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Cancellation of TV shows that were beloved by audiences often spark massive outrage and disappointment on the internet. Over the course of the show, its fans become deeply invested in the storyline, characters, and what’s yet to come. So, when it's announced that their favorite shows won’t be returning, it's not always received well.
From signing petitions to calling out distributors, fans go the extra mile for their favorite shows. While some shows get revived, others must face a final goodbye. Nevertheless, here is a list of eight TV shows that broke the internet's heart.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
Mindhunter, A League of Their Own, and 6 other canceled TV shows that broke the internet’s heart
1) Sense8 (2015–2018)
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In the sci-fi drama Sense8, eight strangers form a cluster of “sensates” after being “birthed” by Angelica, who then kills herself to avoid capture by “Whispers,” a mysterious man. The second season of Sense8 kicked off with a two-hour Christmas special in December 2016, with the remaining 10 episodes released in May 2017.
However, the following month, Netflix announced the cancellation of the series, which had ended with a major cliffhanger. In response to the backlash from fans over the abrupt cancellation, especially with an unresolved storyline, Netflix produced a two-and-a-half-hour series finale that was released on June 8, 2018.
In a June 1, 2017, Variety article, Cindy Holland, VP of Netflix Original Content, stated that Sense8 had become everything Netflix and its fans had hoped for. She also announced the show's conclusion and thanked the entire cast and crew for their craftsmanship and dedication.
2) A League of Their Own (2022)
A League of Their Own is an adaptation of the 1992 film of the same name with new characters and storylines. The series, set in 1943, is about the formation of the Rockford Peaches, a women's team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The series premiered with 8 episodes on August 12, 2022 and was renewed in March 2023 for a four-episode final season. But in August 2023, Amazon announced that the second season would be scrapped due to delays caused by the Writers Guild of America (WGA strike).
A Deadline article published on August 18, 2023, read:
“Due to the strikes, production on both A League Of Their Own (and The Peripheral) was delayed and could not start before 2024, pushing the Season 2 premieres to 2025.”
3) Mindhunter (2017-2019)
In Mindhunter, FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr, run the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Together, they launch a research project to interview serial killers and study their psychological patterns, hoping the findings will help solve future cases.
The show is based on the 1995 non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. The series debuted in 2017 and ran for two seasons.
Director David Fincher stated in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche:
“I’m very proud of the first two seasons. But it’s a very expensive show and, in the eyes of Netflix, we didn’t attract enough of an audience to justify such an investment (for season 3)."
4) Gossip Girl (2021–2023)
A sequel to the iconic 2007 drama series, Gossip Girl (2021) is about a new generation of teenagers who are under the vicious and watchful eye of Gossip Girl (GG). Instead of the juicy scandals going around New York, GG this time goes global and this time, no one is spared from her wrath.
However, after two seasons, there was an announcement that this reboot show has been canceled, HBO Max announced ahead of Season three.
As a goodbye message to fans after the show's cancellation, producer Josh Safran said on an Instagram post:
“A big thank you to all the GG fans around the world. You’re the reason we came back in the first place, and who knows, maybe the reason we will meet again. Much love.”
5) Schmigadoon! (2021–2023)
Schmigadoon! is a musical comedy television series created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, with all songs written by Paul, who also serves as the showrunner. The Apple TV+ series premiered July 16, 2021.
The story centers around a couple from New York, both doctors, who become trapped in magical musical theatre settings and learn lessons about love and happiness. The second season premiered April 5, 2023 but was not renewed for a third season.
Cinco Paul shared the news of the cancellation on an Instagram post:
“This was tough news to get, but the optimist in me is convinced it’s not the end of Schmigadoon… and maybe it's even a happy ending.”
6) My Lady Jane (2023)
My Lady Jane (titled My Queen Jane for episodes 4-6) is a historical fantasy romance television series. All episodes of the series were released on June 27, 2024. After just a few months, it was announced that My Lady Jane would not return to Prime Video.
Deadline on August 16, 2024 reported that the show has been canceled by Prime Video after one season. The cancellation sparked backlash from fans, who launched a petition in hopes of reviving the show.
Gemma Burgess, who adapted the show along with her co-runner, wrote on Instagram:
“Thank you to everyone who watched My Lady Jane since it came out seven weeks ago.”
7) Julia (2022–2023)
Julia is a comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO Max on March 31, 2022. The show is based on the life of Julia Child in 1960s Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the production of her television cooking show, The French Chef.
In May 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on November 16, 2023. Fans were excited to see more of Julia’s journey and her impact on the culinary world. However, in January 2024, the series was unexpectedly canceled after just two seasons, leaving many viewers disappointed by the premature end of the show.
Hollywood Reporter on January 10, 2024 quoted a Max spokesperson on the cancellation:
“We are so honored to have partnered with Chris Keyser, Daniel Goldfarb and their masterful creative team and dynamic cast, led by Sarah Lancashire, as they cooked up Julia. Thanks to their beautiful work over two seasons of this heartful, sensual, and inspiring show, we can forever celebrate the incredible legacy of Julia Child.”
8) Valerie's Home Cooking (2015–2024)
Valerie's Home Cooking is an American television cooking show, starring Valerie Bertinelli. It premiered on August 8, 2015 on the Food Network channel. On April 8, 2023, Bertinelli confirmed in an Instagram video (which is no longer available) that season 14 would be the show's final season.
The chef has also co-hosted the Kids Baking Championship for all 11 seasons and has appeared on other Food Network series as Cutthroat Kitchen, Food Network Star and Family Food Showdown.
Though canceled, all the shows are still available for streaming on various platforms. Watch My Lady Jane on Prime Video, Mindhunter on Netflix, and more. Relive their legacy by streaming these iconic series.
