The Most Popular TV Shows That Were Canceled In 2023 So Far
Even the best TV shows don't last forever. While some have managed decades on the air, all good things must end eventually — though it's possible "The Simpsons" never will. Every year new shows arrive, displacing some older ones, while great shows that struggled with viewership are shuffled off with a disappointing finish. 2023 has been no different, and some of the best shows on TV have been given the grim news that they won't be returning for more.
A few of these canceled shows are long-running fan favorites, going out on a high note after a smash hit run. However, there are also those that have been given the premature heave-ho after just a season or two — ranging from spin-offs, superhero adventures, and critically acclaimed dramas. Despite good reviews and fervent fan followings, studios and streaming services have their eye on the bottom line, and detailed viewer data that has them shutting down shows no matter how good they might be. Here are the most popular TV shows canceled in 2023 so far.
Doom Patrol, Titans, Gotham Knights, and Pennyworth
The last few years have seen significant changes for DC superheroes on screen. 2022 saw the corporate merger of parent company Warner Bros. and Discovery Inc., which forced massive cutbacks and an eventual rebrand of the HBO Max streaming app to just Max. Only a few months after the merger, writer-director James Gunn was appointed the new steward of the superhero franchise, which meant even more radical changes. Unfortunately, during this period of transition, the studio's slate of TV projects was slashed almost entirely.
While "Superman & Lois" was able to survive the axe, it was announced that the likes of "Doom Patrol," "Titans," and "Pennyworth" would be ending their runs on HBO Max, while "Gotham Knights" was pulled from The CW. "Doom Patrol" notably concludes a four-season run that was met with rave reviews for its offbeat story and eccentric style and tone. "Titans" aired its fourth season in 2022, while "Pennyworth" aired its third, and while both were met with mixed reviews initially, they each grew into fan favorites, meaning there was plenty of disappointment when it was announced that they would not be returning for more. "Gotham Knights" — centered on the children of Batman's rogues gallery of villains — never got a chance to hit its stride, as it was canceled after just 13 episodes.
1899
A high-concept period drama, "1899" was one of the most mind-bending thrillers Netflix has ever released. Set at the turn of the 20th century, the series centers on a European steamship called the Kerberos, which is ferrying a diverse group of immigrants from European shores to the United States. Aboard the vessel, however, mysteries begin to compound, including a strange message from a ship once lost along the same course, and clues that suggest that not all is as it seems aboard the Kerberos.
"1899" was met with applause from critics and viewers for its evocative tone and nail-biting suspense, which kept audiences on the edge of their seats as the story unfolded. That wasn't enough to get it a second season, though, and just after the calendar rolled over to 2023, Netflix declared the show dead. To make matters worse, the season finale ended with a stunning twist that left jaws on the floor and set up a second year of stories that fans will seemingly never get to see.
The Winchesters
"Supernatural" ran for an astounding 15 seasons before ending in 2020, but it was followed by a spin-off two years later titled "The Winchesters." Produced by "Supernatural" star Jensen Ackles, the series is set decades before the story of brothers Dean and Sam Winchester, with this prequel telling the story of their parents Mary and John (Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger). Often even weirder than its predecessor, "The Winchesters" was full of wildly unpredictable twists and turns, including alternate realities and time travel.
Though it received a mixed reaction from audiences, the series had real promise, and critics lauded it for setting up an epic story that had potential for the long run. That would never happen, however, because after just 13 episodes Ackles himself handed down word that the show wouldn't continue past its first season. Thankfully, the series was able to wrap up most of its biggest mysteries, though fans hoping to see the continued adventures of the Winchesters in the "Supernatural" world may be waiting a while for more.
Big Sky
Another series featuring Jensen Ackles, "Big Sky" was created by legendary producer David E. Kelly, whose prior shows include "Ally McBeal" to "Big Little Lies." "Big Sky" is a dramatic and intricately told crime drama set in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, and is based on a book series from C.J. Box, who also penned the series that inspired the Paramount+ drama "Joe Pickett."
