11 cancelled Netflix shows that we'd love to see make a return

Netflix is a never-ending source of top-quality television series, with the steaming platform updating its content on a monthly basis.

But for every smash hit series (see: Sex Education and The Umbrella Academy), there’s a number of shows that don’t quite receive the same amount of attention, and so are quietly dropped by Netflix in order for them to focus on new material.

That’s not to say series that don’t get a follow-up season aren’t worth your time, with some passionate fans being so tied to a particular series that they’ve gone as far to launch online petitions to try and secure at least one more set of episodes.

Here are some of Netflix’s very best shows that deserve to make another outing….

1. I Am Not Okay With This

Fans were left furious after the American comedy-drama was cancelled after just one season, alongside the similarly popular The Society.

The decision to can both these shows (neither of which had been officially renewed, but their open endings certainly pointed towards further seasons) came due to unexpected budget increases following the coronavirus pandemic, according to Deadline.

Sources told the publication that uncertainty around production dates and balancing the availabilities of a large cast like The Society, coupled with unexpected budget increases due to COVID-19 led to the decision to end both series after just one season

2. White Lines

Despite its initial popularity, the sun-drenched mystery drama, set on the party island of Ibiza and fuelled by cocaine and orgies, will not be returning for a second series.

The show followed Zoe, who flew in from Manchester to find out who was responsible for the death of her brother Axel after he went missing 20 years ago; and became seduced by the island’s numerous temptations.

While the series, penned by Money Heist writer Alex Pina, wraps up events in a neat little bow after ten episodes, there was still scope for the story to go further.

However, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic seeing a number of Ibiza’s superclubs shutting up shop for the season, it’s of little surprise that Netflix has decided to draw the (white) line underneath the show.

The news was confirmed by Daniel Mays, who played DJ Marcus, on Instagram.

“Following the reports in the press over the past couple of days and for all those asking me on here, it’s with a heavy heart I post the White Lines season 2 ship has well and truly sailed,” he wrote. "Huge thanks, respect and admiration to Netflix for the ride of a lifetime."

3. Spinning Out

The figure-skating drama follows Kaya Scodelario as Kat Baker, a high-level figure skater who is considering quitting the profession following a dangerous fall. She then seizes an opportunity to continue her career as a pairs skater with a talented bad-boy partner, Justin Davis (Evan Roderick), she risks exposing her fiercely private bipolar disorder.

Released hot on the heels of the success of I, Tonya, many believed Spinning Out was going to be Netflix’s next biggest hit. However, the streaming service chose to drop the option of a second series just one month after its release.

A Change.org petition was launched titled "Fans Demand the Renewal of Netflix's 'Spinning Out' for a Second Season." As petitioner Victoria Cotaj noted:

"Many fans would agree, Spinning Out presents many issues we rarely get a glimpse of on TV today. It's refreshing to see such a well-done series on a sport (figure skating), which is most often overlooked in itself while including the raw and intense struggles that can come along with it. This show brought awareness to bipolar disorder, depression, sexual assault, racial inequality, the power of the wealthy, cultural stereotypes and so much more. Each episode brought the viewers into the world of not only Kat but the supporting characters as well, who all had so much depth and substance that told a story of their own."

4. The OA

The mind-bending supernatural drama centred around the reappearance of Prairie Johnson, a blind woman who has been missing for seven years who has returned with full vision, and now calls herself The OA.

Having originally been planned to span five seasons, the show’s sudden cancellation after season two is a particularly contentious point for fans, particularly after Netflix’s VP of Original Content Cindy Holland praised the show before the second series drop.

The OA’s sudden cancellation meant the show ended on a particularly bizarre note, even by the OA’s standards – with an unexplainable cliffhanger that will never have a chance to be wrapped up.

The cancellation saw superfans launch a petition titled Save The OA, which gained a great deal of traction after it trended worldwide on Twitter.

Jason Isaacs, who starred as Hap, has since thanked fans for their efforts to get the show back on screen, adding “millions of people are devoted” to bringing the show back to screen and the campaign is “extraordinary”.

"I hope we get to make some more but I don't see how it's going to happen," he said on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.

"But even the fact that there are two seasons of this amazing show to watch, the great thing about Netflix is that it never goes away. I suggest people watch it. If you haven't seen it, you'll never seen anything as original in your life. It's phenomenal."

5. Jessica Jones

Despite being popular with fans, Jessica Jones was cancelled along with all of other Netflix’s Marvel offerings.

The series, which starred Krysten Ritter as the titular character and David Tennant as Kilgrave, chronicled the life of the hugely troubled former superhero Jessica Jones as she starts a detective agency.

