On My Block
Created by Eddie Gonzalez, Lauren Iungerich, and Jeremy Shaft, "On My Block" is a coming-of-age drama that premiered on Netflix in 2018. The show was met with positive reviews and renewed for three subsequent seasons. However, the fourth season, which aired in 2021, ended up being the show's last.
While there will be no new episodes of "On My Block," it's always a good idea to go back to a show that combines great young actors, truly heartfelt scenes, and some comedy. Starring the impressive Sierra Capri, the series explores the day-to-day lives of four teenage friends living in inner-city Los Angeles.
The Duchess
While it's evident that the TV series "The Duchess" was met with "generally unfavorable reviews," it is nonetheless a treat to everyone who enjoys the humor of the London-based Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan. The show is truly one of Ryan's most passionate projects, as she serves both as the creator and star.
Perhaps due to the aforementioned "unfavorable reviews," the show ended up being canceled by Netflix after just one six-episode season. It's a pity: a comedy series about a single mother struggling to raise her daughter, "The Duchess" could've been much more if Netflix had given it a second chance.
The Ranch
In the age of generalized short attention spans and ever-growing streaming content, it's always nice to be part of a series that manages to "survive" for a whole four seasons and a total of 80 episodes. However, it's still sad to think that a western-comedy like "The Ranch" has been off the air since 2020.
A hit among critics and fans, "The Ranch" is worth revisiting for plenty of reasons, starting with the cast. Filled with former "That '70s Show" actors, "The Ranch" features the Hollywood icons Ashton Kutcher and Sam Elliott as two struggling Colorado cattle ranchers. It has an impressive 7.5 rating on IMDb—a rarity among comedies.
Messiah
Created by Michael Petroni, the writer of the emotional drama movie "The Book Thief," "Messiah" is perhaps one of the most ambitious series that's ever landed on Netflix's catalog. Its premise? Imagining what it would be like if Jesus (or a man claiming to be Jesus) returned to our modern-day world.
Everything about "Messiah" seemed to scream "hit show," from its inspirational plot to the cast (featuring the "True Detective" star Michelle Monaghan), but the TV series was canceled by Netflix after just one season! Perhaps TV buffs weren't too fond of the Christian theme—but in reality, "Messiah" can be enjoyed by people of all religions, atheists included.
Away
"Away" is a show starring the "Million Dollar Baby" award-winning actress Hillary Swank that was canceled by Netflix after just one season. We know: it sounds illogical. But for some reason, "Away" never turned out to be a hit. It was met with shy enthusiasm by the critics and not exactly binge-watched by many fans.
Nevertheless, one shouldn't snub "Away" right away. Even though the series only lasted for ten episodes, it's still an emotional drama about family, space, and everything in between. Curiously enough, the whole production was inspired by an article published by Chris Jones in Esquire magazine.
The Last Kingdom
Based on "The Saxon Stories," a series of novels authored by Bernard Cornwell, "The Last Kingdom" is a TV series with some non-fiction elements set in 800 to 900 England. It premiered on BBC but ended up being acquired by Netflix after two seasons. A toned-down, British alternative to much grander medieval-time shows such as "Game of Thrones," "The Last Kingdom" aired its final season in 2022.
However, the final season of "The Last Kingdom" was not the end of the story. After all, Netflix announced that a movie inspired by the series is currently in production. It's titled "The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die."
Jupiter’s Legacy
Created by Steven S. DeKnight, "Jupiter's Legacy" is a TV series about superheroes, inspired by a popular comic book, and starring the likes of Josh Duhamel, Ben Daniels, and Leslie Bibb. That's got to be a hit, right? Well, not exactly. Pretty much like not all superheroes wear capes, not all TV series about superheroes end up making a huge profit.
While some fans and critics enjoyed "Jupiter's Legacy", the show didn't make enough money to last for more than one season. However, it did inspire Netflix to produce "Super Crooks," an animation show that's set in the same fictional universe as "Jupiter's Legacy."