With a star-studded cast that includes Reba McEntire, Ryan Phillippe, Logan Marshall-Green, Michelle Forbes, and Jesse James Keitel, "Big Sky" is a detective series full of action, adventure, and high-stakes drama. Though some critics were less-than-enthusiastic about the series — including The Hollywood Reporter, who called it "tawdry and manipulative" — it managed three solid seasons. But in May 2023, just a few months after its Season 3 finale, the same outlet reported that "Big Sky" was being dropped by ABC — despite a somewhat ambiguous ending for Ackles' character, Sheriff Beau Arlen. With no continuation, there are plenty of questions now left lingering to drive fans mad.
NCIS: Los Angeles
The longest-running series to get the axe in 2023 so far, "NCIS: Los Angeles" made its debut back in 2009 — a companion to the wildly popular "NCIS." This spin-off, set in the titular City of Angels, stars rapper-turned-actor LL Cool J and former big-screen heartthrob Chris O'Donnell as Special Agents Sam Hanna and Grisha Callen, a pair of undercover officers within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
During the show's run, it also featured stars like Linda Hunt, Nia Long, Claire Forlani, Esai Morales, and Gerald McRaney, while the late Miguel Ferrer was a member of the main cast for several seasons, too. Though it is tough to consider its conclusion to be a true cancelation — given its spectacular nearly decade-and-a-half on television – Deadline claims to have been told from insider sources that rising production costs were what ultimately led to the decision to end the series, perhaps earlier than originally intended. It aired its final episodes in May, saying goodbye with the two-part series finale "New Beginnings."
Snowpiercer
A television remake of the dystopian sci-fi cult classic from Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-ho, "Snowpiercer" aired on TNT for three seasons beginning in 2020. Despite being a small screen adaptation, the series boasted an impressive cast — led by Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs — and re-adapted the story of mankind's fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world where ice and snow have covered the globe.
To stay alive, survivors of the worldwide devastation have been packed into a massive train that runs continuously, while its cars have divided the population into a strict social caste structure. With plenty of social commentaries and allegories, "Snowpiercer" sees a group of working-class citizens fighting for equality and rising up against the elite who live in the front.
What was most shocking about the show's cancelation, though, was that the series was already well into filming Season 4. All production was shut down, with TNT announcing it would not air what had been filmed. With Season 3 ending on a cliffhanger, it remains to be seen if fans will ever get a proper conclusion to the story.
Perry Mason
In the late '50s and through the '60s, "Perry Mason" grew to become one of the greatest on-screen lawyers of all time, played by actor Raymond Burr and based on a book series by Erle Stanley Gardner. Burr would return for a series of TV movies in the '80s and '90s, and in 2020, the character returned to the small screen once more. This time it was Matthew Rhys in the title role, beginning the series as a steely-eyed private investigator, while the rest of the cast was rounded out by the likes of Tatiana Maslany, John Lithgow, Shea Whigham, and Robert Patrick.
Season 1 opens during the Great Depression, where Mason finds himself working a child kidnapping case. This story spans the whole of the first season, which concludes with him becoming an upstart attorney. After a lengthy hiatus, the series' second season aired in 2023 and sees Mason dealing with a new case — but that would be as far as the series would get. While it received solid reviews, the show was caught in the shuffle of Warner Bros. merger with Discovery, and became one of many HBO Max originals to get canned, not long after the Season 2 finale aired.
Magnum P.I.
In the 1980s, there was no bigger cop series than "Magnum P.I.". In 2018, the series was rebooted by producer Peter M. Lenkov, who'd also found success reviving nostalgic properties "Hawaii Five-0" and "MacGyver," and the three often crossed over with one another. "Magnum P.I." now starred Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, and ironically aired in the time slot preceding the police drama "Blue Bloods" starring original Magnum, Tom Selleck.
Like the '80s version, this reboot sees Magnum invited to stay at the guest house on the Hawaiian estate owned by renowned author Robin Masters, for whom he works as a security consultant. With him is a former MI6 agent named Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks), and together the duo helps track down missing persons, investigate dirty cops, and take on dangerous thugs and criminal syndicates. They even team up with the Hawaii Five-0 Task Force on several occasions. In 2023, after switching networks, it was revealed that the show's fifth season would be its final bow. Part 1, consisting of 10 episodes, aired in early 2023, and a second batch is due in 2024.
