Rise from the ashes: These 9 TV shows came back after they were cancelled

Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Image Via: Lucasfilm
Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Image Via: Lucasfilm

The fickle world of television often loses some of the most well-calibrated TV shows because of trivial reasons. A cancelled show, once dead and buried, is hard to get revived. However, sometimes, fans have the ability to fuel such a revival that brings shows back from the ashes. These fans know the show’s capacity. These resurrected shows proved that cancellation is not always the final curtain.

From comedies to dramas, many shows have faced this critical condition. These nine TV shows clawed their way through all the hurdles and came back to our screens with rejuvenated energy. So let’s delve into these phoenixes of television. From the circumstances of their initial demise to the sparks that ignited their triumphant returns, their journey is fascinating. Each revival carries a story of fan advocacy and the undeniable magic that happens when a show truly resonates with the viewers.


Rise from the ashes: These 9 TV shows that came back after they were cancelled

1) Lucifer

Lucifer | Image Via: Jerry Bruckheimer Television
Lucifer | Image Via: Jerry Bruckheimer Television

The lord of hell gets bored and comes to live with the mortals — sounds fascinating, right? Lucifer is all about how he takes on his new life by opening a nightclub and becoming a civilian consultant for the LAPD. He uses his supernatural abilities to help solve crimes. From intense storylines to humor, the show has it all. It is surprising to know that this well-known series was cancelled.

Initially, Lucifer aired for three seasons on Fox. However, after the third season, Fox cancelled it. It is not surprising that the fans were unhappy about this decision. Tom Ellis has done a commendable job portraying the character. Fans were vocal about their dissatisfaction when Lucifer was cancelled. From using hashtags to organizing campaigns to bring the show back, viewers did their best.

This caught the eye of the creators. Netflix took over the show from the fourth season. On Netflix, the show blossomed even further. More mature themes were added, which made the show even more intriguing. Deeper character exploration made the show even more popular among viewers.


2) One Day At A Time

One Day At A Time | Image Via: Netflix
One Day At A Time | Image Via: Netflix

This heartwarming show centers around a Cuban-American family. Penelope Alvarez is a divorced Army veteran and a nurse raising her teenage daughter. The show beautifully captures various social issues, which have resonated with the viewers. The strong performances of the characters and the genuine chemistry between the cast members made the show so lovable among the viewers. The show was originally released on Netflix.

For three seasons, the show warmed the hearts of viewers and gave numerous good memories. However, the show got cancelled after season three. This raised immense uproar among the viewers. The loyal fan base that this show created wanted a comeback. A loyal fan base is always able to get what they want, so the show was successfully renewed for the fourth season on Pop.


3) Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Image Via: Fremulon
Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Image Via: Fremulon

Brooklyn Nine-Nine has undoubtedly given some of the best hilarious moments among TV shows. It follows the hilarious antics of Detective Jake Peralta and his diverse group of colleagues. Jake is an immature detective who often clashes with the new captain, Raymond Holt.

The ensemble cast brings forth their unique quirks and comedic timing to the table. Brooklyn Nine-Nine aired for five seasons on Fox. However, Fox announced that the show would be cancelled. This announcement created a major outcry from the fans. So, just a day after the cancellation, the show was renewed by NBC. The show then went on for a few more seasons. This is a testament to the show’s popularity. Its positive impact on the viewers made the show rise from the ashes after getting cancelled.


4) Arrested Development

Arrested Development | Image Via: Imagine Television
Arrested Development | Image Via: Imagine Television

This quirky TV show is about a wealthy family. The Bluth family loses everything, which changes everything for them. The only responsible member of the family tries his best to keep his eccentric and dysfunctional family together. The unique narrative of the show, with non-linear storytelling, adds to the overall humor of the show. This unique nature of the show led to its huge cult following.

After three seasons, the show was suddenly cancelled. Initially, it was aired on Fox; however, despite the popularity, the show received low ratings. When the news of the cancellation reached the fans, they pushed for the revival of the show. The enduring popularity of the show led to Netflix taking it on. Netflix revived it for the fourth season.

This season adopted a unique structure, with individual characters having a compelling storyline. The fans proved that they were not going to let the Bluth family be forgotten so easily.


5) Community

Community | Image Via: Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment
Community | Image Via: Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment

Community is a show about Jeff Winger. Jeff is forced to attend college to get a legitimate degree. He creates a study group that has a group of misfits. The show is celebrated for its intelligent writing, pop culture references, and its willingness to experiment with different genres.

Even though the show received immense popularity, it faced cancellation. It aired for five seasons on NBC, then NBC cancelled it. However, Community was able to form a huge, dedicated fanbase. The fanbase used hashtags and campaigns to bring the show back. The show got revived by Yahoo Screen and continued to entertain the viewers with its intriguing storylines.


6) Baywatch

Baywatch | Image Via: GTG Entertainment
Baywatch | Image Via: GTG Entertainment

Baywatch was truly a one-of-a-kind TV show. Initially, after the release of the first season, the viewers were eager for more. However, it was announced that the show would not have another season as it was cancelled. The show got cancelled because of the high costs of production.

However, due to the efforts of the fanbase, the show got renewed and stayed on for many more seasons. This show became a global phenomenon. The revival of the show highlighted its inherent appeal and its ability to connect with the viewers.


7) The Expanse

The Expanse | Image Via: Penguin in a Parka
The Expanse | Image Via: Penguin in a Parka

This show's thrilling journey through space left the viewers awestruck. However, it got cancelled all of a sudden. The Expanse is set in the future, where humanity has colonized the Solar System. Tensions rise between Earth, Mars, and the OPA. The diverse group of characters who become entangled in the vast conspiracy is truly intriguing.

The conspiracy threatens the fragile peace that everyone yearns for. The show is praised for its realistic portrayal of space travel along with complex political intrigue. The characters of the show are well-developed. The show aired for three seasons initially. After the third season, Syfy cancelled the show. However, the agitation among the fans was immediate.

They were not happy with the cancellation of their favorite show. Their efforts to bring the show back became successful. The show got renewed by Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video helped to adapt a significant portion of the series


8) Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Image Via: Lucasfilm
Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Image Via: Lucasfilm

This animated series delves into the epic conflicts of the Clone Wars. The adventures of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and others are truly intriguing. The show is praised for its mature storytelling. It resonates with the viewers. There is exploration of complex moral dilemmas and character development, which keeps the viewers hooked throughout.

The series aired for five seasons on Cartoon Network. Then it got cancelled, even after having a huge fanbase. Later, Disney+ took over the show. They revived it and brought new life to it. The revival allowed for a conclusion to several timelines that had remained incomplete.


9) Family Guy

Family Guy | Image Via: Fox
Family Guy | Image Via: Fox

Family Guy is all about the dysfunctional Griffin family navigating through their life. The show is known for its often controversial humor and one-liners. These have remained memorable among the viewers. The main characters include Peter, his wife Lois, their daughter Meg, their son Chris, and baby Stewie. Along with these characters, they also have a talking dog named Brian.

Family Guy has gone through cancellations and revivals. Initially, the show aired for only three seasons on Fox. However, the show’s ratings were not up to the mark. This led to Fox making the decision to cancel the show. However, the strong sales of DVDs led to its revival. Since its revival in 2005, it has remained strong with a dedicated fanbase that understands the humor and quirks of the show. The passionate outcry of the fans and the discovery of a larger audience gave this show a huge comeback.


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Edited by Ritika Pal