The Irregulars
Created by the Academy Award-nominee Tom Bidwell, "The Irregulars" is yet another British production that made it into Netflix's catalog. Sadly, it was canceled after just one eight-episode season. It is set in Victorian London and stars a group of talented young actors led by McKell David.
Even though "The Irregulars" wasn't a big hit, its plot is interesting—to say the least. It's a refreshing spin on the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that turns Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson into two manipulative characters with deep ties to the supernatural. It's a must-watch for all fans of Doyle's books.
Cursed
Most movies and TV series based on the graphic novels of the great Frank Miller end up becoming major hits. However, Netflix's "Cursed" failed to live up to the hype. It was canceled after just one season and didn't impress the critics. The fans didn't like it much either: at the time we're writing this, "Cursed" has an underwhelming 5.9 rating on IMDb.
All things considered, though, many people enjoyed this re-imagination of the Arthurian legend and would like it to continue. In addition, the performance of the main star, "Knives Out" Katherine Langford, was praised by many online reviewers.
Bonding
An actor, writer, and director, Rightor Doyle was reportedly inspired by his life when he created the dark comedy series "Bonding." Netflix streamed the show for two seasons before announcing its cancelation in 2021. Negative backlash and a disappointing second season were presumably the reasons behind the decision.
"Bonding" is not a perfect series, but it does offer something unique. Its plot is centered around the misadventures of two best friends working as dominatrixes in the underworld of a semi-fictional New York City. It's a modern, fun, and well-directed production with fine cinematography, but it somehow failed to make the cut.
The Crew
To put it simply, "The Crew" is a Kevin James comedy sitcom. Netflix surely expected this light series about a NASCAR crew chief to last for a few seasons, but it ended up being canceled after just one. But was the series that bad? Or did it just fail to get the attention it needed?
It's hard to say. Met with mixed reviews, "The Crew" was nauseatingly dull for some TV buffs' taste but ended up impressing some viewers. One IMDb commentator called it "a breath of fresh air for Kevin James fans" and said that "the humor is spot on."
Dear White People
"Dear White People" is the "creative baby" of the American filmmaker, actor, and author Justin Simien and one of Netflix's many hit shows. Following the success of the 2014 movie "Dear White People," Netflix helped to give life to a same-titled TV series that was only canceled after four seasons (the last of which aired in 2021).
A comedy-drama in the true sense of the word, "Dear White People" is as important as it is entertaining. While it focuses on the day-to-day lives of a group of Black Ivy League students, it also explores many of the deep issues surrounding race relations in the United States.
Santa Clarita Diet
"Santa Clarita Diet" is a comedy show that was canceled in 2019 after three ten-episode seasons. It was a good run for a Netflix show, but some fans were left with the feeling that this production could've given us much more. For one, it's a refreshing combination of horror and comedy, laughs and gore, and zombies and suburbia.
But there's more. A show about a husband and wife who become zombies, this Victor Fresco series counts on a remarkable cast led by the irresistible Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. The young Liv Hewson and Skyler Gisondo also do a great job in this now-canceled fan favorite.
Money Heist
According to Digital Spy, there will be no sixth season of "Money Heist." It's sad because the Spanish production isn't just one of Netflix's hits: at one point, it was the most-watched show on the streaming service! Originally titled "La Casa de Papel," this worldwide phenomenon focuses on classic heist stories and it's so addictive that calling it bingeable would be an understatement.
But while the original "Money Heist" seems to be over, its legacy is not. In 2022, Netflix released the spin-off "Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area." In 2020, a behind-the-scenes documentary titled "Money Heist: The Phenomenon" also made it to the streaming service's catalog.
Soundtrack
Musicals: ask ten people whether they like them, and five will say they love them while the rest will say they hate them. Pretty much like all productions of its kind, Netflix's "Soundtrack" was met with mixed reviews. Maybe because of that, it ended up being canceled after just one season in January 2020.
Going back to the ten episodes of "Soundtrack" that made it into Netflix's catalog, however, doesn't sound like such a bad idea. The show has a positive 6.8 rating on IMDb and is the final acting role of the late Markie Post, popularized by her work in the classic series "Night Court."
