Ten Netflix Sci Fi TV Cancellations from 2022, Can These Shows Be Saved?

The Netflix Red Queen was quite busy in 2022, issuing her “Off With Their Heads!” verdict left and right as the streamer cut down shows on a regular basis. Many of these performed quite well in the viewership charts but did not have the “completion rate” that Netflix execs are looking for. That tracks the percentage of viewers that completed the current season within a set amount of time and that is supposedly a key metric for success. But many of these shows also developed notable fan followings who did complete the current season and who are now working hard to save their shows. It is very rare that cancelled Netflix shows move to a different venue, and the streamer usually holds the rights to its properties for a minimum of two years. But there is always a glimmer of hope as we have seen with Daredevil moving over to Disney+ (though it looks like that one could go through a reboot). Here is a look at ten genre shows that came to an end in 2022 as well as my assessment of their chances of continuing for another season on Netflix or another platform.  The list is in order of least likely to most likely to be saved.

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Space Force (Cancelled After Two Seasons)

This sci fi work-based comedy was considered a high-profile win for Netflix when it was announced, bringing over The Office‘s creator Greg Daniels as well as its main star Steve Carell.  The first season did not score too well with critics, but it pulled in decent viewership.  Diminishing returns set in by the second year, though, and Netflix pulled the plug on the show.  If Daniels wants to take this one to a different venue, I’m sure he could work something out at some point, but I haven’t seen too many people clamoring for a third year.  I am guessing that another launch of the show is unlikely at this point.

Archive 81 (Cancelled After One Season)

This horror series based on the podcast of the same name arrived on Netflix with almost no notice but managed to work its way up to Number 2 in the Netflix charts by its second week.  It seemed like it was guaranteed to get a second season, but that was right about the time that the streamer went into high gear with its cancellations.  I did not notice much of an effort from fans to try and save the show, but with James Wan attached perhaps it could move to a different venue once the rights lapse at Netflix after two years.  For now, though, I am considering this show to be one-and-done.

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Russian Doll (Ended After Two Seasons)

Netflix has not officially cancelled this time-bending show, but the streamer has been silent on its fate since the second season arrived in April 2022 and the show’s star has since moved on to the lead role in Poker Face on Peacock.  Silently cancelling shows has become somewhat of a trend over the last few years and it does tend to result in less fan backlash because they are distracted by all the other originals Peak TV is cranking out.  There have been talks of where a third season could go, but I don’t see much activity from fans to keep the show alive (again, the goal of silent cancellation), so I am not expecting that to happen anytime soon, if at all.

Raising Dion (Cancelled After Two Seasons)

This superhero series never received much promotion from Netflix, but it still managed to find a good audience for a property without much name recognition.  Its second season had a four-week run in the charts, but that was still not enough for the execs at the streaming service.  Its creator Carol Barbee has a track record in the industry but she is also no stranger to shows getting cancelled too soon (she was one of the executive producers of Jericho).  I haven’t heard a lot noise from fans over this one, so it is likely done at two seasons.

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The Imperfects (Cancelled After One Season)

This horror/sci fi entry is one of several shows on this list that had the dreaded three-week run on the Netflix charts which just does not seem to be enough to satisfy Netflix execs. It is not based on an existing property so it does not carry much name recognition.  And I don’t know that the show’s creators have much clout in the entertainment industry that they could leverage to try and interest a different venue in picking the show up.  This one has a young cast so that would make it would be difficult to resume after a two-year hiatus.  But perhaps it could resurface at some point in the future.

1899 (Cancelled After One Season)

This highly anticipated series from the creators of Dark performed quite well in the viewership charts, debuting at Number 2 and holding there for three weeks. It actually would have been the Number 1 show if it was not bested by record-setting Wednesday those three weeks. The show’s creators have at least one more show in the works at Netflix, so they may not want to make waves with the streamer by trying to get 1899 moved to a different venue. If the other show does not go forward, though, perhaps the creators will seek a development deal elsewhere and possibly try to bring this one with them.

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First Kill (Cancelled After One Season)

This YA vampire drama is another member of the Netflix Top 10 three-week club that does not seem to satisfy the completion rate quotient the streamer is looking for. It has developed a notable following and they have been active in lobbying for a second season from Netflix or to allow it to move to another venue. If the streamer holds onto it for two years, though, that would make it difficult for the show to move to another venue considering the show’s young actors would have aged.  But a continuation is not impossible, and if fans keep up their efforts maybe they will be rewarded with a second season and possibly more.

Fate: The Winx Saga (Cancelled After Two Seasons)

This fantasy series is tied to the Winx Club franchise and that could be a good thing or it could be a bad thing.  It is an internationally popular property, and perhaps that could act as leverage to pry the live-action entry in the franchise away from Netflix.  However, series creator Iginio Straffi has indicated that he is working on “a brand new CG Winx animated series reboot” as well as a live-action movie, neither of which would be tied to the Netflix show.  It does not appear those are part of the streamer’s rights to the property and they would likely take precedence over a third season of the cancelled show.  But the franchise leverage could work in the Netflix show’s favor and fans are definitely fighting for it. It will be an uphill battle, but maybe one more season is possible.

The Midnight Club (Cancelled After One Season)

Three weeks in the Netflix Top 10 was not enough to get this supernatural drama a second season and its creators have jumped ship to go work for Amazon’s Prime Video (it is unclear how closely related those two events are).  Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy had intended for the show to go for multiple seasons unlike their closed-ended shows The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass.  Almost certainly they will try to convince their new employers to pick up the rights to The Midnight Club, but Netflix may keep it in lockdown for two years making it difficult to carry on the story with the show’s young actors.

Warrior Nun (Cancelled After Two Seasons)

This supernatural drama returned for its second season in November 2022 with almost no promotion yet still managed to log three weeks in the Netflix Top 10 despite heavy competition from higher profile series Manifest which had as many as three seasons in the chart at one time.  Of all the cancelled shows, I like Warrior Nun‘s chances the best.  Creator Simon Barry is closely involved and motivated to get the show moved to a new venue, and it is not a super-expensive production like Wednesday or The Sandman.  It will face that same two-year gap challenge as several of the shows above due to its young cast, but that is not necessarily a stopping point.  And the fans are definitely engaged as you can see from our Fall poll and other efforts to bring attention to the show.  While any of the shows in the list could return at some point, I give the best odds to Warrior Nun.

The new year has just begun and it is starting to look like 2023 could bring a lot of cancellations, so be sure to stay tuned to this site for news and updates. You can see the status of all the currently airing and returning sci fi and fantasy shows on our Cancellation Watch Page. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news.

CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site  for breaking news and updates.

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