Big Mouth
A Netflix original adult animated series, "Big Mouth" was created by "Family Guy" writer Andrew Goldberg, comic actor Nick Kroll, and husband-and-wife team Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin. Though aimed at adults, "Big Mouth" is the story of a group of middle schoolers in the New York suburb of Westchester. Hitting puberty isn't easy for them, and the show sees them face all the usual problems of boys their age, but with a decidedly mature tone.
But that's not all. The pre-teens are guided by Maurice and Rick, monsters who serve as the cliché shoulder angels and are the source of their growing sexual desires and other raging hormones that seem to control their every move. Featuring an all-star voice cast that includes John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and creator Nick Kroll, "Big Mouth" was met with critical acclaim for its surprisingly complex characters and its frank look at growing up. It was announced in 2023 that the show — currently heading into its seventh season — would come to an end after Season 8, tentatively scheduled for 2024.
Kung Fu
Another revival of an old classic, "Kung Fu" is actually the second comeback for the franchise following "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" in the '90s. That series brought back David Carradine as the descendant of Kwai Chang Caine — a Shaolin Monk in the Wild West — and was set in contemporary California. This new version, which began airing in 2021, was a total reinvention of the saga. It stars actress Olivia Liang as Nicky Shen, a disillusioned college dropout who is frustrated by the rise in crime in her community.
Following a trip to a Chinese monastery, Shen faces her destiny and becomes a crime-fighting vigilante with help from fellow martial artists Henry Yan (Eddie Liu), her computer expert sister Althea Shen-Soong (Shannon Dang), and her younger brother Ryan (Jon Prasida), a community activist and med student. Airing for three seasons on The CW, "Kung Fu" was applauded for placing its trust in a mostly-unknown cast of Asian-American actors, whose performances were praised by critics. However, in May 2023, the network revealed that the show would not return for a fourth year.
Young Rock
Produced, created by, and co-starring the big screen action hero and legendary WWE wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the NBC comedy "Young Rock" told a fictionalized version of the star's early years. Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, and Uli Latukefu play the younger versions of Johnson, who in the year 2032 is running for President of the United States and is looking back at his life through a series of interviews.
From his days growing up in Hawaii through his early college football career, "Young Rock" also focuses on his father Rocky Johnson's days as a pro wrestler. This allowed real-life celebrities like Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Liberace, and Mr. T — played by actors — to also show up as recurring characters. Later episodes included The Rock's own wrestling career, too, while Rosario Dawson, Randall Park, and Dawnn Lewis played roles in the future segments alongside the real Dwayne Johnson as himself. In June 2023, the series was canceled following its third season, due to a decline in ratings.
Willow
The '80s might just be the greatest decade for fantasy films, with a string of all-time greats such as "Labyrinth," "Legend," and "Conan the Barbarian." Included in this is the Disney classic, "Willow," directed by Ron Howard. "Willow" is set in a magical fantasy world where a young dwarven sorcerer must ally himself with a rogue swordsman to protect a special child named Elora. A wildly popular family fantasy, "Willow" had been the subject of sequel rumors for decades, and fans finally got it in 2022 with a TV series follow-up on Disney+.
The series saw Warwick Davis return in the title role, and Ellie Bamber playing the adult Elora, now an Empress. With an all-new story and a cast of new, vibrant characters, "Willow" the series ran for eight episodes, ending in January 2023. Not long after, Deadline reported the show had been canceled and the cast released from their contracts for a second season. In the days that followed, showrunner Jon Kasdan insisted that the possibility of a follow-up still existed, but with "Willow" now being completed removed from streaming services, the chances of it coming back are slim.
Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Prodigy
Launched in 2017, "Star Trek: Discovery" wasn't just the first new TV series in the franchise since 2005, it was also the first original streaming series for CBS All Access, which has since become Paramount+. Set about a decade before the original "Star Trek" series, it introduced Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), a rebellious Starfleet officer aboard an experimental Federation starship. The show's immediate success was a launching pad for more, which included "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," as well as the children's CGI-animated series, "Star Trek: Prodigy."
While production on Season 5 of "Discovery" wrapped in November 2022, it was reported in March 2023 that it would be its last. To allow for the show to wrap up its run, additional filming was announced to be commencing shortly, creating an ending for the series that is due to air in 2024. Just a few short months later, "Star Trek: Prodigy" – a co-production with Nickelodeon — was also canceled, even after it was nominated for a Television Critics Association Award. A second season of the show was in production at the time of the cancelation, though, and Paramount is currently shopping it to other networks.
