TV Reboots That Flopped Hard Because of Gender-Swap Drama

When classic TV shows are rebooted, creators often try to update them for modern audiences by adding new viewpoints and changing characters. These changes can cause strong reactions – and sometimes arguments – among fans who loved the original shows. Sometimes, these reboots struggle when the new versions don’t meet what viewers expected, especially when it comes to casting and the storyline. The shows below tried to reinvent themselves with gender-swapped characters and other big changes, but they weren’t able to keep viewers interested for very long.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Rob Brooks runs a record store in Brooklyn and is haunted by past relationships, constantly finding solace in music. This series offers a fresh take on a familiar story by featuring a female lead – a role originally played by a man in the movie. The show delves into Rob’s inner life, focusing on her difficulty overcoming heartbreak. Although critics were intrigued, the series was unfortunately canceled after just one season. The decision to change the lead’s gender sparked considerable discussion among longtime fans, with many debating whether it was a necessary change.

‘The Watch’ (2021)

This fantasy show draws inspiration from the characters created by Terry Pratchett in his popular books, but it made significant changes. For example, characters like Sybil Vane were reimagined with different genders and appearances. Many fans of the original books expressed their dissatisfaction with these changes and the show’s overall tone. As a result, the series didn’t attract a large audience and was cancelled after one season. Critics agreed that straying from the established story and characters played a major role in its lack of success.

‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’ (2021)

This animated series continues the story of the original cartoon, but it centers on Teela instead of He-Man. The show follows Teela’s journey to save Eternia after a major disaster. Some fans were disappointed by He-Man’s smaller part and the emphasis on female leads. The show received very different reactions from critics and viewers, and the initial negative response heavily influenced how people talked about it, even after a second season was released.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This animated series offers a fresh take on the beloved mystery characters, updating their stories and personalities. The show centers around Velma and features completely redesigned characters and relationships. However, it received a lot of criticism from viewers who didn’t like the changes or how they were handled. Many felt the show’s humor and storyline were unfairly harsh to the original characters. Despite the backlash, the series lasted for two seasons before being cancelled.

‘Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac’ (2019–2020)

This new version of the classic anime made a significant change: they reimagined the character Shun as a woman. While the original Shun challenged expectations for men, this gender swap sparked controversy among fans. The creators hoped it would add more female characters to the team, but many viewers felt it diminished the depth of the original character. Ultimately, the series didn’t live up to previous versions and had to move to a different streaming service.

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

This series follows Jess Valenzuela as she hunts for a long-lost treasure. It features a new generation of adventurers, shifting away from the male lead of the original movies. However, the show didn’t capture the magic of the Nicolas Cage films and struggled to find an audience. Ultimately, Disney canceled it after one season because of low viewership and average reviews. The change in main character didn’t attract the original fans.

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

This series tells the story of how the Pink Ladies first came together, serving as a prequel to the well-known movie. It highlights themes of female strength and tackles social problems popular in the 1950s. The show struggled to blend the familiar, nostalgic feel of the original film with contemporary viewpoints. Ultimately, it was canceled after just one season and then removed from streaming services. Many viewers felt it didn’t capture the same magic as the original movie.

‘Willow’ (2022–2023)

This series picks up where the beloved original fantasy movie left off, with the original star reprising their role. But the story now focuses on a new group of young women who take center stage. Many viewers felt the show strayed too far from what made the original special and disliked the modern way the characters spoke. Ultimately, the show wasn’t renewed and was removed from the streaming service, making it a disappointing attempt to bring the fantasy world back to life.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

The latest version of this well-known teen series follows a new generation of privileged students at a private school in Manhattan. To better represent the world today, the show changed the genders and ethnicities of the characters. A key difference from the original was revealing who was telling the story right away, which altered how the show was built. While the reboot didn’t achieve the same popularity or viewership as the first series, it ran for two seasons on the streaming platform before being canceled.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

This live-action version of the popular anime took some liberties with the original characters and their stories. Changes to characters like Faye Valentine and the reimagining of Gren as gender fluid sparked controversy. Critics also pointed to issues with the show’s speed and its inability to capture the original anime’s unique vibe. Ultimately, Netflix canceled the series quickly after it launched, citing low ratings and high production expenses. Strong negative reactions from dedicated fans also contributed to its cancellation.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

This series centers on Kate Kane and later Ryan Wilder, who both become Gotham’s new protector. Though not a simple gender switch for Batman, the show replaced the usual male lead with a female hero. Production faced difficulties, including a change in lead actresses after season one, falling viewership, and constant comparisons to the established Batman stories. Ultimately, the show was canceled due to changes happening at the network.

