The Best Shows Canceled After a Single Season
What are the best single-season canceled shows in television history? These shows were actually really great, but for whatever reason (usually ratings,)Â they got the axe after just a handful of episodes. Without a doubt, many on this list of series canceled after one season deserved much longer runs, and all these TV shows were canceled before their time. Vote for the shows you think didn't deserve just one season on the air, and feel free to rerank this list your way, too.
It might surprise you to learn that despite their great successes, entertainment heavyweights like Judd Apatow and Joss Whedon didn't always come out on top. Whedon's Firefly remains one of the most unjust cancellations in TV history, as does Apatow's Freaks and Geeks (both are now among the all-time top cult TV shows.) All of these single-season shows were canceled before they could have a sophomore season, much to our dismay. But this list also includes some more obscure shows. Even beloved stars like Matthew Perry and Jason Alexander couldn't get a second season on their own.
Add any one-season TV shows that might be missing because if you miss it, it qualifies. What single-season TV shows do you believe are the greatest ever? It's a safe bet that several of the 1 season TV shows listed here are also among the best TV shows in recent memory. Vote up the canceled single-season shows you think are the best and see where your favorites rank.
- 1Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk
- Premiered: September 20, 2002
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Science Fiction
In a unique blend of space western and drama, a group of misfit renegades traverse the galaxy in their trusty vessel, Serenity. While evading government forces and notorious criminals, this band of characters forms an unbreakable bond as they seek work, freedom, and perhaps redemption. Despite its cancellation, the series still fosters a passionate fanbase that's always itching for more adventures.
- 2John Francis Daley, Linda Cardellini, Samm Levine
- Premiered: September 25, 1999
- Genres: Comedy,Drama
Set in a high school during the early 1980s, this coming-of-age series focuses on two groups of students – the "freaks" (free-spirited nonconformists) and the "geeks" (socially awkward but brilliant kids). As they grapple with the trials and tribulations of adolescence, these teens form powerful friendships, navigate family dynamics, and confront societal expectations. Hailed as relatable and nostalgic, it's a wonder the show didn't get a second season.
- NEW
- Premiered: March 26, 2023
- Genres: Action,Drama,Thriller
- 3Matt Ryan, Harold Perrineau, Charles Halford
- Premiered: October 24, 2014
- Genres: Drama,Fantasy
Following the supernatural exploits of demonologist John Constantine, this series, which was based on the comic of the same name, delved into the dark and twisted world of occult magic. Far from a conventional hero, viewers couldn't help but root for the sardonic and tortured anti-hero as he struggled to protect humanity from otherworldly threats. Alas, the allure of the arcane wasn't enough to keep this show from being banished to the TV afterlife.
- 4Jake McDorman, Jennifer Carpenter, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
- Premiered: September 22, 2015
- Genres: Crime,Science Fiction,Thriller
Based on the film of the same name, this series followed an everyday slacker who discovers a pill that grants him extraordinary mental abilities. As he assists the FBI in solving their most baffling cases, he struggles to balance his newfound powers with the dangers that come with them. The show's mind-bending premise left fans lamenting its untimely departure.
- 5Ioan Gruffudd, Judd Hirsch, Alana De La Garza
- Premiered: September 22, 2014
- Genres: Crime,Drama
Centered on an immortal medical examiner who's spent centuries searching for answers about his condition, this crime procedural offered a unique spin on the genre. Blending captivating mysteries with touching insights into the human experience, it expertly explored the complex relationship between life, death, and immortality. Unfortunately, even an undying protagonist couldn't save the series from facing its own demise.
- 6Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, Minka Kelly
- Premiered: November 17, 2013
- Genres: Crime,Drama,Science Fiction
Set in a future where human police officers are partnered with android counterparts, this sci-fi drama navigated the evolving relationships between man and machine. Through thrilling criminal cases and thought-provoking social commentary, the series examined the implications of technology on society and human connection. Despite its progressive themes, the show proved to be all too mortal after just one season.