While the show received rave reviews for its gritty and realistic portrayal of a variety of different topics including sexual assault and mental health, the show was cancelled after its third season.

It was suggested that Disney Plus’s launch, which is now home to a number of Marvel titles, was behind the cancellation.

However, a source told The Wrap that the shows didn't have a high enough viewership to justify the high costs of making them.

Speaking about the show’s cancellation, Ritter wrote on Instagram: “It has been a dream to play Jessica alongside my amazing cast and the best crew in the business for these past five years. I am so grateful for every second of it. We have THE BEST fans. You guys mean the world to me and I appreciate you beyond words.

6. Tuca & Bertie

With one of the executive producers of BoJack Horseman on board, and the show opening to rave reviews from critics, Tuca & Betie was set to rival Horseman for the best-loved cartoon on Netflix – but was quickly cancelled after a single season.

“Thank you to everyone who loves and supports T&B, and to everyone who was comforted and felt like this show gave you a voice,” creator Lisa Hanawalt said. “I’m hopeful we can find a home for Tuca & Bertie to continue their adventures.”

It came after Netflix reported disappointing subscriber growth in 2019, and attributed to the failure of its latest content to attract any additional subscribers.

However, while Netflix wont show any more of Tuca & Bertie’s future adventures, the show did get picked up for a second season over on Adult Swim.

7. Atypical

After four seasons, Netflix’s heartfelt comedy Atypical is coming to a close in 2021.

For those who haven’t tuned into the show, Atypical follows Sam, a teenager on the autism spectrum, who has decided he is ready for romance. In order to start dating -- and hopefully find love -- Sam will need to be more independent- something the rest of his family will also have to adapt to.

Some fans of the show are happy for Atypical to draw to a proper close next year, but there’s still plenty of scope to be explored.

8. Mindhunter

While the series is technically not cancelled, Mindhunter was put on indefinite hiatus with the actors released from their contracts – making a third series looking increasingly unlikely.

Mindhunter follows the very early days of criminal psychology and profiling at the FBI in the 1970s and 80s, and is as gory and dark as it is deliciously fascinating. In its current state, Mindhunter will be permanently halted as a gory flashback looking at some of America’s most prolific serial killers, but there’s still plenty of more modern events to look at – not to mention a proper deep dive into Charles Manson, who is Holden’s obsession throughout both series. It would have been fascinating to follow our characters as they develop their scientific theories to form the basis of criminology which is so well-practised today.

9. The Get Down

It was one of Netflix’s most-anticipated original series when it was announced in 2016 – and there was good reason for all the hype; the show was a big budget hip-hop musical brought to life by Moulin Rouge director Baz Lurhmann.

But while it sounded great, the show was less of a success with viewers; the hugely pricey series faced production errors which saw the number of episodes cut from 13 to 11. While Netflix never released the official viewing figures, the series was cancelled after one series.

Lurhmann himself spoke out on the show’s cancellation, writing on Netflix: “The simple truth is, I make movies. And the thing with movies is, that when you direct them, there can be nothing else in your life.

“As for the real future of the show, the spirit of The Get Down, and the story it has begun to tell... it has its own life. One that lives on today and will continue to be told somewhere, somehow, because of you, the fans and the supporters.”

10. Next in Fashion

With a big names attached in the shape of model and presenter Alexa Chung, and Queer Eye favourite Tan France, Next in Fashion could have gone on to be the ideal replacement to the increasingly tired, faded and jaded America’s Next Top Model.

The format began with eighteen designers who faced challenges focusing on a different trend or design style that was influenced the way the entire world dresses. All the contestants, most of whom had worked for major brands, and competed to see who had the skill, originality and determination to win the grand prize of $250,000 and a deal with Net-a-Porter.

Speaking about the show’s cancellation, France told Variety: “This is a one-season show, we don’t know what will happen in the future.

“But it was honestly one of the proudest things I’ve ever worked on. I love the show and Alexa so much. My focus is definitely on ‘Queer Eye’ and moving forward with that.”

11. Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

The political and social commentary show, which has been well received by critics and viewers alike, was unexpectedly cancelled after six series. With its satirical yet still oddly sincere look at topical issues, it’s a strange time for the show to go off air, especially as there should be reams on material ripe for parody (what with the upcoming American presidential elections and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic).

Speaking about the show, Minhaj said: “What a run. I got to work with the best writers, producers, researchers, and animators in the game.

“My two babies were born and grew up with the show. [Thank you] to Netflix and everyone who watched.

“Now it’s time to return these screens to Best Buy.”