Love Is Blind
Fans of dating reality shows such as "The Bachelor" and "Married at First Sight" should be happy to know that Netflix's "Love Is Blind" was renewed for a fourth and fifth season in 2022. More than that, it also received Brazilian and Japanese adaptions, meaning that the format is a hit among the fans.
Speaking of the format, "Love Is Blind" sets up real men and women together in pods where they cannot see but simply speak to each other. The premise is that the contestants will pick their partners based not on their appearance but solely on their personality.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The worldwide pandemic was a shock to everyone, and some of the crown jewels in the Netflix catalog ended up paying the price. That was surely the case with "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," a TV series that was doing okay before a worldwide pandemic messed with their plans.
Based on a same-titled comic book, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" aired successfully for two seasons (with two parts each) before being canceled in 2020. Combining drama, horror, and fantasy, its plot explores the adventures of a young witch (beautifully portrayed by Kiernan Shipka) who lives in between the human and supernatural worlds.
Marianne
One of the most ambitious French productions that have ever made it to Netflix, "Marianne" is a dark horror series that focuses on Emma Larsimon, a writer who realizes her fictional characters also exist in the real world. Larsimon is portrayed brilliantly by the "Call Me by Your Name" and "Malavita" star Victoire Du Bois, but not even that was enough for "Marianne" to live past one eight-episode season.
Canceled by Netflix in 2020, "Marianne" is one of those series everyone should revisit. It has a nice 7.4 rating on IMDb and it should please all fans of horror—French and otherwise.
GLOW
A bonafide streaming hit, "GLOW" was renewed for a fourth and final season in 2019 but ended up being canceled due to the pandemic. It was a sad ending for a vibrant show that deserved better and that still has a proud 8.0 rating on IMDb. There's even a petition asking Netflix to produce a movie to give "GLOW" a proper goodbye!
A deeply nostalgic series, "GLOW" explores the day-to-day lives of a group of female wrestlers in '80s Los Angeles. The standout performer is the main star, Alison Brie, who is simply irresistibly charismatic in the role of the clumsy (but determined) Ruth Wilder.
The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance
"The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" is a Netflix animation series that was canceled after just one season of ten episodes. It features a nice cast of voice actors, including Anya Taylor-Joy and the "Game of Thrones" star Nathalie Emmanuel. The TV series is a prequel to the 1982 fantasy movie "The Dark Crystal," created by the late American filmmaker Jim Henson.
The series was praised by critics and fans and acclaimed for its "stunning fidelity to the original film." However, that was not enough for Netflix to give it a second shot. It still has an impressive 8.4 rating on IMDb.
Teenage Bounty Hunters
"Teenage Bounty Hunters" is yet another Netflix one-season wonder. The TV series was canceled in 2020 after just ten episodes despite being well-received by the fans. The plot of the show explores the adventures of two 16-year-old students who start chasing bad guys after getting to know an experienced bounty hunter.
While "Teenage Bounty Hunters" does not reinvent the wheel, it makes for a fun series for the whole family to enjoy. The best thing about it is that it introduced the viewers to two stunning up-and-coming actresses: Maddie Phillips from "Four Walls" and Anjelica Bette Fellini from "The French Dispatch."
V Wars
Popular books get turned into Netflix series all the time, and "V Wars" had it all to be a hit. Based on a same-titled novel by the American suspense author Jonathan Maberry, it focuses on two best friends—portrayed by Ian Somerhalder and Adrian Holmes—trying to save the world from an escalating conflict between humans and vampires.
Combining drama, sci-fi, and horror with action, "V Wars" could've been a little more complex than it is. But while outlets such as Decider described the show as "basically dumb fun," it still managed to impress some viewers. Nonetheless, it was canceled in 2020 after just one season.
Easy
"Easy" was created by the Detroit TV writer Joe Swanberg, but it focuses on the day-to-day lives of several groups of friends living in Chicago. Met with positive reviews, the show had a good run on Netflix, lasting for three seasons between 2016 and 2019. It makes for a modern comedy series that's especially relatable to young adults in their 30s and late 20s.
