Mid-Season 2021-22 has arrived, and quite a number of sci fi and fantasy shows will join the schedule over the next few months with several more carrying over from the Fall months. Following is my rundown on all of the shows currently on the schedule, as well as those that will join the lineup by early Spring, along with my predictions on whether they will survive beyond the current season. My predictions are largely driven by the network scorecards I put together over the Summer which look at how sci fi and fantasy shows have performed on those venues over the past ten years. With fewer and fewer genre entries on the linear networks, it is harder to gauge the status of current shows since there is not as much ratings data. And Netflix has proven that ranking in the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 provides no guarantee that a show will be renewed with the quick cancellations of highly-watched originals like Cowboy Bebop, The Irregulars, and Jupiter’s Legacy. But looking back at how networks have handled genre entries over past seasons gives us at least something to go on. The renewal prospects that I will assign from most to least likely to be renewed are as follows: Very Good, Good, Fair, Toss-up, Poor. You can see the rundown of all the cancelled and ending shows from the 2021-22 season so far at this link, and you can see the status of all the active and returning shows at this link. You can see the current Mid-Season schedule at this link and be sure to follow our Cancellation Watch posts throughout the season for updates and ratings results as well as our weekly Sci Fi TV Update posts.
>See the rundown of all the cancelled and ending shows from the 2021-22 season so far
4400 (CW, Returns from Hiatus Jan 17th): The numbers have dropped for this show since its premiere, but it continues to do well for The CW and it is currently performing about in line with the network average for non-repeat and non-special programming. The CW tends to issue a blanket renewal for its Fall shows around January or February which means that this one has a good chance of continuing into a second season.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Astrid and Lilly Save the World (Syfy, Premieres Jan 26): It does not appear that Syfy or its parent company NBCUniversal has an ownership stake in this monster-hunter dramedy, and the show has not received much in the way of promotion beyond teasers on Syfy. It could turn into a surprise hit, or it could join the ever-growing list of one-and-done shows from that network.
Renewal Prospects: Toss-up
Batwoman (CW, Season 3 Returns from Hiatus Jan 12): This is not one of the higher-rated Arrow-verse entries on The CW, but that is not a big issue for that network. It does well in digital viewing (The CW pays more attention to those stats than the other broadcast nets) and it is in the syndication stretch meaning one more season will get it enough episodes for an extended encore run. Plus, The CW almost always allows its shows to go for at least four seasons once they have made it past the first year. Expect at least one more year from this one, though it is possible the network could shake up its Arrow-verse entries after that.
Renewal Prospects: Very Good
Blade Runner: Black Lotus (Adult Swim, Seson 1 Continues from Fall): This Anime is a co-production with Adult Swim and Crunchyroll and its linear ratings are about in line with other Adult Swim entries. It could stick around for another season and possibly more.
Renewal Prospects: Good
The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+, Season 1 Continues from Fall): Director/executive producer Robert Rodriguez has indicated that there is a good chance this one could return for a second season, but that will depend on how many people tune in. I expect that it will draw plenty of attention seeing as Boba Fett has long been a fan-favorite character, so a second season certainly seems like a good bet at this point.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Britannia (EPIX, Season 3 Premieres Jan 16): This fantasy epic started as a co-production between Sky and Amazon’s Prime Video, but it has since moved to EPIX for its first run in the U.S. (the first two seasons are available on Prime Video). There is no word at this point if this one will continue beyond its third season, and since it is an expensive production, it could be looking to wrap up sooner rather than later.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
Charmed (CW, Season 4 Premieres Mar 11): This show will be back for a fourth season in March but series co-star Madeliene Mantock will not be returning. The CW usually announces a show’s final season in advance, and there has been no indication the network will be ending this one yet, so currently a fifth season looks like a good bet.
Renewal Prospects: Very Good
A Discovery of Witches (AMC+, Season 3 Premieres Jan 7): This supernatural drama has received good buzz across its first two seasons and its third season was announced in advance as its last. That will give it the opportunity to wrap up its storylines covered from the book trilogy.
Renewal Prospects: Final Season
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood (Netflix, Book 2 Premieres Jan 6): This show is returning for a second season which is referred to as “Book Two”. The streamer does tend to cap off its shows around the third or fourth season, but sometimes the animated ones stick around longer.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
The Expanse (Amazon, Season 6 Continues from Fall): This show’s sixth season was announced in advance as its last, giving it the chance to wrap up its storylines. It covered the story through the first six books of the novel series, but there are three more that follow from that. Those take place after a time jump, though, so it made some sense to wrap the series up for now with its sixth season. Writers Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck have indicated that they approached the show with a six-season arc in mind and consider it to be on “pause” at the moment. As the legacy of this series grows (already considered to be a top-flight sci fi TV entry), it is possible that it could return at some point to finish out the full story from the books.