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (2021)

This horror series offers a fresh take on the classic slasher genre, centering on a group of teenagers traumatized by a deadly accident. While it updated character dynamics and incorporated elements of contemporary teen dramas, with a focus on female characters, the show received largely negative feedback. Critics and viewers felt the writing was weak and that it lost the suspense of the original movie. Ultimately, the series was canceled after one season due to low viewership and a general feeling that the changes didn’t enhance the established formula.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

The series follows the daughters of Albert Wesker as they try to survive in a world devastated by a virus. It moved away from the source material by introducing new, young female protagonists and reimagining familiar villains. However, many longtime fans didn’t appreciate the show’s focus on teen drama and the changes to established characters. Consequently, the series received low viewership and was canceled after just one season, making it one of the most criticized adaptations in the franchise’s history.

‘Fatal Attraction’ (2023)

This series is a fresh take on a well-known thriller, examining the fallout from an affair with a contemporary lens. It aims to portray the female character, previously depicted as a one-dimensional antagonist, with greater complexity and control over her own story. However, adapting the film’s tight plot into a longer, multi-episode format proved challenging. Ultimately, both critics and viewers found the new version less engaging than the original movie, leading to its cancellation after just one season due to low ratings.

‘True Lies’ (2023)

This TV series is inspired by an action movie about a spy trying to juggle his career and home life. However, the show significantly expanded the role of the spy’s wife, making her an active participant in missions right from the start. This transformed the story from one built on secrets to a true partnership. Unfortunately, the show didn’t capture viewers’ attention and was canceled after just one season. Many felt it lacked the charm and excitement of the original film.

‘Penny Dreadful: City of Angels’ (2020)

As a big fan of the original, I was really intrigued by this spin-off, set in 1930s Los Angeles with a whole new set of characters. It tried something different, blending supernatural stuff with stories about the social and political issues of the time. Honestly, while I appreciated the attempt to move away from the original’s darker, gothic feel and embrace a more modern and diverse approach, it just didn’t quite click. Sadly, it didn’t hold onto the audience the first show had, and it was canceled after only one season. A lot of us fans felt like it strayed too far from what made the original so special, losing that core magic.

‘Thundercats Roar’ (2020)

This new animated series offered a funny and visually unique take on the popular action show from the eighties. However, it significantly changed the characters’ appearances and personalities to attract a younger audience. This sparked strong negative reactions from fans of the original, and the show was canceled after just one season. Most people agreed the biggest reason for its failure was how different it was from the original series.

‘Dead Ringers’ (2023)

This suspenseful series offers a fresh take on a classic thriller, now featuring female twin doctors instead of male ones. Rachel Weisz plays both sisters in a story that delves into troubling questions about medical boundaries and dangerous fixations. Though Weisz’s performance was highly acclaimed, the show didn’t attract a large viewership. Its unsettling themes and unique angle made it appeal to a smaller, more specific audience, and it didn’t generate the same widespread discussion as the original film.

‘Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.’ (2021–2023)

This show is a fresh take on a classic nineties series about a teen doctor, but with a female protagonist set in Hawaii. It aimed to recreate the original’s appeal while adding more cultural richness and updating the setting for today’s audiences. After two seasons on its streaming service, the show was canceled. Although it had a loyal young fanbase, it didn’t achieve widespread popularity, and many viewers felt the link to the original wasn’t strong enough to keep them engaged over time.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

This compelling drama’s third season followed a group of friends in New Orleans as they dealt with a difficult event. Unlike previous seasons, it featured a more diverse cast, representing a wider range of identities and backgrounds within the LGBTQ+ community. While the show strived for a realistic and varied portrayal of modern LGBTQ+ life, it didn’t attract enough viewers to continue, and was canceled just a few months after premiering on the streaming platform.

‘American Gigolo’ (2022)

This show is a new take on a beloved film, but it features updated characters and a different storyline. It centers around a man who works as an escort and is trying to rebuild his life after being released from prison. While the show aimed for a darker, more dramatic feel, some viewers didn’t connect with it. Ultimately, it was canceled after just one season because of low viewership and disagreements about the show’s direction. Despite the effort to refresh the original story, the revival wasn’t successful.