The writing is good, the topics are modern and relevant, and the cast is simply amazing. If you need a good reason to watch (or re-watch) "Easy," keep in mind, it features the likes of Michael Chernus, Jane Adams, Dave Franco, and Kate Micucci.
Turn Up Charlie
The English hunk Idris Elba was first popularized by his iconic appearance in "The Wire." However, before becoming a famous actor, he was known for his work as a DJ in the British electronic dance music scene. In "Turn Up Charlie," a show created by himself, Elba goes back to DJing—this time, as the struggling DJ Charlie.
In the series, Charlie is forced to change his ways after being tasked with taking care of the problematic daughter of his best friend Sara, portrayed by Piper Perabo. There are plenty of good things to enjoy in this light comedy-music show, but Netflix canceled it after just one eight-episode season.
October Faction
There is no shortage of one-season series on Netflix's catalog, but "October Faction" is the only one starring the incredible "Bones" and "Party of Five" actress Tamara Taylor. A supernatural drama series inspired by a comic of the same name, "October Faction" explores the adventures of a couple working for a clandestine monster-hunting agency.
Also starring the "Gaslit" actor J.C. MacKenzie and the young Aurora Dawson-Hunte, "October Faction" wasn't exactly a hit among critics and online reviewers and failed to get more than an underwhelming 5.5 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It premiered on January 2020 and was shockingly canceled three months later.
Locke & Key
In April 2022, Netflix announced that the third season of "Locke & Key" (which premiered a few months later) would be the last. However, it's not like the show was canceled: after all, its creators had planned from the very beginning to complete the story in three seasons.
This streaming success is yet another Netflix production inspired by a comic book, and its plot revolves around the adventures of three siblings who stumble upon a supernatural world while trying to investigate the death of their father. With Darby Stanchfield leading a talented cast of young actors, "Locke & Key" was a hit among fans due to its suspenseful plot.
Dead to Me
"Dead to Me" is an Emmy Award-nominated TV series created by the "2 Broke Girls" writer Liz Feldman and executive-produced by Hollywood giants of the status of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. The third and final season of the show was delayed for years before premiering in November 2022.
It's the ending a quasi-perfect dark comedy like "Dead to Me" deserved, and we're pretty sure fans were fine with waiting more than two years to see how the story ends. Described by online reviewers as "surprisingly brilliant," "Dead to Me" features the beautiful acting veterans Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as protagonists.
Jessica Jones
"Jessica Jones" is a TV series brilliantly headlined by the "Breaking Bad" and "The Defenders" star Krysten Ritter that's set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It ran successfully for three seasons between 2015 and 2019, the year it was canceled by Netflix. In 2022, however, the show was removed from the streaming service's catalog after getting picked up by Disney+.
With a solid 7.9 rating on IMDb, "Jessica Jones" is a must-watch show for all fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's an interesting neo-noir show about a former superhero who decides to become a private investigator and open her own agency.
Daybreak
There seems to be no ending to the list of Netflix shows inspired by comic books. "Daybreak," which lasted for one mere season before being canceled in 2019, is yet another example. Starring Colin Ford and Alyvia Alyn Lind, "Daybreak" is a refreshing new take on the "post-apocalyptic world plot" that manages to see the good in the world's ending.
Despite its attractive plot, high production value, a convincing cast of young stars, and the presence of zombie-like creatures, "Daybreak" somehow flew under the radar and didn't attract the viewership desired by Netflix. According to Metacritic, it scored 54 out of 100.
The Society
The mystery teen drama "The Society" is another victim of the 2020 pandemic. Even though it was initially renewed for a second season, it ended up being canceled by Netflix. Sadly, it never made the return many expected it to. If you're a fan of sci-fi productions with a young cast, however, you should go back to this 2019 series and watch the ten available episodes.
"The Society" focuses on a community of teenagers forced to live on their own as they investigate the mysterious disappearances occurring in their small town. Kathryn Newton, from "The Map of Tiny Perfect Things," does a great job in this one.
