Over the years since the advent of television, there have been some pretty incredible TV shows across several genres. From the iconic sitcom Friends to The Walking Dead and Yellowstone, many of these shows ran for a long time and sustained a consistent fanbase. Although several of these TV shows have taken their curtain call, fans aren't over their endings. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
While some shows have a justified ending, others tend to end abruptly or on a cliffhanger. This has left several fans curious and upset over the conclusion of the show. There are various reasons behind why a production house would pull the plug - primarily budget cuts. Despite those reasons, let's take a trip down memory lane and look at the top 10 TV shows that ended too early.
Disclaimer: This article solely reflects the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Top 10 TV shows that met an early cancelation
1) Utopia
This disturbing tale raises significant questions about the idea of reality and existence. Utopia is about a group of hard-core comic book fans gathering for an annual event only to uncover a twisted premonition of what's to come; their death. Each character is hunted by an organization that works for the welfare of the world.
However, the company's sinister plans are quickly unveiled through a chilling plot twist. The show ended on a major cliffhanger leaving fans dumbfounded and eager to find answers. It was canceled after just one season with 8 episodes.
2) Shadow and Bone
This drama was maybe one of every fantasy lover's dream TV shows. From supernatural beings to powers and mysteries lurking around each corner. Shadow and Bone's fandom grew immensely because of their gripping storyline and character development.
The show went on for 2 seasons and was in the works for a renewal. However, due to budgetary restrictions, it had to be scrapped. This left fans distraught because of the show's abrupt ending. Several viewers online expressed their disgruntlement over the alleged unjust conclusion to such an epic series.
3) Walker
Walker is a more revived version of its 90s counterpart which was beloved by fans. Who doesn't love a good old cowboy show starring Jake Padelaci? If you loved him in Supernatural, he blows it out of the park with this one. With a beautifully crafted storyline and dialogue delivery, this show lacked nothing except for a renewal for season 4.
Earlier this year, due to Nexstar's strategy to generate more revenue, Walker was scrapped entirely. As a result, it left several viewers upset over the rushed ending and finding out answers to the many cliffhangers now lost to oblivion.
4) Hannibal
Now this was one of the TV shows whose cancelation nobody saw coming. Hannibal is an amalgam of Dexter and the Netflix docuseries Dahmer, but one that came years ago. The show is centered around Dr. Hannibal Lecter who is a criminal profiler by day and a cannibal by night.
Being a felon himself gives him an edge over the rest of his peers in the FBI. At the end of season 3, after being covered in bloody injuries, Lecter confesses to his crimes but is seen being thrown off a cliff with his partner Will, cue credits. Due to low viewership rates in 2015, the show ended up being scrapped after 3 seasons.
5) How I Met Your Father
Now, this is one of the TV shows that might not be the greatest of all time, but it definitely deserves some credit for the sake of nostalgia. Being a spin-off of How I Met Your Mother, the show revolves around the female counterpart's thoughts and point of view instead.
It's not unrealistic to think that the viewership was low especially after fans thought it was the end of an era. But, the show failed to address the very storyline it's about with several loose ends. Naturally, fans had bittersweet feelings when the show ended.
6) Legends of Tomorrow
One of CW's most beloved TV shows was Legends of Tomorrow which starred characters like the White Canary, Atom, Death Stroke, and more. The show went on for seven successful seasons before getting scrapped in 2022.
What was heartbreaking is that Canary was pregnant with her partner Ava's baby when the show ended. We never got to see the anti-hero be a mother. The finale episode saw each member of the crew arrested and introduced Booster Gold, leaving the audience on a cliffhanger.
7) Agent Carter
Marvel fans had nothing but praise for this ABC series which took the world by storm with its near-perfect adaptation of Agent Carter from the comics. Agent Carter is centered around Peggy Carter (known for her role in Captain America) and her dangerous endeavors as an agent of the SSR.
Everything about this show was enticing - the plot, story, characters, and dialogue delivery. The cliffhanger however was almost downright cruel to fans. At the end of the season 2 finale, Peggy's love interest Jack gets killed by an anonymous assassin right after they share a heartwarming kiss. Shortly after, the show ended for good in 2016.
8) Single Parents
Single Parents takes the cake when it comes to a frustrating ending for rom-com TV shows. The show features a group of single parents navigating parenthood and maybe even adulthood with their children. The show emphasizes the highs and lows of parenting.
It also explores the gravity of exploring a romantic relationship whilst being a parent. The TV show's most prominent characters: Will and Angie were shipped from day one. However, they never truly did anything about it even after Will confessed at their sleepover.
By the time Angie realizes her true feelings, she is on the road with her nonchalant ex-boyfriend. Fans never got to see what could've been of the two. Would they have crashed and burned or made it through?
9) I Am Not Okay With This
I Am Not Okay With This grew incredibly popular because of the many themes it explored including a high schooler figuring themselves out. From identity, purpose, sexuality, and superpowers, the show has left no stone unturned and was a big hit among TV shows for teenagers and young adults.
Despite many raving about the show and its actors, it is one of the TV shows that ended up getting canceled after just one season, upsetting many viewers! However, the primary reason it ended was due to COVID.
After the end of the pandemic, far too much and too many TV shows emerged possibly preventing a season 2 of the show. This too ended on a cliffhanger with the protagonist being watched by a lurking shadow.
10) Pitch
Last on the list is none other than one of the most feel-good TV shows out there, Pitch, which also ended after a single season. This teen drama is centered around a talented baseball player (Ginny played by Kylie Bunbury) who makes it to the big leagues. She gets there after tiresome practices, fights, and some classic high school drama.
Tragically, just as she is about to make her very first pitch during a major play, she encounters a severe injury resulting in her being hospitalized. The finale episode ended with her injury left unexplained. Several other characters' stories were also incomplete when the show got canceled due to low viewership rates in 2017.
Several other TV shows over the years have made a profound impression on viewers and fans. Although they may be gone, the memories, joy, and meaning they gave us will forever be etched in our hearts for ages to come.
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