20 TV Reboots That Race-Swapped Characters and Lost 90% of Viewers

TV networks and streaming services often bring back beloved shows and movies, hoping to appeal to today’s viewers while also making updates. A common change is altering the ethnicity of characters to better reflect the diversity of modern audiences and offer a new take on well-known stories. However, these changes aren’t always well-received by critics or longtime fans. Often, these updated shows have trouble keeping viewers and end up being canceled after just a season or two.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This animated series tells the story of how the Scooby-Doo gang first came together, but with a fresh, more diverse cast. Velma is now a South Asian character, voiced by Mindy Kaling, and other characters like Daphne and Shaggy have also been reimagined with different ethnicities. Unlike the original Scooby-Doo cartoons, this show is aimed at adults and includes violence and self-aware humor. However, many viewers haven’t been happy with the changes to the characters and the way the show is written. Despite receiving very low ratings – some of the worst ever recorded for a television series – it has already been renewed for a second season.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

Netflix created a live-action version of the classic anime series, aiming for a visually striking take on the space western style. The show starred John Cho as Spike Spiegel and Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black, offering a fresh look at the beloved characters. While the writers added to the story and changed some character histories to suit a longer, serialized format, many original fans disliked the changes in tone and how the relationships between the main characters were portrayed. Unfortunately, Netflix cancelled the show less than a month after it launched, citing a significant decline in viewers despite its high production cost.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

This science fiction horror series takes a different path than the original video game, telling the story across two separate time periods. Lance Reddick plays Albert Wesker, offering a fresh take on the character, who is usually portrayed as a white villain. The story centers on Wesker’s daughters as they try to survive in a world devastated by the T-virus. Many viewers felt the show resembled a typical teen drama more than a true adaptation of the survival horror games. Due to negative reviews and low viewership, Netflix cancelled the series soon after it premiered.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

The CW reimagined the popular show about witch sisters, updating the setting and featuring a Latina cast. This new version centers on the Vera sisters, who learn they have magical powers after their mother passes away. The show’s creators wanted to explore feminist ideas and current events within the storylines. However, original actors and dedicated fans expressed disappointment with how the show was promoted and how it differed from the original series. Viewership numbers dropped over four seasons, leading to the show’s cancellation.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

This funny and heartwarming show about growing up moves the story from a typical white neighborhood to a Black family’s life in Montgomery, Alabama, in the late 1960s. It looks at the changing times through the experiences of a young boy named Dean Williams, and Don Cheadle provides the narration. The series aims to feel like the original while also tackling important issues of race and segregation. Although critics praised the acting and writing, the show didn’t attract a large enough audience and was cancelled by ABC after two seasons, falling short of the success of the show it was based on.

‘Party of Five’ (2020)

As a big fan of family dramas, I was really intrigued by this show. It took a classic setup – siblings having to raise each other – and gave it a heartbreakingly modern twist. Instead of a tragic accident, the Acosta kids are left to fend for themselves when their parents are deported to Mexico. It’s a tough watch, honestly, because it really dives into the realities of the immigration system and all the struggles families face. The actors were incredible, and it felt really important and timely. Sadly, despite all the good things, it didn’t find a big audience and was canceled after just one season, which is a shame.

‘4400’ (2021–2022)

This new take on the sci-fi series follows 4,400 people who disappeared over the past hundred years and suddenly reappear. The show particularly highlights Black history and focuses on the individual difficulties these returnees face in today’s world. The writers explored issues of social justice, considering the unique challenges each character experienced based on when they were originally lost. While some fans of the original series felt the new version was slower-paced and had less impressive special effects, The CW ultimately cancelled it after one season due to low viewership and a lack of public interest.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

HBO Max brought back the popular teen drama with a fresh look, including a more diverse cast and a storyline centered on the influence of social media on privileged high school students. This version starred a Black female lead and portrayed LGBTQ+ relationships more prominently. Unlike the original, the identity of the anonymous blogger was revealed right away. However, reviewers found the characters difficult to connect with and missed the lighthearted, over-the-top vibe of the first series. Ultimately, the reboot was cancelled after two seasons because it didn’t keep enough viewers engaged.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Okay, so I was really into this show starring Zoë Kravitz. She plays a record store owner in Brooklyn, and it’s basically a fresh take on a story you might recognize – it’s inspired by a book and movie, but with a cool twist. They moved the setting to a changing neighborhood, and the whole show unfolds through her five most memorable breakups. Honestly, the music was amazing, and Zoë was fantastic. I was so bummed when Hulu cancelled it after only one season, leaving that main love story hanging! It didn’t really make sense, considering how well it was received, but apparently it just didn’t reach a wide enough audience for them.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2021)

The show’s return featured a mix of students from poorer neighborhoods attending the wealthy Bayside High, following a school closure initiative. It welcomed back original stars Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley, but centered on a new group of teenagers. The writing was filled with self-aware jokes and satire, playfully referencing the original series. Although critics praised the show’s more sophisticated humor, it didn’t attract a large enough audience on Peacock and was cancelled after two seasons, despite receiving a GLAAD Media Award.

