Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult in The Great One Photo: Hulu
In John Milton's 1637 poem «Lucid», the poet mourns his dead friend «For Lycidus is dead, died before his prime,» he writes. Most likely, Catherine the Great, played by Elle Fanning, would have read Likidas and would have remembered these lines when she was informed that the TV series The Great, in which she plays the main role, was canceled after the third season. There would definitely be no reason for her to shout out the show's catchphrase, «Hurrah!» And yet Tony McNamara's splendid program has the dubious feature of joining a plethora of other shows that were canceled long before their natural conclusion.
In some cases, like Joss Whedon's Firefly or David Milch's Deadwood, they have earned the honor of being a full-length spin-off that satisfactorily closes the story. And sometimes fan protests have resulted in a show that was canceled by one broadcaster or studio being picked up by another. But more often than not, loyal audiences are left frustrated and frustrated when the series they invested time and interest in is just left hanging, with storylines unresolved and storylines abandoned halfway through. Here are 13 shows that died before their heyday, some of which we'd kill to see a comeback — and at least one that actually came back and really shouldn't have been bothered.
Nevers (2021-2023)
Now that once-all-powerful writer/director Joss Whedon has been canceled outright, the last series to feature his name, the Victorian cyberpunk extravaganza Nevers, was still in existential trouble. However, the decision to split the first (and only) season in half and then bring in a new showrunner in Philippa Goslett to work on the next six episodes proved disastrous; it has proven virtually impossible for viewers to watch the remaining installments as they are only available on the obscure American streaming network Tubi and no sign of them appearing in the UK.
Laura Donnelly in 'Never' Photo: HBO/Warner Brothers
It's a huge shame as the first half of the show was overly ambitious but thrilling, a clever mix of Whedon's characteristically strong heroines and sarcastic wit, as well as a brilliant supporting cast, including James Norton, Olivia Williams and Ben Chaplin. And Laura Donnelly's brilliantly charismatic performance as protagonist Amalia True, a dynamic but clearly flawed heroine, deserved far more praise than she really was.
Great (2020-2023)
Nicholas Hoult is gaining a reputation as Hollywood's unluckiest man, playing everything from Superman to the villain in the Mission: Impossible movies, much to his chagrin. Still, he can take comfort in knowing that his performance as the dilettante, narrow-minded but strangely likable Peter the Great, former Emperor of Russia, has remained a comic marvel throughout all three seasons of The Great. Opposite the equally brilliant Elle Fanning, whose subtly distorted English accent works beautifully in the context of the surreal, notoriously anachronistic show, Holt leads an impressive cast, each vying to steal scenes from each other by devouring showrunner Tony McNamara's epigram epigrams. , endlessly quoted dialogue.
Canceled after the third season due to the rumored high cost of producing an expensive historical drama that has always appealed to discerning rather than general audiences, it should nonetheless be seen as a lavish and revolting exercise in power and superiority. Who knows, its cancellation might even give Holt the freedom to get the comic roles he deserves.
Babylon (2014)
It's hard to think of a series in the last decade that has amassed a more impressive roster of talent than the cop comedy-drama Babylon. Created by Danny Boyle, Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, it had an all-star cast that included everyone from The OA's Brit Marling and James Nesbitt to Bertie Carvel and Daniel Kaluuy before Get Out. And after the incredibly watchable, action-packed pilot directed by Boyle, greatness beckoned us. Unfortunately, the subsequent series did not quite live up to expectations, despite the typically poignant scripts by Armstrong and Bain (among others); there was an awkward vacillation between comedy and straight drama, and an overgrown cast meant that the characters sometimes felt left out.
James Nesbitt and Britt Marling in Babylon Photo: Dean Rogers
He had a lot of potential though, and perhaps if Armstrong hadn't gone on to take over the world with Legacies, he might have continued. However, in 2015, he confirmed that there would be no more of them, stating that «getting everyone together seems like an extremely difficult task, so we didn't do it.»
