Not every TV series manages to deliver a proper ending. Sometimes a series is cancelled because it doesn’t achieve enough traction to persuade producers to keep the project alive; other times, the reasons are different. In fact, there are shows that win over critics and audiences, yet are plagued by insurmountable issues like high costs and tight budgets; and so, true injustices can occur. Here is a short list of television series that were prematurely shut down, despite being genuine masterpieces: although unfinished, you shouldn’t miss them!
TV series unjustly cancelled: Here are the ones we recommend
- The OA
- Mindhunter
- Archive 81 – Alternate Universes
- Deadwood
The OA
Prairie Johnson is a young blind woman who vanishes and reappears seven years later. In the hospital, doctors discover that Prairie has fully regained her sight, and they cannot explain how it happened. The girl has no intention of explaining—neither to her adoptive parents nor to the FBI agents—what happened to her, and instead she defines herself as “The Original Soul”; then, she recruits a few locals to carry out a special mission: together they must tell her story, and especially open a doorway to reach other dimensions. The OA is a 2016 TV series created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, who envisioned five seasons; however, Netflix cancelled it after only two, provoking strong reactions from fans, who even staged protests and hunger strikes. It comprises 2 seasons and 16 episodes that you can find on the aforementioned platform.
Mindhunter
In the late 1970s, two FBI agents from the Behavioral Sciences Unit—Holden Ford and Bill Tench—join forces with a psychologist, Wendy Carr, to revolutionize the world of criminology. They dedicate themselves to interviewing some of the most infamous serial killers in American history, such as Charles Manson, in order to understand the workings of their minds and to build a profile of a killer. Mindhunter is a 2017 TV series that has long been considered one of the cornerstones of contemporary investigative thrillers; yet Netflix decided to pause it and ultimately shelve it due to the exorbitant production costs. It spans 2 seasons and 19 episodes, and is a must-watch on the platform mentioned above.
Archive 81 – Alternate Universes
Dan Turner is an expert archivist who specializes in damaged tapes, and one day he is hired by a mysterious billionaire to restore a collection of 1990s videotapes. These films were shot by a student, Melody Pendras, who conducted documented research on a dangerous cult in New York. During the restoration, Dan realizes—with some unease—that he can interact with the pasts of the young woman. Archive 81 – Alternate Universes is a 2022 TV series that quickly climbed to the top of global viewing charts, but it was cancelled after one season due to budget limitations, leaving the story unfinished. It has 1 season and 8 episodes, available on Netflix.
Deadwood
Set in the 1870s during the gold rush, Deadwood depicts a lawless town in South Dakota coming to life. Here, there are no laws beyond the strongest—and the most brutal—in a landscape of saloons and brothels, led by the shrewd and ruthless Al Swearengen. Deadwood is a 2004 TV series, long regarded as one of HBO’s masterpieces; however, it was abruptly canceled after its third season due to high production costs and some contractual controversies. The dissatisfaction caused by this decision was such that the creator, David Milch, had to shoot a concluding film, Deadwood: The Movie, thirteen years later. It comprises 3 seasons and 36 episodes that you can stream on Paramount+.
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