Cancellation Watch: Status updates for the sci fi and fantasy shows on the broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services as well as breaking news on the currently airing, returning, and upcoming genre entries.
Status Updates
The Fall season has wrapped up and we are heading into Mid-Season starting in January, so now is a good time for a rundown on all the shows that have premiered so far this season and are still awaiting word on their fates. I have also included the four shows from last season that have yet to receive a renewal or cancellation notice. Several of these shows could certainly use a Call to Action from fans to help them get to another season.
See all the upcoming sci fi and fantasy TV premieres at this link and keep up with the weekly schedule at this link.
Ahsoka (Disney+, Completed 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This live-action spinoff from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels was billed as a limited series, but it wrapped up its first season with plenty more story to tell. The viewership numbers were good and it certainly seems like Disney+ would want this one back, but there has been no word on a second season yet. That streamer is in the midst of rethinking its strategy for scripted originals, but I am guessing that more seasons of this one are part of that plan.
American Horror Stories (Hulu, Completed 3rd Season, Renewal Possible): This show made it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings for one week during its third season and I am guessing that it will stick around as long as the parent series is still going.
The Changeling (Apple TV+, Completed 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This horror series did not develop too much buzz in its first season, but its creative team has a two-season plan in place and Apple TV+ has been supportive of its originals, so it could be back for a second year.
Chucky (Syfy, Completed 1st Half of 3rd Season, On the Bubble): The viewership for this horror series was down during the first half of its third season which suggests that the show may be running out of steam. It returns in Spring with the remaining episodes from its third year, and Syfy will likely make a decision on its fate at that point. For now, I am moving it to Bubble status.
Creepshow (Shudder, Completed 4th Season, Renewal Possible): This horror anthology has proven quite popular for the Shudder streaming service, setting viewership records and also receiving good buzz from critics and fans (plus, it has done well in its encore runs on AMC). It is not too expensive to produce compared to other streaming originals and could stick around for another year or so.
For All Mankind (Apple TV+, Streaming 4th Season, Renewal Possible): This sci fi entry from Ronald D. Moore continues to perform well for Apple TV+ and regularly receives accolades from critics. The creators have a seven-season plan for the series, which is ambitious for a streaming original, but perhaps it will at least get close to that target.
Hello Tomorrow! (Apple TV+, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This show premiered in February 2023 but there has been no word on its fate since it wrapped up its first season in April. It did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings and it did not get great feedback on Rotten Tomatoes, currently holding on a 54% Tomatometer Score and a 73% Audience Score. Since the streamer has been silent on the show, I have moved it to Bubble status and I do not like its chances of getting a second season.
Invasion (Apple TV+, Completed 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): A third season is planned for this sci fi series, but there has been no official word yet on whether that will go forward. It has received mixed reviews from critics and fans and it has not drawn notable viewership, but Apple TV+ has been supportive of its originals and could bring it back for at least one more year.
Loki (Disney+, Completed 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): The Season 2 finale wrapped up most of the show’s storylines, and Tom Hiddleston said in an interview that Loki’s journey has ended and that the character has come “full circle”. Kevin Fiege had previously indicated that a third season could happen, and in the world of superheroes nothing is really final. But don’t be surprised if the second season is the last for Loki, especially as Disney is trimming back its Marvel content. I am keeping its status as Renewal Possible until I hear differently, but I am guessing this one is likely ended for now.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+, Streaming 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): The first season of this show has not made it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings yet, but it is tied closely to the Monster-verse films and that could help to keep it afloat. The creative team does have plans for a second season, and it is possible that Apple TV+ could keep this one going for another year or so.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+, Streaming 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This fantasy entry has only just started, but the early word is that viewership has been strong for the show. There is plenty of material to cover from the books and Disney+ would certainly like to expand beyond the Star Wars and MCU franchises, so I like this one’s chances of sticking around for a while.
The Power (Prime Video, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This show wrapped up in May 2023 and there has been no word on its fate. It did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings for its first-year run, but it has received decent marks from critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, currently holding a 74% Fresh Rating and an 80% Audience Score. Members of the cast have indicated that they would like to return for a second season, but the strikes brought everything to a halt and it’s possible that Amazon may have moved on from this one.
