25 Series That Got Axed After One “Woke” Episode Too Many

TV networks and streaming services are always looking at what viewers watch and how they react to shows, which shapes what content they create. Many recent series have tried to tackle current social issues or update older favorites for today’s audiences. Sometimes, this leads to disagreements between the people making the shows and longtime fans, especially when viewers feel like certain additions are forced or politically motivated. Several shows experienced declining viewership after including these elements and were ultimately cancelled because they didn’t attract enough viewers to justify continuing the series.

‘The Acolyte’ (2024)

The latest installment in the Star Wars saga quickly became a point of contention among fans due to its new take on the Jedi and the Force. The third episode, in particular, faced strong criticism for a chanting scene that felt out of place with the overall Star Wars style. As fans debated the creative decisions – especially regarding a group of witches and the hero’s background – viewership numbers declined. Shortly after the final episode, Lucasfilm decided to cancel the show after one season, citing falling audience interest and negative reviews alongside the show’s high production costs.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

From the beginning, the show struggled with finding the right actor and direction for its main character. Viewership dropped significantly after the first season when the lead actress changed and the story took a different turn. The scripts often focused more on social issues than the classic crime-fighting action fans expected from the original comic books. Some viewers felt the show’s political themes were too strong, leading to dissatisfaction. Ultimately, The CW cancelled the series after three seasons due to consistently falling ratings.

‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)

This Marvel series took a unique approach, blending superhero action with legal comedy and directly addressing issues like sexism and negative fan behavior. One scene, featuring the lead character dancing with a famous guest, sparked a lot of debate among critics and quickly went viral. The season finale included a self-aware look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe that some viewers thought lessened the impact of the story. Despite generating a lot of buzz online, the show wasn’t renewed for another season. The writing style proved divisive, with some appreciating the show’s satirical humor and others wishing for a more traditional superhero story.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

Netflix tried to turn the well-known survival horror video game series into a TV show with a story told across two different time periods. However, fans of the games were disappointed, feeling the show strayed too far from the original story and characters. The series focused more on teenage relationships and current social issues than on the scary atmosphere that made the games popular. Viewers were particularly unhappy with how the villain, Albert Wesker, and the dialogue were changed. Because so few people finished watching it, Netflix quickly cancelled the show after it was released.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

As a long-time fan of the source material, I was really disappointed with this live-action adaptation. It just didn’t capture the moody, thought-provoking vibe of the original anime. A lot of viewers, myself included, felt the show’s tone was off, and the changes to the characters and their relationships didn’t work. The writers threw in a lot of modern slang which felt jarring in this futuristic world. Honestly, the biggest complaints centered around how they reimagined Faye Valentine and her connection with the rest of the crew. Sadly, it wasn’t a surprise when Netflix pulled the plug less than a month after it launched – viewership plummeted quickly, and it’s easy to see why.

‘Willow’ (2022–2023)

Disney created a sequel series to its beloved 1988 fantasy film, aiming to introduce the story to a new audience. However, the show received backlash for incorporating contemporary slang and rock music into a traditionally fantastical world. Many original fans felt the new writing diminished the established characters and disrespected the spirit of the first film. After the series was canceled, Disney removed it completely from its streaming service, effectively abandoning the creative choices made by the show’s creators.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This animated series, a prequel to the classic Scooby-Doo cartoons, offered a more mature take on the characters and their adventures, but with some big changes. It used a lot of self-aware humor to poke fun at the original show and common stereotypes. However, viewers didn’t like the way Scooby-Doo and the rest of the gang were portrayed, giving the show very low ratings. Many fans were turned off by the removal of Scooby-Doo himself and the altered personalities of the main characters. After an initial wave of viewers watching simply to criticize the show, Max decided not to renew it for a third season.