I Am Not Okay With This
Just like "The Society," the coming-of-age series "I Am Not Okay With This" was canceled due to the 2020 pandemic. The fact that it never made a second-season return is nonetheless strange, as this compelling comedy-drama was a hit with both critics and fans.
Seven episodes of "I Am Not Okay With This" sound like too few, but it's better than nothing! Produced by the same guys who gave us "Stranger Things," this eerie TV series counted on two amazing up-and-coming actors in the roles of the protagonists: Sophia Lillis from "It" and Wyatt Oleff from "Guardians of the Galaxy."
Ashley Garcia: Genius In Love
A famous actor, talented TV host, and ever-busy producer, Mario Lopez is the genius behind the creation of the Netflix series "Ashley Garcia: Genius In Love." While the show was canceled after just one season, it was given a proper ending, as Netflix produced a 2020 Christmas special for it.
A light sitcom for the entire family, "Ashley Garcia: Genius In Love" is a series about a young science prodigy who moves away from home to work for NASA. The protagonist is portrayed by the exciting young actress Paulina Chávez, who has since joined the series "Fate: The Winx Saga."
The Big Show Show
Ending one-season sitcoms with a Christmas special was Netflix's thing in 2020. Similar to "Ashley Garcia: Genius In Love," the hilariously-titled "The Big Show Show" was also given a holiday goodbye before being canceled for good. This family sitcom had a lot of promise but failed to have the desired impact.
The show's premise isn't exactly original: it's the story of a family man living in a house full of women. The twist in the series is the presence of Big Show himself, a former professional wrestler that was once one of WWE's most popular athletes and who's comfortably portrayed (as ever) by Paul Wight.
Aj and the Queen
"RuPaul's Drag Race" is a worldwide phenomenon, but the Netflix series "Aj and the Queen" (created and starred by RuPaul) didn't meet expectations. While it was loved by many and generally well-received, "AJ and the Queen" was canceled a mere three months after it premiered.
Fans of RuPaul should nonetheless snub this adventure-comedy drama about a drag queen performing all over the United States in the company of a young sidekick portrayed by the promising actress Izzy G. (who has since appeared in "B Positive"). It's not the most profound streaming series in the world, but it makes for a fun and enjoyable watch.
Osmosis
According to Oxford Knowledge, osmosis refers to "the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas." Sadly, the 2019 Netflix series "Osmosis" wasn't on the air long enough to be assimilated—unconsciously or otherwise—by the fans. It was canceled after one eight-episode series and met with mixed reviews.
A French production led by the beautiful actress Agathe Bonitzer, "Osmosis" is set in a futuristic version of Paris in which people use brain data to meet their most desired partners. As expected, things don't go as smoothly as they should, as the scanning of people's brains opens the door to many secrets.
The Witcher
"The Witcher" is one of the crown jewels of Netflix's catalog, and it was renewed for two more seasons that are yet to be released. Based on a novel that inspired a popular video game series, "The Witcher" is a big-budget bet made by the world's most popular streaming service, starring the Hollywood A-lister Henry Cavill as the main protagonist.
With two seasons out and two more to come, "The Witcher" has also inspired the release of the 2021 animated movie "The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf." According to Netflix, Cavill will leave the show at the end of the third season to be replaced by Liam Hemsworth.
Stranger Things
In 2022, die-hard fans of "Stranger Things" learned that their favorite '80s-nostalgia sci-fi series was going to have a fifth and final season. Yet to be released, we expect the ending of "Stranger Things" to continue to be a hit among viewers. Inspired by conspiracy theories and the works of writers such as H. P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, "Stranger Things" is one of Netflix's most popular shows of all time.
With a beautiful soundtrack and a brilliant cast of young actors, "Stranger Things" is more than a streaming series at this point. It's a commercial phenomenon and merchandising best-seller.
The Order
Vampires, werewolves, and the supernatural world continue to be a neverending source of inspiration for TV writers, and Dennis Heaton's "The Order" surely fits the bill. This drama-fantasy series premiered in 2019 and was canceled roughly one year later after two seasons of ten episodes each.