Status: Final Season
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC, Season 7 Returns from Hiatus Apr 17): This TWD spin-off has been renewed for an eighth season and Kim Dickens will be returning in the second half of the seventh season to reprise her role as Madison Clark. The ratings for the show continue to slip, but now it is all about padding out the syndication package so that FtWD can live on in reruns (where the big profits are). But don’t be surprised if the show’s eighth season is announced as its last at some point.
Renewal Prospects: Renewed for 8th Season
Firebite (AMC+, Season 1 Continues from Fall): This is one of the first originals for the AMC+ streaming service, so it is hard to gauge its status at this point. Typically, the newer streaming services are willing to stand behind their originals for at least a season or two. And this show’s performance may depend more heavily on the viewership and new subscriptions it draws from its home country of Australia. But at this point, I would say that it has a decent chance of sticking around for a second year.
Renewal Prospects: Good
The Flash (CW, Season 8 Returns from Hiatus Mar 9): There were rumors that this show could wrap up with its eighth season, but that seems unlikely at this point unless there are contract issues with Grant Gustin. This one has been the flagship for the Arrow-verse shows for several years running, though Superman & Lois did perform slightly better in the ratings this past season. It is rare for this network to end a show without a final season announcement, so at this point expect a ninth year to be a good bet for this one.
Renewal Prospects: Good
From (EPIX, Premieres Feb 20): This sci fi/horror series from the Russo brothers is somewhat of a high-profile entry for the EPIX cable channel and probably has a decent chance to stick around for a second season if not more.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Ghosts (CBS, Season 1 Returns from Hiatus Jan 6): This show is currently performing well in the ratings for a sitcom on CBS and it has received a full-season order of episodes. If it holds around its current levels, then it should be able to scare up a second season.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Kung Fu (CW, Season 2 Premieres Mar 9): This reboot of the ’70s martial arts series with a supernatural twist performed well for The CW in its first season. And once a show makes it past its first year on that network then it usually sticks around for at least four seasons (more on that at this link). If the ratings for this one hold up when it returns, expect it to stick around for a while.
Renewal Prospects: Good
>Track which netwoks are most likely to cancel sci fi TV show with our Network Scorecards.
Legacies (CW, Season 4 Returns from Hiatus Jan 27): The numbers are down for this show in its fourth season, but that is pretty much true of all The CW’s lineup. This one does particularly well in digital viewing, and its network pays close attention to those stats. And The CW does not outright cancel a show without a final season announcement once it has made it past its second season. Expect at least a fifth year from this one if not more.
Renewal Prospects: Very Good
Legends of Tomorrow (CW, Season 7 Returns from Hiatus Jan 12): The same-day ratings for this show remain low (among the lowest of the Arrow-verse entries), but it definitely makes up slack with digital viewing. The CW tends to make a final season announcement for shows that have lasted three seasons or more, and LoT has not received that yet. Expect at least an eighth season from this one, and possibly more if the network wants to continue to cycle Arrow-verse characters from prior shows into this team-up entry.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Nancy Drew (CW, Season 3 Returns from Hiatus Jan 7): This is one of The CW’s lowest-rated scripted shows, but that does not mean that it is in danger. It makes up slack with digital viewing (that network keeps a close eye on those stats), and The CW almost always lets its shows go for at least four seasons once they have made it past the first year. Plus, a Tom Swift spin-off series is currently in the works. Expect at least one more season from Nancy Drew, if not more.
Renewal Prospects: Very Good
Naomi (CW, Premieres Jan 11): This is the newest Arrow-verse entry, and it arrives on a network that is typically good at supporting its shows. As long as the numbers are decent (especially the digital viewing), then this one has a good chance of returning for a seocnd season.
Renewal Prospects: Good
The Nevers (HBO, Season 1 Returns from Hiatus in Spring): This show’s first season was interrupted by pandemic-related production delays, but HBO decided to go ahead and release the first six episodes in Spring 2021. The second half of the season (also consisting of six episodes), should be released by Spring 2022. So far, the show has pulled decent linear ratings and has done quite well in digital viewing. If the viewership holds up when it finishes out its first season, then it could possibly come back for a second year.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
The Orville (Hulu, Season 3 Premieres Mar 10): The long-awaited third season of this show is finally set to premiere in March as it switches to a streaming original on Hulu. There were rumors that it would not continue beyond its third year, but those are unsubstantiated at this point. As long as Seth MacFarlane remains committed to this show, and if it performs well on its new venue, it could return for a fourth season.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
Outlander (Starz, Season 6 Premieres Mar 6): This historical fantasy has become an established franchise for Starz that appeals directly to that network’s female-skewing audience. It has already been renewed for a seventh season and appears to be on track to cover all the novels from the book series.
Renewal Prospects: Renewed for 7th Season
Peacemaker (HBO Max, Premieres Jan 13): This spin-off from The Suicide Squad has received plenty of promotion, and so far HBO Max has been supportive of its originals. I would say that this one has a decent chance of sticking around for a second season and possibly more.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Raising Dion (Netflix, Season 2 Premieres Feb 1): This super-hero series with a twist received very little attention in tis first season, and it has been over two years since that was released. It is basically a toss-up on whether Netflix will renew a series these days or just move on to the next new original. But perhaps this one will get the obligatory third season to wrap up its storylines.
