Revival has turned into a sleeper of a supernatural drama, but it is not getting the support it needs from its network, so fans will have to step up to keep it going.
What Is It?
In the quiet rural town of Wausau, Wisconsin, an eerie phenomenon that comes to be known as “Revival Day” occurs when the deceased inexplicably rise from their graves—only they aren’t mindless zombies. These “Revivers” return fully intact, complete with memories, personalities, and even regenerative healing powers. As the town descends into fear and lockdown, Officer Dana Cypress is drawn into a mysterious murder case where both the living and undead are suspects.
![](https://www.cancelledscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/why-were-they-cancelled-header-ad.jpg")
Starring: Melanie Scrofano, Romy Weltman, David James Elliott, Andy McQueen, Steven Ogg
Created By: Aaron B. Koontz, Luke Boyce
Why Is It in Danger?
This supernatural drama arrived on Syfy in June 2025 with very little in the way of promotion and was cast in the Thursday 10 PM EST timeslot without much of a lead-in. Its debut numbers were rather tepid, posting only a 0.02 rating (two one-hundredths of a ratings point) for same-day viewing in the 18–49 demographic with 104K total viewers. That had it barely registering in the Nielsens, and almost no numbers have been available since then—likely because viewership slipped even lower. Syfy has made no mention of the digital viewing numbers on its website or on Peacock (where it streams on a one-week delay), and I have seen nothing in the way of delayed viewing stats either. Early on, it seemed like this might be another show thrown out as a sacrifice to the television gods as that cable net continues to flounder with scripted programming.
But then something interesting started to happen as shortly after its premiere, Revival began to get some good buzz. I saw it referred to as an interesting twist on the zombie genre, and more and more people started giving it good marks. I originally had no intention of watching the show as it seemed like a retread of the French series The Returned (aka Les Revenants), which had already been done to death. But as the positive buzz continued, I checked it out and rather enjoyed the show (you can read my review at this link), which is led by the always enjoyable Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp) and features a refreshing ensemble approach to its cast. And apparently others are liking it as well because it has a 94% Fresh Rating and an 87% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sadly, Syfy did not capitalize on the favorable reviews, which could have been used to promote the show and lure in more viewers. They did make the first two episodes available on YouTube for free for a short time, but beyond that, the network has not done much to bring more attention to a show that has clearly sparked some viewer interest. It is likely not expensive to produce, and it is a good fit for Syfy’s scripted programming slate. But it just wrapped up its first season with no word on its future yet, and it’s possible this could become another one-and-done casualty from the cabler.
What Can Fans Do to Help the Show?
As mentioned, Revival just aired its season finale, and we do not know its fate at this point. And Syfy does tend to go radio silent on shows like these, so there may not be an announcement anytime soon. Still, the fans can make a difference and start bringing some attention to the show, perhaps improving its chances for a second season.
The best thing to do right now is to stage watch parties on the Syfy website or app (where the past five episodes are available) and/or on Peacock where the entire season is available (with the finale joining on Thursday, August 21st). Those views are not filtered by Nielsen sampling and will get the attention of network execs. And if enough people tune in on Peacock, the show could place in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings. In addition to watching, fans should get the show trending on social media to bring it more attention. And they could also do subscription drives to Peacock for people to watch the show, which will impact the bottom line. (You can find more fan campaign ideas at this link.)
As mentioned, Revival is likely not an expensive show to produce, so it is not like it is costing the network a lot of money. And it may have international funding and/or syndication deals that can help keep it viable. But with viewership numbers that are barely registering, this one certainly needs some support to convince the network to keep it going or another venue to pick it up. If fans band together and make enough noise, that could happen.
Where Can You Watch It?
You can watch episodes on the Syfy website and app, though only the last five are available. The entire first season is available on Peacock (with the final streaming there next week), so that may be the best place for fans to focus their efforts.
Have you been watching Revival, and will you support fan efforts to keep the show alive? Chime in with your thoughts in the comments below.
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Revival is a terrific show. It hooked me from the beginning. And it could hook a LOT more people. So come on SYFY, renew the show, PROMOTE the show, and golly gee willikers, SYFY, you could have a HIT.
I also binged the show on Peacock in one night. It was an absorbing drama and truth to tell, the correlation to zombies never even occurred to me until a character made a comment in one of the episodes. I had a similar experience when I read Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot where I wass over a hundred pages in before I realized it was about vampires. I highly recommend this series. Regardless of some critics ho-hum reviews about yet another zombie plot I found it extremely original and the plot twists very provoking. It certainly held my interest. And note to Syfy, you’ve certainly improved from your first produced shows which seemed so trite and campy. Nice work on this one.
