I can recall a little over a handful ofsci-fishows that were so immersive and compelling that I could believe that they did not last longer than one or two seasons. Sci-fi is a timeless genre that is always brimming with new, boundary-pushing additions. Unfortunately, like many genres, sci-fi often goes underappreciated and becomes a victim of early cancellations. While several modernsci-fi shows, likeStranger ThingsandApple TV+‘sSilo, are fortunate enough to perform well and get the opportunity to reach their natural conclusions, others are cut short before they can find their feet.
As an avid sci-fi viewer, I have invested my time in several shows of the genre. I have seen many shows last long enough to garner a solid audience, and, in turn, deliver the kind of long-term storytelling that does justice to their high-concept ideas and expansive worldbuilding. At the same time, I have also witnessed shows start strong and display immense potential with their character beats and depictions of futuristic worlds and technologies only to vanish after a season or two. I still look back at some of these shows and wonder why they failed to last longer.
Cancelled After Season 1
1899
1899 is a period piece drama that centers around a ship full of immigrants headed to the new land and entering the new century. Riding on the steamship Kerebos, the multilingual passengers contemplate how their lives will differ in this new era. However, when the ship comes across a missing vessel known as the Prometheus, the passengers will be taken through several mysterious experiences and drag them through their worst nightmares.
Before1899season 1 landed on Netflix, there was a lot of buzz around the show because it was helmed byDark’s creators, Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar. Even after its premiere on the streamer,the show was lauded for its ambitious sci-fi ideas surrounding simulations and immersive, chilling atmosphere. Although1899was not considered as good asDark, it managed to earn a decent Rotten Tomatoes score of 77%.1899season 1’s endingalso promised to expand its storytelling scope with another season by leaving viewers with a massive cliffhanger.
Unfortunately, Netflix pulled the plug on the series before it could show its true potential. The biggest narrative issue with1899was that it took the easy way out in its final moments by revealing that everything in its story was a part of a simulation. However, after knowing what Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar had achieved withDark, I knew that1899would rise far above genre conventions and tropes in its subsequent seasons. Sadly, the show only got to scratch the surface of all the potential themes and sci-fi ideas it could have explored.
Cancelled After Season 2
Raised by Wolves
Raised by Wolves centers on two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet known as Keppler 22-b. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, a mysterious force within the planet itself seems to have its own goals. The androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task.
Raised by Wolvesis arguably one of the strangest shows gracing the sci-fi television landscape in recent years. Created by Aaron Guzikowski and produced by Ridley Scott, the series never tried to confine itself to the familiar tropes and narrative conventions associated with sci-fi. Looking back, I can see howthe show’s defiance towards traditional storytelling made it appealing to a few but also polarizing to many. Although it managed to work well among critics and earned an average score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, it never truly found its audience.
Because of the complex nature of its storytelling and abstract symbolism,Raised by Wolvesstruggled to garner the mainstream success that many simpler sci-fi shows seem to enjoy. Owing to this, it is hard not to see how its cancellation after season 2 was a long time coming. I still wish that the show had lasted longer, considering how not a lot of sci-fi series dare to challenge genre norms and bring something novel and weirdly compelling to the table.
Constellation
Constellation is a sci-fi psychological thriller written and created by Peter Harness for Apple TV+. After facing a crisis in space, Astronaut Jo returns to Earth only to discover nothing is quite the same - and that her sanity may be slowly slipping from her grasp.
Although quantum physics has been explored in myriad sci-fi shows, none have managed to capture it likeApple TV+‘sConstellation. The sci-fi series boldly attempted to spin a fantastical yarn around complex sci-fi concepts like duality, superposition, and entanglement. Its opening episodes were so engaging that even Stephen King gave the series a stamp of approval by calling it “Just about perfect.“Stephen King’s glowing praisefor the series should have been enough to get it more eyeballs, but it was canceled after only one season.
What madeConstellation’s cancellation even more disappointing is that Apple TV+ is known for giving shows a second chance instead of suddenly pulling the plug on them.Shows likeInvasionon the streamer have managed to return with new seasons despite getting below-average critical ratings.Constellation, in contrast, earned decent reviews and was starting to grow on audiences before its season 1 ended its run. Yet, it was abruptly cut short and stopped from extending beyond its first installment’s cliffhanger ending.
Almost Human
Set in 2048, Almost Human follows John Kennex, a police detective who, due to an overwhelming surge in crime, is paired with a highly intelligent android partner to help him in the field. Distrustful of androids after a job gone wrong lost him his leg and got his friend killed, John and the android, named Dorian, struggle to work together at first, but slowly begin to find common ground as Dorian presents himself capable in the field. Karl Urban and Michael Ealy star as John and Dorian.