Reservation Dogs
Writer-director Taika Waititi might be best known for "What We Do in the Shadows" and "Our Flag Means Death," or even his pair of "Thor" movies for Marvel. Alongside filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, Waititi also co-created the FX comedy "Reservation Dogs," a series rooted in the life experience of the Native American community to which Harjo belongs. It chronicles the lives of a group of Native American teens in Oklahoma who harbor dreams of making a new life in California. Ironically enough, one of the main characters is named Elora (Devery Jacobs) in honor of the little girl from "Willow."
Unfortunately, like the Disney+ series, "Reservation Dogs" was also canceled in 2023, with its soon-to-air third season being the last. Unlike most on this list, however, the decision to conclude its brief run was a creative one, made by Harjo after some serious soul-searching. "I always knew what the end of this story would be, I just didn't know when it would arrive," he said on his Instagram when breaking the news to his followers.
Gossip Girl
In the late 2000s, "Gossip Girl" was one of the hottest teen dramas on television, and its six-season run helped bring stars like Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, and Penn Badgley to fame. The series was narrated by Kristen Bell, who voiced the unseen blogger of a gossip website that followed the goings-on of a group of rich, snobby teens in New York City.
Flash forward over a decade and the series got itself a sequel of the same name, though none of the original main cast returned beyond Kristen Bell as narrator. Now, the blog was back on social media, detailing the dirty secrets and hidden lives of a new group of NYC high schoolers. Launched as an HBO Max original in 2021, "Gossip Girl" broke streaming records as the biggest debut for the service. But in January 2023, just days prior to the second season finale, it was announced that it was all over after just 22 episodes.
Blue Bloods
One of the most popular shows on CBS, "Blue Bloods" is officially ending with its upcoming two-part Season 14. Starring Tom Selleck, the series follows the Reagan family of New York law enforcers who, you guessed it, "bleed blue." One of the longest-running shows on this list to get the ax, "Blue Bloods" was originally renewed for Season 14 back before the SAG-AFTRA strike, which delayed the show's return significantly. By November 2023, the network confirmed that Season 14 would not only be two parts, but also the show's final hurrah.
Understandably, fans were distraught by the news, though many have been grateful that the series will be given an extended chance at finishing out the Reagan story. Two-part seasons have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially when it comes to final seasons. Whether this cancellation is a direct result of the SAG-AFTRA strikes or the show's long-running popularity, "Blue Bloods" will no doubt go out with a bang. "Working alongside these incredible actors, writers, producers, directors and crew has been a dream come true and I'm grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary group for over 275 episodes," Selleck said following the news (via Variety). "We offer heartfelt gratitude to the fans who gathered with us for dinner every Friday night."
Young Sheldon
Another surprising cancellation from CBS came in the form of the network cutting "Young Sheldon" from its schedule. The series, which began in 2017, has run for six seasons on CBS and initially aired concurrently with its flagship series, "The Big Bang Theory." While "TBBT" remained on the air for 12 seasons, the prequel will be ending in 2024 with its seventh and final season. To go out with an even bigger bang, the show's very last episode will be a one-hour special that will air on May 16, 2024.
Following the early years of the Texas-born Sheldon Cooper — played by Jim Parsons on the original show and Iain Armitage in the prequel — "Young Sheldon" aimed to expand the "Big Bang" universe as far as could be. "Being able to tell the origin of Sheldon Cooper, and expanding the story to include the entire Cooper family has been a wonderful experience," said executive producers Steve Holland, Steven Molaro, and Chuck Lorre (via Deadline). "We are grateful to our fans for embracing this chapter of the Coopers these past six seasons, and on behalf of the entire 'Young Sheldon' family, we're excited to share this final season with you."
How I Met Your Father
Few sitcoms have as great a following as "How I Met Your Mother." The long-running series ran for nine seasons and even attempted a spin-off titled "How I Met Your Dad" back in the day. Well, that project didn't see the light of day, but where "HIMYM" creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas failed, Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger succeeded with the series "How I Met Your Father." Based on a rewrite of the original idea, "HIMYF" aired on Hulu rather than CBS and was canceled in 2023 after its second season.