This Life (1996-2007)
There are a few things associated with the mid to late nineties; New Labor, Britpop and Cool Britain, and Amy Jenkins' cult drama This Life, which revolves around the intertwined cases (in both senses) of a group of young lawyers, has become a cult must-see for the faithful audience. (Coincidentally, it also featured the behind-the-scenes talents of Ricky Gervais, who composed the soundtrack and was credited as the «musical consultant.») The exploits of Jack Davenport's arrogant Miles, Daniela Nardini's sharp-tongued but vulnerable Anna and Andrew. The good-natured Egg of Lincoln was an important topic of conversation about the water cooler, and its second series ended with an intriguing cliffhanger.
However, original plans to continue the show in a third installment with a new cast were eventually abandoned as the BBC stated that they would like to finish This Life «on a high level». Unfortunately, nostalgia and curiosity saw a single special run in 2007, and the subsequent series felt as flat and predictable as a low-quality episode of Cold Feet, ending one of Britain's most iconic dramas with more of a whimper than a bang. . .
Hannibal (2013–2015)
Mads Mikkelsen has now established himself as Hollywood's favorite eurovillain, and it's his superbly rich and subtle performance as cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Bryan Fuller's dark and violent series Hannibal that has undoubtedly built such a reputation. For three seasons, Mikkelsen's Lecter and Hugh Dancy's FBI agent Will Graham led each other in a macabre dance, though Fuller's show eventually evolved into an adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel Red Dragon, in which the terrifying Richard Armitage plays a notorious serial killer. like the Tooth Fairy.
Mads Mikkelsen in Hannibal Photo: NBC
Many expected the fourth series of Hannibal to move into The Silence of the Lambs territory, providing the perfect opportunity to compare Fuller's interpretation of the material to Jonathan Demme's Oscar-winning film, but that didn't happen. NBC canceled the show after its third season, citing low viewership, and despite persistent rumors that it would be renewed by another network, whether for a fourth series or as a one-shot, this development did not materialize, although Mikkelsen and Dancy still eager to return.
Mindhunter (2017–2019)
Perhaps there is no director today who is as closely associated with the serial killer genre as David Fincher, whether it's the thrills in Se7en or the police procedurals in Zodiac. His Netflix series Mindhunter, co-created with British playwright Joe Penhall, is much closer to the latter in its exploration of the mindset of people who choose to kill and then kill again. Eschewing major action scenes in favor of complex, often unsettling dialogue scenes that revolve around deep psychological exploration of unbalanced minds, this was an intelligent, demanding TV, but not one that appealed to a wide audience.
Jonathan Groff in Mindhunter Photo: Netflix
As Fincher said, «It had a very passionate audience, but we never got the numbers to justify the expense.» Initial plans for a third season were shelved as the director took on the Herman Mankiewicz biopic Mank and then the upcoming killer thriller The Killer. It wasn't much of a surprise when Fincher confirmed in February of this year that his expenses meant he would not be renewed for a new installment.
Ultraviolet (1998)
Long before The Wire and Luther made him a star, Idris Elba showed off his compelling charisma as a hardened security officer in this compelling, high-profile vampire drama created by Joe Ahearn and starring Jack Davenport in as a skeptical cop who comes to the conclusion that the undead known as «leeches» not only walk the earth, but have a grand plan that will lead to the destruction of humanity as we know it. The show has deservedly captured the attention of fans since its first broadcast and remains a chilling, completely candid account of what life would be like if vampires really existed.
However, despite the presence of Davenport, who then became successful following the success of This Life, a second series was never ordered for a second series, and the unsuccessful American remake was scrapped after its pilot. If it were more popular, it's not so strange to think that it would now be considered one of the greatest British thriller series, but in fact the only exciting season exists as «what could have been».
Kominsky method (2018-2021)
The recent death of the great Alan Arkin has reminded many of his peerless comic prowess throughout his illustrious career, spanning everything from Catch-22 and his Oscar-winning performance in Little Miss Sunshine to his latest stunning role in Chuck. . Lorre's comedy-drama The Kominsky Method as Norman Newlander, a rough but decent agent who has a cordial relationship with his closest friend, Michael Douglas actor-turned-acting coach Sandy Kominsky. Arkin chose not to return for the show's third season, which missed out on its unparalleled comic moment, but he was still delighted to see Douglas in such warm and shimmering form, a mile away from the dead-eyed, sex-obsessed people he made his name for. played in the 80s and 90s.
