactions for reviving Archie comics and bringing a solid mystery. But its later seasons were quickly criticized for its random mixing of musical episodes and the sudden addition of the paranormal.

12.⁠ ⁠Quantico

Created by Joshua Safran and starring Priyanka Chopra, this thriller drama revolves around a new FBI recruit (Chopra), who becomes a suspect in a terrorist attack. The show drew high viewership in its first season for including a non-American and South Asian protagonist and was praised for its diversity and engaging plot. However, later seasons had multiple changes in cast that hampered its flow and it had a convoluted plot.

13.⁠ ⁠Scream Queens

Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan created this satirical dark comedy slasher that revolved around a sorority house that is targeted by a serial killer who uses the university’s mascot as a disguise. The first season had an ensemble cast of Emma Roberts, Lea Michelle, Glen Powell, and others, and received positive reviews for its campy fun and slasher horror. However, its second and final season was criticized for its direction and loss of charm.

14.⁠ ⁠Designated Survivor

Starring Kiefer Sutherland, this political thriller drama created by David Guggenheim, revolves around a Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Kiefer), who becomes the President of the United States after an explosion kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession. The show aired for three seasons and it initially met with acclaim over its exciting plot. But later seasons lost focus and had weak storylines.

15.⁠ ⁠Wayward Pines

Based on the novels by Blake Crouch, this mystery and sci-fi thriller began with the premise of a US Secret Service agent investigating the disappearance of his two colleagues in the mysterious titular town. The first season drew acclaim for its tense atmosphere that had the right balance of mystery and tension. However, its second and last season quickly fell off as it felt stretched out and unnecessary and had a weak direction.

16.⁠ ⁠Jessica Jones

Starring Krysten Ritter in the title role, this superhero detective series is based on the Marvel comics character and revolves around an ex-superhero who turns into a private investigator and opens her own detective agency. The show aired for three seasons and its first season was praised for its performances and menacing characters like Kilgrave. However, the subsequent seasons were criticized for lacking intensity and becoming formulaic.

17.⁠ ⁠Manifest

Created by Jeff Rake, this supernatural drama starring Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, and others, revolves around the passengers and crew of a flight, who are presumed dead but reappear mysteriously after five and a half years. The show’s initial run was acclaimed for having an intriguing supernatural mystery. But subsequent seasons fell off due to overly complicated and dragged-out plots.

18.⁠ ⁠Big Little Lies

Based on a novel by Liane Moriarty and created by David E. Kelley, this black comedy drama starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and others, was highly anticipated. The show’s original premise was about five women who become a part of a murder investigation. The first season was praised for its gripping plot and performances and won multiple Emmy awards. However, its second season lacked the same impact despite the addition of Meryl Streep.

19.⁠ ⁠American Horror Story

Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, this horror anthology series has self-contained stories and each season has a new setting and a fresh set of characters. Some of its actors have appeared in more than one season like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and others. The first season, “Murder House”, revolved around a family in a haunted house and became an instant hit. The later seasons have been hit-or-miss, with some losing the original charm.