"The Order" is a show about a student who joins a secret magic society known as the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose. Its sudden cancelation remains a mystery to date, as "The Order" was met very favorably by the critics and fans, with both seasons getting a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Spinning Out
Combining the pressure-induced drama of a movie like "Black Swan" with the figure-skating set of a film like "I, Tonya," "Spinning Out" is a Netflix series about a troubled Olympic athlete that never made it past the first season. While ten episodes of "Spinning Out" is all we're left with, there's no doubt this emotional sports drama is worth watching.
The performance of the series star, Kaya Scodelario, surely deserved more than one season. The "Maze Runner" actress did a great job in the role of the main protagonist. Online reviewers loved it too, with one IMDb commentator saying "I couldn't get enough of this."
The Circle
"The Circle" is a reality series first broadcast on United Kingdom's Channel 4 that has since been picked up by Netflix. It was a wise move for the streaming giants, as "The Circle" has become an international phenomenon by now, with a total of four different versions in Britain, the United States, France, and Brazil.
Funnily enough, though, all installments of "The Circle" are filmed in the same Salford apartment that was carefully designed to be inhabited by the contestants. In the apartment, participants are filmed while trying to overcome a series of challenges and avoid elimination. The American version was renewed for a fifth season in 2022.
Never Have I Ever
Fans of the TV series "Never Have I Ever" should be excited to learn that the show was renewed for a fourth and final season by Netflix. Announced for 2023, the fourth season of "Never Have I Ever" will likely continue to have ten episodes. One of the most culturally-diverse comedies in streaming, this 2020 series was co-created by the former "The Office" star Mindy Kaling.
The plot was reportedly inspired by Kaling's experiences while growing up and focuses on the day-to-day life of an Indian-American high school student who's abruptly left fatherless. Described as "adorable and fun," it makes for a refreshing take on the high school experience.
Mr. Iglesias
"Mr. Iglesias" is a sitcom classic: get a funny comedian, make him interact with a cast of young stars, and you have a recipe for success! While "Mr. Iglesias" was canceled by Netflix in the summer of 2021, it did run for three seasons. Most of the sitcom's appeal comes from its protagonist: the ever-lovely stand-up comedy superstar Gabriel Iglesias, affectionately known as Fluffy.
Make no mistake, though: despite looking like just another easygoing sitcom, "Mr. Iglesias" was a hit not only among fans but also among critics. Traditional sitcoms can have a hard time convincing bored-out-of-their-mind TV buffs, but this one did great.
Elite
A Netflix series rarely gets a fourth or even third season. However, the Spanish production "Elite" was renewed for a whopping seventh season in 2022! A major hit in Spanish-speaking countries, "Elite" tells the story of three working-class students who are forced to endure many challenges once they start attending classes at an elite high school.
While extremely watchable, "Elite" is far from being a light show, as it explores deep topics and tends to feature some binge-worthy mystery elements. Interestingly enough, every season takes place in two different timelines. The cast is a who's who of Spanish stars headlined by Omar Ayuso and Itzan Escamilla.
Country Comfort
In "Country Comfort," the American singer-songwriter/actress Katharine McPhee finally found a role in which she could give it all. Portraying a struggling singer who starts a band after becoming the nanny to a family filled with talented musicians, McPhee was surely sad to learn that Netflix decided to cancel her show a mere four months after it premiered in 2021.
Country music will never run out of steam. "Country Comfort," however, did. The sitcom never made it past season one despite winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the show has a 50% approval rating.
Trinkets
Canceled by Netflix after two seasons of ten episodes each, "Trinkets" is one of those series that's hard not to like. Fun to watch but filled with emotional turnovers and some crime-flick elements, it tells the story of three young women who develop an unexpected friendship after meeting each other at a Shoplifters Anonymous session.
Based on a same-titled novel, "Trinkets" gets its charm from the three main characters and the actresses portraying them. Quintessa Swindell plays a wealthy young woman, Brianna Hildebrand is a shy introvert, and Kiana Madeira portrays a punk with bad-girl vibes. The series' final season aired in the summer of 2020.