Low Numbers Strike Again: Netflix Cancels Two New Shows After Only One Season

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Netflix has chosen to discontinue two recently launched series, “Pulse” and “The Residence,” as they each ran for only a single season. This information originates from Deadline, who stated that the shows failed to draw sufficient viewership to warrant their continued presence on the platform.

On March 20th, the film titled “The Residence” hit the screens, featuring Uzo Aduba, famously recognized from “Orange is the New Black.” In this production, she portrays a detective who unravels a murder mystery that transpired during a White House state dinner.

The intriguing television series managed to maintain a playful atmosphere even with its murder plotline, earning positive responses. On Rotten Tomatoes, it garnered an impressive 85% rating from critics and 78% approval from viewers – ratings higher than those for Squid Game.

However, the show faced a significant challenge – its production costs were quite high. According to Deadline, it might have been the priciest White House set constructed for television, potentially ruling out a second season.

Additionally, it came out only a week following the explosive success of Netflix’s “Adolescence”. This show quickly gained a massive audience, diverting focus from “The Residence”.

Despite receiving generally positive reviews and having an intriguing premise set within the White House for a humorous murder mystery, the show struggled to maintain its pace. A critic noted that Uzo Aduba’s quirky detective character added a touch of elegance to the plot, but ultimately the show didn’t provide enough mental stimulation. Metacritic assigned the series a score of 66 out of 100, classifying it as “generally favorable.

The television series titled “Pulse,” debuting on April 3rd, unfortunately didn’t garner the expected response. This drama was set against the backdrop of a Miami hospital amidst a hurricane, with a storyline revolving around a band of surgical trainees managing the aftermath of a sexual harassment allegation. The ensemble included Willa Fitzgerald, recognized from “Reacher,” and Jessie T. Usher, a familiar face from “The Boys.

The movie faced challenges from both critics and audiences, receiving a less than favorable response. Rotten Tomatoes assigned it a rating of 48%, while Metacritic also gave it the same score. Critics generally found it underwhelming.

The first critique from Variety stated, “Although the performances were good, the disorganized plot, the inappropriate portrayal of sexual misconduct, and some irritating characters don’t create an enjoyable viewing experience.” Another comment mentioned that the show’s treatment of the #MeToo movement was not fully fleshed out.

The acting was good, but the confusing plot, offensive depiction of sexual harassment, and annoying characters made it hard to enjoy watching the show. Additionally, the portrayal of the #MeToo movement in the storyline wasn’t well-developed.

Compared to other popular shows like Adolescence and Squid Game (season 3), Pulse didn’t quite measure up when it came to initial viewership. While it garnered approximately 20 million views in its first four weeks, Adolescence reached 24 million within only two weeks, and Squid Game season 3 managed an impressive 60 million views in just three days. In other words, Pulse had a lower initial view count compared to these other titles.

Netflix tends to promptly end shows that fail to gain significant popularity, and unfortunately, these two productions didn’t manage to attract sufficient viewership or interest. Despite boasting popular actors and relevant topics, neither of the series could generate enough impact to secure another season.

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2025-07-07 12:21