Admittedly, the Hillary Duff-led series was nowhere near as charming, eventful, or well-thought-out as the original "How I Met Your Mother," and wasn't nearly as well-received by critics or audiences. With only two seasons under its belt, the spin-off and sequel attempted to save itself during its second season with some shoehorned "HIMYM" nods, but it wasn't enough. The show's ultimate cancellation didn't exactly come as a surprise, though we'll all be left wondering who the titular father really is. After all, the pilot reveals that we've already met him by the end of the first episode.
iCarly
When it first aired, the original "iCarly" was a hit with young audiences who were growing up just as social media was coming into being. The Miranda Cosgrove-led series ran for six seasons and nearly 100 episodes on Nickelodeon, and when it ended, fans were particularly upset. So when it was announced that "iCarly" would be making a comeback on Paramount+ in 2021, many of the fans who grew up with the original were delighted at the thought (even if Jennette McCurdy wasn't coming back). Unfortunately, the revival was canceled after its third season.
The show only made it to 33 episodes, and it ended on a crazy cliffhanger in which Carly's mother (who never appeared in the original series) finally shows up after decades away. Though we're unlikely to see the "iCarly" story continue — or learn if Carly and Freddie (Nathan Kress) ever tie the knot — anytime soon, we can always hope that the story might one day continue. After all, it's not like this is the first time "iCarly" has ever been canceled.
Walker: Independence
With the recent resurgence of the Western genre, it's no surprise that a neo-Western like the CW's "Walker" (which stars Jared Padalecki) would find itself traveling back to the Old West itself. Padalecki and his team ended up producing "Walker: Independence" for the network, which explores in detail the origins of the Walker family in late 1800s Texas. With Katherine McNamara as Abby Walker and Matt Barr as Hoyt Rawlins, it seemed like "Independence" had all the tools it needed to succeed. Sadly, it was canceled after only one season.
Despite efforts to shop the series to other networks, "Walker: Independence" is through. "Well folks, #WalkerIndependence may have bit the dust but the #WalkerLegacy lives on in the story we told, the memories we created, and the town we built," McNamara told fans on X (formerly known as Twitter). "We made a western – but above all, we made a family. I left my heart in Independence- and with every one of you beautiful people." "Walker: Independence" might've been greenlit on the success of other shows like "1883," but it couldn't keep itself above ground for long.
You
This isn't the first time that the hit psychological thriller "You" has been canceled. Originally, the show aired on Lifetime before moving to Netflix for its second season and beyond. Well, in August 2023, the streaming giant announced that "You" would only last one season more, with Season 5 being its last. Starring Penn Badgley as the obsessive killer Joe Goldberg, "You" is based on the series of books by Caroline Kepnes that will chill you to the bone. The show, which was developed by Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, made waves following the "#MeToo" movement and became an instant hit.
"We're proud to see how 'You' has captivated audiences around the world, becoming an instant sensation on Netflix with a resounding cultural impact that has grown season over season," expressed Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series for Netflix. "We're excited — and a bit terrified — to see how it all ends for Joe Goldberg." Considering how wild the Season 4 finale is, how Netflix could possibly top it remains to be seen. Hopefully, "You" will get the proper ending that it deserves.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Based on the hit children's books by Trenton Lee Stewart, Disney+ adapted "The Mysterious Benedict Society" over the course of two seasons and the results are delightful. Unfortunately, the streamer opted to cut costs by cutting out the show entirely, ending the series on a cliffhanger. "The Mysterious Benedict Society" was soon removed entirely from Disney+ as a result. "Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of 'THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY's journey on Disney+," wrote co-creator Phil Hay on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the show's removal. "We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen."
Hay later wrote that "the kids stay safe forever," hoping to ease any pain audiences may be feeling after the unfortunate news. "Hard to say goodbye to the #MysteriousBenedictSociety, but so INCREDIBLY thankful to [Disney TV Studios] and [Disney+]," wrote series star Tony Hale on his Instagram. Despite its cancellation, the show went on to be nominated for a whole bunch of Children's & Family Emmys, further emphasizing why so many loved it in the first place.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan
Seeing Jim from "The Office" as action hero Jack Ryan was certainly not on anyone's 2018 bingo card, yet Amazon's very own "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan" was an exciting, pulse-pounding thriller that captivated audiences everywhere. The action-heavy political thriller lasted three seasons on Amazon's premiere streaming service before it was announced that the fourth season would be its last. Despite the initial renewal that seemed hopeful concerning more adventures, fans were shocked at the news, which dropped in May 2023, just a few months before the final season premiered.
