Television can be a temperamental mistress, and over the years we’ve seen many sub-par shows continue on our screens, while we’ve lost a few absolute gems after just a few seasons, or in some cases, just one. Here we have the 5 shows canceled before time. Along with not being able to enjoy more episodes from a cast we’ve come to love, each of these entries seemed to end on a cliffhanger we never would have resolved.
5. Deadwood
Canceled by HBO supposedly due to a dispute with Paramount Pictures as much as it was related to declining ratings, Deadwood was abruptly canceled weeks before production on its fourth season began. It took its creator David Milch and fans of the series thirteen long years, but there was at least one closure to be had in 2019 when Deadwood: the movie on the screens, and many were happy with the final ending of the story.
Related: 24 TV Shows That Surprisingly Never Became Popular
4. My name is Earl
The first comedy on this list of shows canceled before their time, we have another show that was abruptly canceled without the creator’s knowledge, and thus another show ending on a cliffhanger. The show was canceled after its fourth season, with the final episode ending with the gang finding out that Joy was having yet another affair, and that Darnell wasn’t Earl Jr’s father. We’ll never know who the really was. father, and more. boring, we’ll never see Earl finish his list and find peace with his past bad decisions.
3. Freaks and Geeks
We had a lonely season showcasing the trials and tribulations of being one of the outcasts in high school, and how they handle their life in and out of school. Showing new relationships and old ones, beginning and falling apart, decisions made that could affect their lives, and words and actions said and done that couldn’t be undone, it’s easy to see why young people in twenty years ago were so linked to the series.
2. Hannibal
After three seasons of the most graphic and gory cooking show to date, fans were furious when the show was canceled. Featuring Mads Mikkelsen’s fantastical portrayal of the infamous Hannibal Lecter, the series managed to stay true to the source material, while still managing to chart its own course. It’s no wonder fans, cast, and the show’s creator have been asking for a follow-up of some sort over the past few years.
1. Firefly
The biggest and most disappointing show was canceled before it made it to this list and after just one season. While he was in hot water these days, Joss Whedon was truly a TV darling, with his hits on both Buffy and Angel, but even that clout wasn’t enough to save the show. Luckily (or not with some of the character’s fates), the show got one final movie-style send-off. Serenityso while we’ll never see Nathan Fillion’s Mal again, we do at least get a resolved ending for the crew.
Related: Nathan Fillion Ready To Work With Disgraced Director Joss Whedon For Firefly Revival Despite Abuse Allegations
Honorable mentions
This list could have had fifty entries and there would still be room for more, but I would be remiss if I did not at least briefly mention HBO. Romea fantastic insight into early Roman history in the titular city, Marvel’s Agent Carter, an entire spy show centered around Agent Carter from Captain America: The First Avenger fame, and finally Unlimitedbased on and related to the film of the same name starring Bradley Cooper.
This is my list of shows canceled before their time, but what would make yours?
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