‘Head of the Class’ (2021)

As a big fan of teen comedies, I was really excited about this show starring Isabella Gomez. It’s a reimagining of a classic 80s sitcom, following a teacher and her super-driven high school students. The idea was to bring a more modern feel to the classroom, tackling issues kids face today and the pressure to succeed academically. What I appreciated most was that it focused on the students’ emotional journeys, not just their grades. Unfortunately, while it had good intentions, I found the humor a little too mild and the stories didn’t really stick with me, especially when compared to other shows in the genre. It’s a shame HBO Max cancelled it after only one season, as part of a larger shake-up of their content.

‘Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.’ (2021–2023)

Disney+ updated the classic show ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’, this time featuring a teenage medical genius of Asian and white heritage who lives in Hawaii. The series portrays her balancing the demands of being a doctor with the everyday struggles of being a high school student. To stand out from the original, the show incorporated Hawaiian culture and local language. Despite being a family-friendly show connected to a popular title, viewership declined, and Disney+ cancelled it after two seasons.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

Originally, Ruby Rose played Kate Kane in the series, but she left and was replaced by Javicia Leslie, who took on the role of a new character, Ryan Wilder. This casting made Batwoman the first live-action TV show to feature a Black woman in the lead role. Throughout its three seasons, the show faced declining ratings as writers worked to reshape the story around the new lead. Viewers often criticized the writing and how established characters from the ‘Arrowverse’ were portrayed. Ultimately, The CW cancelled the series due to consistently falling viewership.

‘Kung Fu’ (2021–2023)

This updated version of a classic 1970s western addresses past casting issues by starring Asian-American actress Olivia Liang as the lead. She plays a skilled martial artist who defends her San Francisco neighborhood. The show combines fantasy, family relationships, and crime investigations. Although it initially attracted a large audience, viewership declined over its three seasons. Ultimately, the series was canceled because the network decided to focus less on creating its own original scripted shows.

‘Ironside’ (2013)

Blair Underwood starred in a remake of a classic detective show, a role originally made famous by Raymond Burr in the 1960s. The new version aimed for a darker, more action-packed feel, but quickly faced criticism. Disability advocates protested the casting of an actor without a disability in the role of a wheelchair-using detective. Critics also disliked the show’s predictable plot and unsympathetic main character. After just three episodes and very low viewership, NBC canceled the series.

‘Uncle Buck’ (2016)

This sitcom, starring Mike Epps, is based on the classic John Hughes film and features an entirely Black cast. The show centers around a carefree uncle who moves in with his brother’s family to help with the kids. However, critics disliked it, saying it relied on tired clichés and didn’t capture the spirit of the original movie. The jokes didn’t resonate with viewers, leading to low ratings, and ABC cancelled the series shortly after the final episode aired.

‘Rush Hour’ (2016)

Justin Hires and Jon Foo took on the iconic roles previously played by Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in this action-comedy series. While the show tried to recapture the on-screen chemistry of the original movies, each episode focused on a different crime. Critics pointed out that the show’s limited budget resulted in less impressive action scenes, and the writing didn’t have the same spark as the films. Ultimately, the series couldn’t compete with other police dramas on television and quickly lost its audience, leading to its cancellation by CBS after just one season.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

Peacock released a new take on the popular British and American series set in New Orleans, featuring a diverse group of actors. The story follows a group of friends in the LGBTQ+ community as they cope with a tragedy that happened at a local club. This version of the show is more focused on the serious effects of trauma and the strength it takes to recover, moving away from the party-focused themes of earlier seasons. Viewers generally found the show to be surprisingly grim and the plotlines confusing, and Peacock decided not to order another season.

‘Tom Swift’ (2022)

This show, a spin-off of ‘Nancy Drew,’ centers around a Black billionaire inventor solving mysteries. It combines sci-fi with glamorous fashion and dramatic relationships, aiming for a fun, over-the-top style different from other teen mysteries on the channel. Unfortunately, ratings were very low from the start and continued to decline, leading to the show’s cancellation by The CW after just five episodes.

‘Training Day’ (2017)

This police drama is a sequel to a popular film, but with a twist: it reverses the roles of the main characters’ races. Justin Cornwell stars as a hopeful new Black officer, while Bill Paxton plays a seasoned white detective with questionable ethics. The series tried to adapt the film’s gripping story into a standard weekly crime show. Sadly, Bill Paxton passed away soon after filming finished, creating uncertainty about the show’s future. Ultimately, CBS cancelled it after one season because of low viewership and Paxton’s death.

Please share your thoughts on these reboots and whether you watched them in the comments.

2025-11-30 12:17