Why did Why Women Kill not return for season 3? Explained 

Black Lamb’s Why Women Kill debuted back in August 2019 on CBS All Access before the network was later rebranded as Paramount+. With two seasons to its name, the series presented a unique narration as the first season delved into the lives of three women in different time periods, who all suffer from infidelity on their husbands’ parts.

The show delves into the lives of three wives from three separate timelines- 1963, 1984, and 2019, played by of Ginnifer Goodwin, Lucy Liu, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste respectively. The three women end up suffering a series of tragedies before snapping and deciding that the murder of their husbands is their only legitimate way out.

The series featured the following official synopsis:

“An anthology series that follows three women in different decades all living in the same house, as they deal with infidelity and betrayals in their marriages.”

The abrupt cancellation came after Paramount+ had initially renewed it for Season 3, which continues to confuse fans to date. The network did not provide a specific reason for the cancellation. After production was on the verge of beginning, Paramount+ released the following statement:

“Paramount+ has made the difficult decision not to move forward with season 3 of 'Why Women Kill.' We would like to thank our partners at CBS Studios and Imagine Television Studios, the amazing creator and showrunner Marc Cherry, and the incredible writers, cast, and crew for two memorable seasons.”

The series itself grew popular due to its dark humor, brilliant scripts, and the kind of stylish, glamorous world that it created, featuring some top costume design and a retro atmosphere which was evident with respect to the time period that it was partly set in.

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Why was Why Women Kill Season 3 cancelled?

Season 2, which came out in June 2021, featured the story of Alma Fillcot, played by Allison Tolman, who undergoes a similar situation but not at the behest of her husband. Instead, she enters a feud with one Rita Castillo, played by Lana Parrilla, and ends up being put in a situation in which she believes murder is her only course of action.

The series, which gained both critical acclaim and love from fans, boasts an 8.3 IMDB rating and was yet cancelled by Paramount+, even though the network initially had renewed it for a third season. Regardless, the series’ Season 1 itself dealt with some common struggles married women tend to face, with the three protagonists coming to similar conclusions despite existing in vastly different time periods.

Despite the success, Why Women Kill was initially renewed in December 2021, only for it to be canceled in July 2022. Further, as the statement suggests, no specific reason was provided for the cancellation, even if rumors have stated that it might have come down to the financials associated with the production of the third iteration of Why Women Kill.

The series received an impressive 89% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, which suggests only good things. Fans even petitioned on X to bring back the show following its cancellation.

The creator, Marc Cherry, who had previously created Desperate Housewives and Devious Maids, also received acclaim for the way in which the non-intersecting narration, especially with respect to Season 1, was pulled off.

Regardless, there is little clarity over why Why Women Kill never received a third season. For those who want to revisit the show, the two seasons of Why Women Kill can be watched on Paramount+.