Renewal Prospects: Toss-Up
Resident Alien (Syfy, Season 2 Premieres Jan 26): This Alan Tudyk sci fi dramedy was the best performing show for Syfy in several years during during its first season. That network is notorious for not promoting it originals, though, so whether it continues to hold up in its second year remains to be seen. If it posts just decent ratings, though, it could return for a third season.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
Riverdale (CW, Season 6 Returns from Hiatus Mar 6): The linear ratings for this show are down in its current season, but it likely still does well in digital viewing and The CW almost always gives a final season announcement before ending a show that has been on this long. Expect at least a seventh season from this one to wrap up its storylines.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Servant (Apple TV+, Season 3 Premieres Jan 21): M. Night Shyamalan had originally intended for this supernatural drama to go for six seasons, but then changed the target to four. Apple TV+ has given the show an early renewal for that fourth year which will allow it to wrap up its storylines.
Renewal Prospects: Renewed for 4th and Final Season
Severance (Apple TV+, Premieres Feb 18): This corporate dystopia is the latest addition to the Apple TV+ lineup, and that streamer has typically been good at supporting its originals. I like its chances of returning for a second season.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Snowpiercer (TNT, Season 3 Premieres Jan 24): This sci fi dystopian series has delivered decent ratings for a basic cable network across its first two seasons and it has picked up some good buzz as well. It was renewed for a fourth year in advance of its third season premiere and could stick around beyond that.
Renewal Prospects: Renewed for 4th Season
Space Force (Netflix, Season 2 Premieres Feb 18): This high-provile comedy recieived only mixed reviewes in its first season, but still did well enough to get a second year nod. It could go the path of many Netflix originals and get a third and final season to wrap up its storylines.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
>Keep up with the sci fi and fantasy TV shows airing each week with our Weekly Listings
Star Trek Discovery (Paramount+, Returns from Hiatus Feb 10): Word is that work has already begun on a fifth season of this Star Trek prequel, and I would expect that Paramount+ will want for it to get to at least enough episodes to give it an extended run in syndication. So I consider a fifth season renewal to be a good bet and it could stick around longer.
Renewal Prospects: Good
Star Trek Picard (Paramount+, Season 2 Premieres Feb 28): For the most part, this show was well-received in its first season. Paramount+ is all-in on the Trek franchise at this point and certainly would not want to cancel a high-profile entry like this one. It has already been renewed for a third season, and I would expect it to stick around for another year or more.
Renewal Prospects: Renewed for 3rd Season
Star Trek Prodigy (Paramount+, Season 1 Returns from Hiatus Jan 6):This younger-skewing Star Trek series is under the Nickelodeon banner, but it streams on Paramount+ first with encore runs on the linear cable net. It has been renewed for a second season and could stick around for a few more seasons.
Renewal Prospects: Renewed for 2nd Season
Superman & Lois (CW, Season 2 Premieres Jan 11): This Arrow-verse series performed well in its first season, narrowly out-pacing The Flash as the highest-rated entry from that franchise. With the latter series likely winding down in the next year or so, expect this one to become the network’s tentpole superhero series.
Renewal Prospects: Very Good
Tom Swift (CW, Premieres in Spring): While The CW is typically more likely to renew shows than cancel them, it usually has one sacrifice to the Nielsen gods each season, and quite often it is the last new show to premiere in the regular season. This Nancy Drew spin-off is on target for that slot unless it gets pushed to Summer. If it does get a Spring release, and if the ratings are not strong enough, this may be the network’s one cancellation for the year.
Renewal Prospects: Toss-Up
Two Sentence Horror Stories (CW, Season 3 Premieres Jan 16): This horror anthology has not received a whole lot of buzz, but it is an inexpensive acquisition that fills up a slot on the schedule. And since it airs on The CW, it could stick around for a few more seasons.
Renewal Prospects: Good
The Walking Dead (AMC, Returns from Hiatus Feb 20): This long-running zombie-pocalypse series based on the Robert Kirkman comics is finally coming to an end. Its final season consists of twenty-four episodes that will be aired in three eight-episode blocks. The first block aired in Fall 2021 with the other two set for 2022. But more TWD spin-offs and sequels are on the way including the movies that will catch up with Rick Grimes.
Status: Final Season
Westworld (HBO, Season 4 Premieres in Spring): This reboot of the movies has received high praise through its first three seasons, though the viewership numbers may be a little lower than HBO execs would prefer. It is definitely expensive to produce, but would I at least expect it to get a chance to wrap up its storylines with a final season.
Status: Good
Young Justice (HBO Max, Season 4 Returns from Hiatus in Spring): The long-delayed fourth season of this acclaimed young superhero series finally arrived in October after a pandemic-related delay. That will get it to close to the one hundred episode mark which is typically where animated shows cap out. But it is still possible that HBO Max could bring this one back for possibly one final season.
Renewal Prospects: Fair
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