‘First Kill’ (2022)

This show is a teen romance about a vampire and a monster hunter who fall in love, even though their families are rivals. It’s unique because it centers on a female lead and flips typical supernatural tropes, offering a fresh take on the genre. While it quickly built a dedicated fanbase online, Netflix canceled the series after just one season, saying it didn’t reach their viewership goals. This decision upset many fans who believed the show had potential and deserved another chance.

‘Gotham Knights’ (2023)

This show is set in a future where Bruce Wayne is gone, and centers on his adopted son and the children of Batman’s former villains. It features a fresh group of heroes and moves away from the classic characters Gotham is known for. While the idea was interesting, the series received negative feedback about its overall quality and how much it changed established Batman stories. Ultimately, it was canceled after just one season because the network decided to focus on different kinds of superhero content. Many viewers also struggled to become invested in the new characters and understand their reasons for doing what they did.

‘The Winchesters’ (2022–2023)

This series, a prequel to the popular show Supernatural, reveals how John and Mary Winchester first met and began their journey. While it focused on their younger years, it also altered some details from the original show’s established story. This led to mixed reactions from fans, some of whom didn’t appreciate the changes in storyline and overall feel. Ultimately, the show was canceled after one season and wasn’t picked up by any other network, failing to achieve the same level of success as Supernatural.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2022)

As a TV critic, I have to say this ‘Saved by the Bell’ reboot was a surprisingly smart update. It wasn’t just a rehash of the old show; it tackled issues like class and diversity with a new group of Bayside students. The writers were clever, and I appreciated how they playfully poked fun at the original series’ familiar tropes. Sadly, despite the positive buzz, the streaming service pulled the plug after two seasons. It just couldn’t build a big enough audience to justify continuing, which is a real shame because it had potential.

‘How I Met Your Father’ (2022–2023)

This new show, a spin-off of the popular sitcom, features a female narrator named Sophie and focuses on her and her friends. Like the original, it tells its story through flashbacks while exploring the challenges of dating in New York City today. However, the series faced difficulties because viewers constantly compared it to the original show and its cast. Ultimately, it was canceled after just two seasons, leaving the big question of Sophie’s father’s identity unanswered, which frustrated fans of the series.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2011)

The recent effort to bring back the beloved detective series introduced a fresh team of investigators with contemporary skills and diverse backgrounds. However, the show immediately drew comparisons to the original and popular movie versions. Viewers didn’t tune in, and after just four episodes, the series was canceled. Attempts to update the team’s relationships didn’t appeal to audiences at the time.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

This reimagining of the classic supernatural series follows three sisters who learn they have magical powers after their mother passes away. While the sisters have new names and histories, the show also explores more complex political and social issues. However, the series faced criticism from fans of the original and even some of its original cast members. Though it ran for four seasons, ratings were often uneven, and ultimately the show was canceled when the network decided to focus on different types of programming.

‘Fantasy Island’ (2021–2023)

This show is a continuation of the original series, but with a new lead character: Elena Roarke, a descendant of Mr. Roarke. She welcomes guests to the island, where their deepest desires become reality. Each episode explored contemporary issues and characters’ journeys of self-discovery, featuring a different cast of guest stars. Unfortunately, after two seasons, the show was canceled due to falling ratings, and the new lead wasn’t able to sustain audience interest.

‘Kung Fu’ (2021–2023)

A young woman of Chinese American descent leaves college and travels to a remote monastery in China. Upon her return home, she uses the martial arts skills she learned to defend her neighborhood. This updated version features a female lead, replacing the original male character to appeal to modern audiences. However, the show struggled to keep consistent ratings throughout its three seasons, with many viewers drawing comparisons between it and the beloved series from the 1970s.

‘Bionic Woman’ (2007)

This new version of the 1970s series features Michelle Ryan as a woman who gets robotic implants after a serious accident. The show aimed for a realistic and intense take on the superhero story, but faced problems with delays and shifting ideas during its creation. Ultimately, it was canceled after just eight episodes, as viewers didn’t respond to this updated version of the well-known character.

Tell us what you think about these television reboots and their character changes in the comments.

2026-01-06 14:49