The 2019-20 season is at an end now, but there are still quite a number of sci fi and fantasy shows waiting for a renewal/cancellation announcement. We have already seen quite a number of genre entries that have been cancelled or have ended this season, and I expect more to follow before all is said and done. Following are all the shows from this past season that are still in play, along with my thoughts on where they currently stand. For some of these shows, a Call to Action from fans on the social networks could help convince their networks to greenlight another season. We have seen fans save shows like Lucifer, The Expanse, and Timeless in past seasons, and more could be added to that list. Be sure to keep up with our Cancellation Watch posts for the latest status updates as well as breaking news.
>ALSO READ: All of the Cancelled and Ended Sci Fi TV Shows from the 2019-20 Season (So Far)
Amazing Stories (Apple TV+, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): So far, Apple TV+ has renewed most of its original series, so it is surprising that there has been no word on this one yet. But I still consider it to have a decent chance of coming back for a second season unless there may be rights or licensing issues mucking things up.
Brave New World (Peacock, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): The reception for this series has been only lukewarm at best in its first season, but I would still expect Peacock to give it a second season renewal because the streamer will want to support its original series.
Castle Rock (Hulu, Season Ended, Status: On the Bubble): This season-long horror anthology series released is second season in Fall and could very well be on track for a third year renewal. But the streaming service has been quiet about its status since wrapping up in December. The production shutdowns may have played into that, but it sure seems like we should hear something on this one soon.
Cursed (Netflix, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): This show got off to a decent start with some good buzz when it premiered in July. Most streaming originals have a better than average chance of sticking around for a second season these days, though Netflix has been in cancelling mode lately. Still, I like its chances at this point.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, Season Ended, Status Pending): This show has been well-received by fans and critics and the creative team has indicated that they have plans for a second season. Netflix has not given the greenlight for another round of episodes, though, and production on this show will definitely take a fair amount of time. The first season wrapped up its story rather well, but consider it possible that another season could be on the way at some point.
Devs (Hulu, Season Ended, Status – Ended): This show was billed as a “limited series”, but it left open the possibility that its story could continue. There has been no word on a second season, and Alex Garland suggested in an interview that the story was complete, so I am counting it as ended at this point.
Doom Patrol (HBO Max, Streaming, Status – Renewal Possible): All of the DC Universe shows have now moved to HBO Max, and I am thinking this one has a decent chance for a third season because the streamer will have an incentive to support its originals while it still only has limited offerings.
Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC, Season Ended, Status – Cancellation Likely): The numbers for this show dropped off notably throughout its first season despite a strong lead-in from Better Call Saul. At this point, it seems unlikely it will return for a second season unless it has international financing and/or syndications deals which would keep it viable.
Harley Quinn (HBO Max, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): This is another DC Universe show that has moved over to HBO Max and I believe it has a decent chance of returning for a third season.
JU-ON: Origins (Netflix, Streaming, Status – Renewal Possible): It is unclear if this is intended as a limited series or if it could carry on for multiple seasons. If the latter, expect it to wrap up around the third or fourth season as Netflix shows rarely go longer than that these days.
Lovecraft Country (Netflix, Airing, Status – Renewal Possible): The early numbers for this show are decent, and it has been getting some good buzz as well as potential Emmy attention. Unless viewership tanks, this one should be on track for a second season renewal.
NOS4A2 (AMC, Season Ended, Status – On the Bubble): The numbers for this show have remained low in its second season, even when the BBC America simulcasts are included. I currently have it very much On the Bubble, and it wrapped up its main storyline, so it’s possible this one could be done. Update: This show has been cancelled by AMC.
The Order (Netflix, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): This show did not receive a lot of attention in its first year, but it did manage to get a second season renewal. Netflix has been in the cancelling mode lately, though, so it is uncertain if this one will survive to a third year. And if it does, the streamer tends to cap off its shows around the third or fourth season these days.
Space Force (Netflix, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has received some good buzz early on and it has a powerhouse of talent in front of and behind the cameras. It seemed like a sure thing for renewal, but there has been no word yet, so perhaps Netflix is ironing out contracts with the creative talent.
Star Trek Lower Decks (CBS All Access, Streaming, Status – On the Bubble): There have been some indications that CBS execs are not happy with the early performance of this show, but those come from the rumor mill. The planned reboot of CBS All Access for 2021 may shake things up, so consider this show’s fate to be up in the air at the moment.
Tales from the Loop (Amazon, Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): The streaming services tend to give their originals at least two seasons, but there has been no word on this one yet. It did receive very good buzz after its first season was released, so there is still a chance it could return for a second year.
The Terror (AMC, Season Ended, Status – On the Bubble): After proving to be a hit for AMC in its first season, this show returned with ratings down notably in its second year. But the series reboots itself each year, and network execs were previously listening to pitches for a third season. It has been a year since the second season premiered, though, so I don’t like its chances at this point.
The Twilight Zone (CBSAA, Streaming, Status – Renewal Possible): The critical response to this show has been decent across its first two seasons and it certainly comes at a much lower cost to CBS All Access than the Star Trek entries. I had thought that it had a decent chance of returning for a third season, but the planned reboot of the streaming service for 2021 may shake things up.
Watchmen (HBO, Season Ended, Status Pending): While the same-day viewing numbers for this show were soft in its first season, it did very well in delayed and digital viewing. Series creator Damon Lindelof has said that “there are no current plans to make” to make a second season, but he doesn’t want to “close the door completely” on a continuation. If there is a second season, it may be a few years down the road.
Wynonna Earp (Netflix, Airing, Status – Renewal Possible): The ratings for this show’s long-delayed fourth season premiere were decent for a Syfy show, but it has dropped notably since then. I’m thinking it still has a decent chance for a fifth season renewal, but fans should definitely remain active on the social networks to give the show a boost while it is currently on hiatus (new episodes resume late-2020/early-2021.
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