‘Y: The Last Man’ (2021)

The highly anticipated series, based on a popular graphic novel, faced many delays before it was finally released. However, the show differed significantly from the source material, emphasizing the political consequences of a catastrophic event that eliminated most men, and downplaying the exciting adventure elements. Many viewers felt the show focused too much on political maneuvering and not enough on the main character’s struggle to survive. Critics also found the series moved too slowly, and the changes from the comic book didn’t appeal to longtime fans. Ultimately, Hulu cancelled the show before the first season was completed.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

HBO Max brought back the popular teen drama, updating it to explore how social media affects wealthy students in New York City. While the reboot aimed to be more aware of social issues like privilege and inequality than the original, critics felt it lacked the deliciously mischievous characters that made the first series so captivating. The show’s writers had a hard time finding the right mix between delivering important messages and providing the scandalous, dramatic storylines fans expected. Ultimately, after two seasons, HBO Max cancelled the show because it didn’t become a major cultural phenomenon.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

The revival of the popular supernatural drama followed three sisters as they learned they were witches while in college. The show’s creator promoted it as a feminist update, which many fans of the original series questioned. Some viewers felt the show awkwardly included current events in its magical stories. Tensions between the new writers and the original cast also turned off potential viewers. Ultimately, The CW cancelled the show after four seasons, as ratings continued to fall.

‘Q-Force’ (2021)

Netflix’s new animated comedy followed a team of LGBTQ+ superspies trying to earn their agency’s respect. However, the trailer sparked criticism from the LGBTQ+ community for relying on tired stereotypes. Many viewers found the humor old-fashioned and felt the characters were overly simplified. Critics believed the show tried too hard to appeal to viewers instead of being truly funny or inclusive. Ultimately, Netflix cancelled the series after just one season without making a formal announcement.

‘First Kill’ (2022)

This teen drama centered around a risky love story between a vampire and someone who hunted monsters. Although it gained a loyal online following, not enough people finished watching each episode to meet Netflix’s expectations. Reviewers noted that the show looked cheap and the overly emotional storylines felt like copies of other popular shows. While it tried to explore important social issues through a vampire lens, the story often lost steam. Despite passionate fans pleading for more, Netflix cancelled the series after just one season.

‘Santa Inc.’ (2021)

The animated series starring Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman was designed for adults and followed an elf trying to become the next Santa Claus, all while poking fun at the traditional, male-dominated power structure at the North Pole. However, the show was a critical and audience failure, earning some of the lowest ratings ever recorded. Most viewers disliked its raunchy humor and its take on beloved holiday customs, leading HBO Max to cancel it after just one season.

‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ (2023)

This show was a prequel to the original movie, telling the story of how the Pink Ladies formed at Rydell High. While it attempted to address contemporary issues of gender and race within a 1950s framework, reviewers found the music unmemorable and the modern themes didn’t quite fit the period setting. Just a few months after the last episode, Paramount+ completely removed the series from its streaming service, and a financial strategy made its cancellation permanent.

‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ (2022–2023)

As a big fan of the National Treasure movies, I was really excited when Disney+ announced the show. But honestly, it just didn’t capture the magic for me. They went with a completely new, younger lead and tried to tackle some heavier themes about history and finding your place, which was interesting, but it felt way too childish compared to the films. The puzzles weren’t nearly as clever or challenging, and let’s be real, it was just not the same without Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates! Sadly, it seems a lot of other fans felt the same way, and Disney+ ended up cancelling it after only one season because people just weren’t watching.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

I was really captivated by Zoë Kravitz in this fresh take on a beloved story! The show was so clever – a record store owner looking back at her love life, told through amazing music, and she’d even talk directly to the audience. It got pretty good reviews, but sadly, it didn’t seem to find a huge audience on Hulu. I heard some people thought updating the story lost some of the original’s unique emotional punch. It was a shock to everyone involved when Hulu cancelled it after only one season – the cast seemed genuinely heartbroken, and honestly, so was I.