Fantastic show deserves a second season
Really good show with a couple of real plot twists to make it interesting. Sadly, most every show I enjoy gets cancelled so I’m not holding out hope it gets renewed. But stranger things have happened, right?
Revival is a great show with a stellar cast. Melanie Scrofano is perfect for this role. We need to see this show develop into the science fiction thriller that it should become. Looking forward to season 2. Please do not make a mistake and cancel this way too soon.
I started watching Revival because I’ve watched Melanie Scrafano in Wynonna Earp and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and enjoy her. This show is set in Wisconsin and only one character has a regional accent. It is some what exaggerated, which is to be expected, but it’s missing one main characteristic, the all important “Eh”. I’m from northern Michigan, and spent much of my childhood in Northern Wisconsin where my mom is from, and these areas use the Canadian ” Eh”. It would be great if they add this to the script if there is,A second season!
Great show! Come on SYFY, do the right thing for a change.
Please make a Season two of Revival. It’s a fantastic series.
Please make a 2nd season! I loved it…💜 Will tell others about it also!
Revival is a very good show for sci-fi it’d be a shame if you canceled it I enjoy watching it
I completely agree!! Please renew for season 2!
I really got into Revival. I was already a fan of Melanie Scrofano & Steve Ogg, & of Syfy (channel). But so many sci-fi series that I fall in love with get canceled after their 1st season, leaving very interesting story lines to die, with so many unanswered questions. I really hope Revival gets at least a s2. I streamed it through Peacock every week, & streaming viewings should def be counted in all viewer ratings.
Revival is awesome. RETIRED U.S ARMY VETERAN IN ANCHORAGE ALASKA
I fell in love this show! I am hoping that there will be a season 2! If you have not seen it, watch it. I was looked by the end of the second episode. I just watched the season finale and I am pissed I have to wait to see what it is going on! It’s definitely a good binge show!
I love this show also I so want more!!!
There should be a second season, how was the professor’s wife involved. These questions must be answered. It’s frustrating when a good show is on and not continued. I really do hope it’s renewed. Really enjoyed the show. Blaine should have been arrested along with the others.
Please bring back! Awesome show!
Agreed!
I came across the series by accident while browsing on Peacock.
I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the entire series which I binge watched in one night
I will be so disappointed if there is not a second season.
Please bring it back.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Not all answers answered. I really don’t like it when they tease us in this manner.
I loved Revival can’t wait for season 2 please don’t cancel.
Revival was a good series imo. I really hope for season 2
There really needs to be more shows in this genre. I enjoyed Revival. I’m hoping for second season. There are plenty of directions the show can go. The characters are strong and the plot is interesting.
Season finale isn’t til the 21st.
Everything I see shows that it wrapped up on Thursday, August 14th. TV Guide does not show a new ep scheduled for Aug 21st.
Peacock airs the finale today, 8/21, which is one week after it aired on SyFy.
Honestly it could have been so much better but it is clustered with too many story lines that seem important but absolutely arent…
I was very excited for this, so much that I read the entire book the week before it came out. Unfortunately the show does not come close to the brilliance of the book, so much so that it departed drastically. Omitting characters, changing characters motivations for the worse. The show lost me after the 4th episode. The book was a game changing graphic novel, the show is generic and offensive to the writers and artists of the original work. With that being said, Melanie Scrofano is incredible. She made me see qualities in Dana that I previously missed. I understand adaptations are difficult yet the creative choices in this “adaptation” are why the show is struggling. I hope the show runner checks their ego next time they elect to attempt to adapt others works.
What’s the name of the book? I would love to read it. I literally binged the whole series (commercials included) in one night.
It is a comic book series created by writer Tim Seeley and artist Mike Norton and it is put out by Image Comics. You can find the various collection at this link.
I have just watched all of season 1 of “Revival” I actually like things that are different and think it has a good cast and good story and I really hope there is a season 2 as feel there’s plenty more to explore and answer if it was publised more than it waz I feel more people would have been aware and watched it so I hope this is done and then season 2 will have great interest pleass don’t leave it with just one season
Revival is AWESOME! Hopefully it won’t be canceled, I need to find out what’s going on with Em.
I hope Sci-fi gives it the opportunity to have a second season, they won’t regret it!
I watched every episode! Well done and hoping for a season 2. Great show!