Pluto (Netflix, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This Anime entry did not make it into the Netflix Top 10 during its first season run, but it was well-received by critics and viewers, holding a 100% Fresh Rating and 94% Audience Score so far on Rotten Tomatoes. The eight-episode first season adapted the full story from the Manga, though, so it is unclear if there are plans to continue it beyond that point and I am moving it to Bubble status.
Quantum Leap (NBC, Airing 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): This revival of the classic ’90s series has performed relatively well in the ratings in its second season. It has held steady with other dramas on NBC which counts as a win for the broadcast networks these days. If it continues to perform at the same level through Mid-Season, I would expect it to get a third-season nod. But don’t be surprised if, like La Brea, the network wraps this one up around that point.
Scavengers Reign (Max, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This animated sci fi series did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings during its first season run, but it has been getting very high marks from critics and viewers, currently holding a 100% Fresh Rating and 96% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. While the first season did tell a complete story, executive producers Sean Buckelew and James Merrill have indicated that they have mapped out two more seasons for the show. But with Warner Bros. Discovery in talks with Paramount about merging, more shakeups could be on the way and I don’t like this one’s chances amidst all of that.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This show made it into the Netflix Top 10 for only one week, and according to creators Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, they consider the first season to be one-and-done and currently have no ideas for a second year of the show. They have not completely ruled out a continuation, but for now I am moving this one to Bubble status.
Skull Island (Netflix, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This series–which is another tie-in to Legendary’s Monster-verse franchise–did not make it into the Netflix Top 10 during its first season run. Showrunner Brian Duffield has indicated that scripts have been written for the second season of the show and some initial recording has occurred, but there has not been a renewal announcement yet so I have this one at Bubble status.
Strange Planet (Apple TV+, Completed 1st Season, On the Bubble): This show came and went with very little fanfare and did not make any noise in the streaming charts. Apple TV+ has been good about supporting its originals, but it’s possible this one could get lost in the Peak TV Crunch and I am moving it to Bubble status.
SurrealEstate (Syfy, Completed 2nd Season, On the Bubble): Fans of this supernatural drama should be happy that it got a second season seeing as Syfy originally cancelled it after its first year. Chances of a third season happening look slim, though, as it barely registered in the rating during its second-year run. It may have international partnerships that can help keep it afloat, and a Call to Action from fans on the social networks could bring it more attention.
The Swarm (CW, Completed 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This German-made series is an acquisition by The CW and its viewership in the U.S. will likely have little impact on whether it gets renewed. It is an expensive show to produce, but it did perform well in its home country during its first season run and a second season is still possible.
Upload (Prime Video, Completed 3rd Season, Renewal Possible): This show has not received a fourth season renewal yet, but creator and showrunner Greg Daniels is optimistic about its prospects. According to him, Upload is the “number one most-viewed half-hour show on Prime Video” and he plans to start working on Season 4 soon. The streaming services do tend to cap off their originals around the three-to-four-season mark, so this show could wrap up after one more year.
Wolf Like Me (Peacock, Completed 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): This supernatural dramedy is a co-production with Australia and has not received too much attention in the states so far. But it is relatively inexpensive to produce and could stick around for another season or so.
Wolf Pack (Paramount+, Completed 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This werewolf drama arrived on Paramount+ in early 2023, and even though it did not show up in the Nielsen streaming rankings, it was one of the most “in-demand” shows at that time according to Parrot Analytics. The first season ended on a cliffhanger and series star Sarah Michelle Gellar has indicated that work has begun on the second year. Everything seemed to be pointing to a renewal, but then Paramount+ went silent, likely due to the strikes. I am still keeping this one at Renewal Possible status, but that will change if there is no announcement soon.
You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
Shining Vale was cancelled by Starz last week and that brings the score for the current season to six cancelled and ending sci fi and fantasy entries (16% of shows tracked) vs. thirteen renewed (34%). Below are this season’s numbers, and you can see the list of shows and keep up with the score throughout the week at our Cancellation Watch Page.
| Show Count | 38 | ||
| Cancelled | 3 | 7.9% | |
| Ending | 3 | 7.9% | 15.8% |
| Renewed | 13 | 34.2% | |
| On the Bubble | 1 | 2.6% | |
| Renewal Possible | 18 | 47.4% | |
| Mini-Series | 3 |
Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates. And for the latest news and discussions on sci fi and fantasy television, follow r/SciFiTV
Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