‘4400’ (2021–2022)

The CW recently revived the 2004 sci-fi show about people who disappeared and then reappeared from the future with no memories. This new version focused heavily on the experiences of these returnees, particularly those from marginalized groups, and how the government treated them. However, fans of the original series felt the reboot lacked the intriguing mystery and suspense that made the first show so compelling. Critics also pointed out that the writing seemed to prioritize delivering a message over developing the story. Ultimately, the network cancelled the show after just one season as part of a broader overhaul of its programming.

‘Tom Swift’ (2022)

This show, a spin-off of the Nancy Drew series, followed a highly intelligent, wealthy inventor as he investigated science fiction-based mysteries. It was designed to showcase a unique lead character in a genre often filled with familiar tropes. Unfortunately, the show didn’t attract many viewers and had some of the lowest ratings on television. The CW cancelled it after just five episodes, though the rest of the season eventually aired. A somewhat unusual storyline combined with a lack of advertising likely contributed to its quick cancellation.

‘Naomi’ (2022)

Ava DuVernay brought a recent DC comic book character to life in a series for The CW. The show centered on a teen uncovering a supernatural mystery and learning about her past. However, viewers found the story moved too slowly and disliked how much it differed from the original comic. It didn’t attract a large enough superhero fan base to succeed, and was cancelled after one season, along with other DC shows.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2021)

Peacock brought back the 90s sitcom, featuring both familiar faces and a new generation of students at Bayside High. The reboot playfully poked fun at the original show, emphasizing the characters’ privileged lifestyles. Though critics praised its clever humor, the show’s reliance on nostalgia wasn’t enough to maintain viewership. Over time, the self-aware jokes lost their appeal with viewers who preferred a more classic sitcom format, leading to its cancellation by the streaming service after two seasons.

‘Renegade Nell’ (2024)

This British show blended historical drama with fantasy and adventure, telling the story of a young woman wrongly accused of murder who turns to a life of highway robbery. It included magic and featured a cast that didn’t always fit the time period, similar to other recent historical dramas. Some viewers enjoyed the show’s mix of intense action and lighthearted fantasy, while others didn’t. Despite being written by the acclaimed Sally Wainwright, Disney decided not to order another season, likely due to the expensive costs of creating a fantasy series set in the past.

‘Paper Girls’ (2022)

Amazon created a TV show based on the well-known comic about four friends delivering newspapers who unexpectedly become involved in a time war. To make it work for television, the show altered the look and timeline of the original comic. Many fans felt these changes removed the bright, energetic style and quick pace that made the comic so good. The show also didn’t receive much promotion compared to Amazon’s other big projects, and after just one season, it was cancelled, leaving viewers with an unresolved cliffhanger.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

Peacock updated a popular British and American show, moving the story to present-day New Orleans. The new version followed a group of friends dealing with the aftermath of a nightclub tragedy. However, viewers found it much more intense and upsetting than the original, which had been more lighthearted. The show didn’t connect with audiences as well as the earlier versions and was cancelled after just one season due to low ratings.

‘The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder’ (2022)

This live-action continuation of the popular animated series featured a new main character alongside the familiar fairy godparents. However, the show received criticism for its over-the-top humor and for moving away from the original star, Timmy Turner. Many dedicated fans disliked the live-action style and felt the writing wasn’t as good as the original cartoon. It was quickly removed from Paramount+ after being canceled and is now seen as an unsuccessful effort to capitalize on feelings of nostalgia for the 2000s.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

This new version of a beloved sitcom followed a Black family in Alabama during the late 1960s. While critics liked the acting, it didn’t attract as many viewers as the original series. Some viewers felt that the show’s heavier, more dramatic episodes didn’t quite fit with its lighthearted, nostalgic style. The show also experienced problems with production and behind-the-scenes conflicts, which slowed it down. After a long break, ABC cancelled it after two seasons.

Share your thoughts on which of these cancellations were justified in the comments.

2025-11-30 16:53