Why was Girls5eva cancelled on Netflix? Explained 

The musical comedy-drama Girls5eva has had its fair share of ups and downs since its launch in 2021. Now, it looks like the show is once again facing an abrupt ending. Created by Meredith Scardino and produced by Tina Fey, the show suffered from low viewership.

Star of the series Busy Philipps has theorized that its title may have disenfranchised certain demographics, specifically men, thus impacting its viewership.

The show is about a one-hit wonder girl group from the 1990s, comprising Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Renée Elise Goldsberry, attempting to restart the group years later. Girls5eva captures a funny take on second chances. A musical comedy genre, it balanced witty writing with catchy original songs in such a rare way.

It originally came on Peacock in 2021 and was dropped in 2022 after the second season. It was picked by Netflix for the third season, before getting cancelled again in December 2024.

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Why was Girls5eva cancelled on Netflix? Explained

Girls5eva, the musical comedy series created by Meredith Scardino and produced by Tina Fey, has been cancelled for the second time, this time by Netflix. The show originally aired on Peacock for two seasons before being picked up by Netflix for a third season in March 2024.

Despite its critical acclaim, with all three seasons achieving approval ratings of 95% or above on Rotten Tomatoes, the series struggled to attract a broad audience.

Busy Philipps, who portrayed Summer in the series, confirmed the cancellation on her podcast, Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best. Expressing her frustration in the December 4 episode she said:

"It's dead. Yeah. I'm just saying it because f**k it. If Netflix won't, I will."

She speculated on the reasons behind the show's cancellation, suggesting that the title Girls5eva might have alienated certain audiences.

"I think it's possible it alienates men—like straight f****g dudes," she said.

Philipps remained hopeful about the show's future, proposing the possibility of adapting it into a live stage production or even a Broadway musical.

"I've even joked with the cast, like, we should do Radio City or turn it into a … a musical, maybe even Broadway someday," she said.

The cancellation of the series adds to a growing list of LGBTQ+ inclusive shows that have been axed in 2024, including Our Flag Means Death, Kaos, and Dead Boy Detectives. While the series has ended, all three seasons of Girls5eva are currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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What is Girls5eva about? Seasons1-3 Explained

Girls5eva is a musical comedy series about four women who were once part of a 1990s girl group and reunite decades later after a young rapper samples their old hit song. As they attempt to revive their music careers, they face the challenges of ageism, personal struggles, and the changing music industry.

The show explores themes of friendship, second chances, and reconciling their past with who they’ve become. The cast includes Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Paula Pell.

Girls5eva Season 1:

When a young rapper samples their hit 1999 song, the members of Girls5eva reunite to give their pop star dreams just one more shot. They juggle their personal lives with the struggles and changing times in the modern music world.

The season covers topics such as friendship, ambition, and realities related to ageing in the entertainment world. The season ends with the group accepting a new music video, which is their next big move.

Girls5eva Season 2:

In season 2, the group's musical career begins to take off. They score a huge opportunity to perform, but personal issues begin to affect their success. Sara Bareilles's Dawn Solano struggles with her relationships, particularly with her ex-husband, while the other girls deal with their emotional baggage.

Everything ramps up to the group trying to make a new album while trying to stay relevant in an ever-changing musical landscape.

Sara Bareilles as Dawn, Busy Philipps as Summer, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Wickie, and Paula Pell as Gloria (Image via Netflix)

Girls5eva Season 3:

Season 3 sees the group leap forward with the new tour to support their album. Aspects like a taste of stardom, rivalries, and new waves of musical genres in this new phase are seen in season 3. Conflicts rise as new members come in, threatening the original group dynamic.

The season culminates in the group making one huge decision about their future together, leaving viewers with a major cliffhanger about whether they will stay together or go their separate ways.

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Catch all seasons of Girls5eva on Netflix.