Alan Alda and Michael Douglas in The Kominsky Method By Mike Yarish/Netflix
Unfortunately, there won't be a fourth season, although it was a milder conclusion than some of the more acrimonious cancellations of some other shows. Lorre commented that it was a mutual decision between him and Netflix: “This third season feels like the right path. We feel like we can take this to a very satisfying ending.» Many will agree with this, but it's still hard not to wish Sandy Kominsky's adventures continued for some more time.
Rome (2005–2007)
Long before Game of Thrones, there was another historic show that combined intricate scenes of politics and fraud with jaw-dropping scenes of sex and violence, in the form of HBO's epic series Rome. It was epic television on the grandest scale, depicting the assassination of Caesar and the ensuing civil war through the eyes of two fictional soldiers, with a superb cast, a huge budget, and cheerfully profane, witty dialogue.
Originally conceived as a five-episode series, it was canceled after two due to one industry insider calling it «notoriously high» costs, meaning that much of what was planned for seasons three and four was rushed. compressed into a second series. , and the intriguingly provocative concept of its latest season — the coming of the Messiah in Palestine, told from the perspective of the Romans — was scrapped, thus avoiding something that would inevitably spark huge controversy.
Lovesick (2014–2018)
Set in Glasgow, where nobody seems to speak with a Scottish accent, Tom Edge's charming and witty romantic comedy Lovesick is a rare example of a show that was first abandoned by one channel (Channel 4) and then picked up by another. in the form of Netflix; part of the reason may have been that its storyline, revolving around the sensitive Dylan Johnny Flynn trying to track down all of his exes in order to inform them of an STD diagnosis, was at odds with its original, off-putting title, «Scrotal Memories.»
Appropriately renamed, it was a hit for the streaming service, but it is unlikely that it will ever return with a fourth series, although this was due to both cast availability and corporate tastes; according to its star Antonia Thomas in 2019: “I wish I could do more Lovesick but I just don’t know. Everyone is so busy and just everywhere. Bringing us all together can be difficult. But you never know.» Who knows, there might still be a reunion special or series as part of this most enchanting show.
Profit (1996)
The birth of the modern TV anti-hero is usually traced back to Tony Soprano, but there's a strong case for Jim Profit, a ruthless corporate sociopath with an abusive childhood and an oedipal boot complex. In every episode, Profit, Richard III in a suit and tie, weaves a web of lies and works his way to the top.
Lisa Zane, Adrian Pasdar and Sherman Augustus in Profit: alamy
Too outrageous for most viewers, the series and its immoral protagonist received numerous complaints, with some Fox affiliates threatening to end the show. The profit was canceled after just four episodes, with four more remaining unaired. How different could things have been in television, which is now run by people like Legacy's Logan Roy? (Chris Taylor)
Rubicon (2010)
Focusing on intelligence think tank analysts who preferred rummaging through files and spotting patterns rather than barging into rooms and shooting people, the Rubicon thrived on Kafka-style claustrophobia and conspiracy theories that slowly unraveled through hard work rather than blind luck. Even the name of the villain was both enigmatic and brilliant: Truxton Spangler.
However, despite being one of the smartest and most cleverly written dramas of 2010, its glacial pace led to it being canceled from the start. AMC already had zombies (The Walking Dead), a meth-peddling science teacher (Breaking Bad, finally picking up steam) and the all-conquering Mad Men, so there just wasn't room for a show that was hard to advertise. and who struggled with difficulties. to find an audience. (CT)
Terriers (2010)
The perfect antidote to the sophisticated, high-tech crime dramas of the time, The Terriers followed former Donal Logue alcoholic cop Hank Dolworth as he set up an illegal private detective business with a reformed criminal and best friend of Britt (Michael Raymond-James). The choice of a sleazier and darker comic tone, in keeping with the Raymond Chandler-esque lead role, made for a thrilling viewing experience. Creator Ted Griffin's reputation for witty yet suspenseful dialogue was built on his scripts for Ocean's 11 and The Matchstick Men, but despite strong support from a number of critics and fans, the show became the lowest-rated FX show ever. . (Connecticut)
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