Starring Karl Urban,Almost Human’s biggest strength was its ability to develop characters while featuring some intriguing sci-fi concepts and technology. Most sci-fi shows put character development in the backseat while focusing more on shiny futuristic tech and high-stakes worldbuilding.Almost Human, however, struck a rare balance of giving its human (and android) characters equal importance while gradually expanding its futuristic world and presenting the ethical conflicts faced by its central law-enforcing protagonists.
…It is hard not to see howAlmost Humanhad the potential to grow a bigger following and even rake in better ratings and returns if only it was given a second chance.
A little over a month after its finale’s release, though,Almost Humanwas axed by Fox. Its relatively low ratings and high production costs did not give the network a solid reason to continue its run. Looking back, however, it is hard not to see howAlmost Humanhad the potential to grow a bigger following and even rake in better ratings and returns if only it was given a second chance.
I Am Not Okay with This
I Am Not Okay With This is a Netflix series centering on the complicated life of Sydney Novak, played by IT star Sophia Lillis. Sydney is a teenager who is juggling life as a high schooler, family issues, and her sexuality. To top things off, she’s also starting to develop mysterious superpowers.
I Am Not Okay With Thisremains fresh in many viewers’ memories because of how it was initially pushed by Netflix as one of its biggest upcoming sci-fi shows. The show almost came off as a modern take on Roald Dahl’sMatildawith its gritty and grounded portrayal of a teen struggling to control her telekinetic powers. In many ways, it also seemed reminiscent of the 2012 film,Chronicle, andThe Boys’ spin-off,Gen V, because of how it perfectly used its supernatural elements as an allegory for coming-of-age themes.
Interestingly, after having a successful run with season 1,I Am Not Okay With Thiswas also officially renewed for season 2. Netflix, however, decided to upturn its decision becausefilming restrictions during the pandemic suddenly raised the show’s production costs. If only things had turned out differently, theNetflix sci-fi showwould have had at least one more season. But as much as I want to say that I am not okay with this cancellation, I can understand why the streamer had to end it after season 1.
Counterpart
Counterpart is a science fiction thriller series that stars J.K. Simmons as Howard Silk, a low-level bureaucrat who discovers his organization is hiding a parallel universe. As Howard navigates this revelation, he confronts his doppelgänger from the other side, uncovering intense espionage and political intrigue.
Created by Justin Marks,Counterpartis among the rare few shows with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% across two seasons. As the show’s title suggests, it features JK Simmons in a fascinating double role, where one version of him is a regular office worker while the other is a cold operative in a war in a parallel universe. While Simmons' performance alone is enough to keep one hooked throughout the series' runtime,it is the show’s ability to be boldly ridiculous and still entertaining that makes it truly exceptional.
Even to this day,Counterpartremains fairly underappreciated, especially for a show that boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. After its premiere on June 09, 2025, it ran for 20 episodes before ending its run on August 04, 2025. It did have potential for more narrative growth even after season 1. However, it was slashed before it could rise above its obscure status. The series' production company, Media Rights Capital, even tried to find a new home for it after its cancellation, but that clearly did not work out.
Firefly
Firefly is a science fiction television series set in the year 2517, focusing on the crew of the spaceship Serenity. As humans inhabit a new star system, the renegade crew, led by Captain Malcolm Reynolds, navigates conflicts and alliances while pursuing their own interests across lawless territories.
A list revolving around shows that surprisingly did not last longer would undoubtedly be incomplete withoutFirefly. Set in 2517, the Western sci-fi drama was canceled after 11 of its 14 produced episodes were first aired. Despite that, though, it grew a massive following and showed immense potential after its DVD sales did remarkably well.
Fireflywas fortunate enough to eventually get a movie sequel,Serenity, which neatly tied up many of its unresolved loose threads and ended the series for good. However, it is still a little disappointing that the show was not given the chance to continue its run as a full-fledged TV show even after its post-airing success.
The OA
The OA is a mystery drama series that follows Prairie Johnson, who returns to her hometown after being missing for seven years with her sight mysteriously restored. As her baffling reappearance raises questions, she refrains from discussing her ordeal with authorities or family, sparking intrigue and speculation.
Long before Netflix became a little too infamous for suddenly ending some of its best shows,The OAlanded on the streamer and gained the reputation of being one of the most ambitious and unconventional series in its catalog. AlthoughThe OAdid not rank as high as other mainstream shows in popularity,its philosophical depth and exploration of relatable themes surrounding trauma, grief, and captivity allowed it to garner a cult following. The show’s viewership, however, was not on par with its high production costs, leading to its cancellation after two seasons.
The show’s creators, Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, were given the opportunity to end with a final follow-up film. But the two declined the offer becausethey had initially envisioned a five-season run for the series. Marling and Batmanglij still often talk aboutThe OAand the prospects of bringing it back in the future. Hopefully, their plans will materialize someday, and thesci-fishow will get to reach its natural conclusion.
