Scavengers Reign was cancelled by Max, but looked like it might get a second chance on Netflix. Will the fans rally around this show?
What Is It?
This animated sci fi series follows the survivors of a damaged interstellar cargo ship who try to find their missing crewmates on the planet where they crashed. In their endeavors, they must deal with the odd ecosystem of this land, which can be both hostile and helpful.
Aired: Max/Netflix, 2023, 1 Season Totaling 12 Episodes
Starring: Sunita Mani, Wunmi Mosaku, Alia Shawkat, Bob Stephenson, Ted Travelstead
Created By: Joseph Bennett, Charles Huettner
Why Was It Cancelled?
This series premiered on Max in Fall 2023 but it did not chart during its first season run on that service. It did develop some notable word-of-mouth throughout the sci fi community, and regularly received recommendations on social media as a unique and original genre entry. It has also been lauded by critics and viewers, currently holding a 100% Fresh Rating and 95% Audience Score at Rotten Tomatoes. But none of that led to notable viewership numbers and Max decided to cancel the show after one season. And while the show did wrap up its story across its 12-episode run, executive producers Sean Buckelew and James Merrill have indicated that they mapped out two more seasons.
Despite the cancellation, Netflix must have been paying attention to the positive buzz because they picked it up for an encore run of the first season which began in Summer 2024. They did not commit to a second season of the show, but the word was that would be paying close attention to the viewership numbers. It did not chart for that streaming service either, so at this point, the show appears to be one-and-done
Can the Show Be Saved?
The fate of Scavengers Reign looks to be very much in doubt at this point, but it is not impossible that it could return for a second season or more. Netflix definitely had an interest in continuing the show, but the viewership numbers did not appear to justify it. I am not certain if it was an expensive production, but if it was not too costly, the streamer might still consider keeping it around. They have not made an official announcement one way or the other, so my guess is that the second season is still up for consideration.
As mentioned, the show has developed quite a bit of buzz, but it does not seem to have pulled together a cohesive fanbase. I have seen people promoting it sporadically in various places, but not a unified effort that has managed to get it trending on social media. At this point, if fans can bring the show some attention and get people watching it in large numbers on Netflix, that streamer may be persuaded to keep it going for a second season or more. I’m thinking any attempt to focus on Max would be a wasted effort since that service already cancelled the show, but Netflix does appear to still be an option. That window could be closing soon, though, so fans should definitely step up their Call to Action if they want more from Scavengers Reign.
Where Can You Watch It?
The show is still streaming on Max, but as mentioned above, fans should focus their viewing on Netflix. Those views will be counted and could help propel it to a second season. It is not currently available to purchase VOD.
Stream Scavengers Reign on Netlix or Max
Did you watch Scavengers Reign and would you support fan efforts to save the show? Chime in below in the comments.
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I had high hopes for Scavenger’s Reign between the Moebius style artwork and the surrealistic elements suggested by the trailer. Ultimately though the story was lacking – I won’t spoil some of the story points but it was weridness for weirdness sake without any real rhyme or reason. I was hoping for weird in the vein of an animated analogue of ‘Raised by Wolves’ – sadly, what it turned out to be was far far less.