Additionally, the final season of "Jack Ryan" was the shortest, with only six episodes compared to the usual eight. "It's been an unbelievable honor to play this character," series star John Krasinski told USA Today. "I'm not sure if my 15-year-old self has reconciled with even having this opportunity." Since Seasons 3 and 4 were shot back to back, they produced a pretty cohesive story that wrapped up "Jack Ryan" with a bang. While it's hard to see Ryan go, knowing that there could be more additions to the Ryanverse down the line leaves us excited for the future.
Superman & Lois
It seems that DC Comics' longstanding domination in the television department is officially coming to an end. With the Arrowverse closing down with the final season of "The Flash" and other DC-based shows getting the ax, it certainly didn't come as a major surprise to learn the CW's fan-favorite series "Superman & Lois" would be ending with its fourth season. Thankfully, unlike some of DC's other projects, the show is being granted time to close out on its own terms, but the news still came as a shock to many who hoped the Superman series might last at least half as long as it's live-action predecessor, "Smallville."
"We're thrilled about what we have in store in our final season," noted co-showrunners Todd Helbing and Brent Fletcher to The Hollywood Reporter. "And can't wait for everyone to watch as Superman, Lois and all our heroes face off against the biggest threat in the show's history — Lex Luthor." While we're excited to see what heights the Kent family will soar to in its final year, the news itself is still pretty disappointing. But, with James Gunn's upcoming "Superman: Legacy" underway, it doesn't seem like these two Supermen can co-exist in the upcoming DC Universe.
Andor
When "Andor" first premiered, the original plan seemed to be that the show would last five seasons, telling the story of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) up until the beginning of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." After all, the show started five years before the events of the prequel. But with the announcement that Season 2 would be the last, jumping throughout the next four years of Cassian's life, "Andor" will be coming to an end in 2024. "This is the last season for 'Andor,'" series star Diego Luna explained (via Variety). "But knowing this is the end, I want to enjoy it and get the best out of this experience."
A "Star Wars" series unlike any other, "Andor" proved itself to be complex, mindful, and vastly different from the usual lightsaber-infested stories that we've come to expect from the galaxy far, far away, and as such it was met with enormous critical acclaim. A vast departure from shows like "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka," this series wasn't afraid to delve into gray areas and get a little muddy as a result. It'll be hard to see "Andor" go, especially knowing the character's ultimate fate means we (likely) won't see Luna as Andor again. Though, "Star Wars" has managed to bring back fan-favorite characters before...
Billions
The long-running Showtime series "Billions" also met its end in 2023 when the show was officially announced to be ending at Season 7, which premiered in August 2023 and wrapped up in October. Exploring themes surrounding power, greed, and obsession, the series starred Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis (who was absent for Season 6 but returned for Season 7) and ran for just over 80 episodes. "Billions" cancellation didn't exactly come as a surprise, though, as Paramount (the parent company for Showtime) has been rebranding, which has led to other cancellations beyond the Showtime drama.
But just because "Billions" is ending doesn't mean that the franchise is going to dry up. Multiple spin-offs such as "Billions: Miami," "Billions: London," "Millions," and, yes, even "Trillions" are currently in development, with Showtime president Chris McCarthy hoping to turn the series into a larger franchise à la Paramount's "Yellowstone." Given Paramount's recent track record with franchises, it seems likely that "Billions" will live on beyond its original run.
Cobra Kai
The initial idea behind "Cobra Kai" was admittedly a bit outlandish — after all, who would want to watch a show about the bully from "The Karate Kid"? — but the Netflix original has proven itself time and again as one of the most exciting shows on the streamer. Nevertheless, "Cobra Kai" is coming to an end with its sixth and final season, which will unite Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) once again to defend the valley from evil karate villains of "Karate Kids" past.
"It's been an awesome, long journey, but it's not over yet," Zabka noted at the Tudum fan event in Brazil (via Netflix). "Season 6 could be the biggest, the badassest, most amazing season of 'Cobra Kai' yet. So y'all ready?" The answer is obviously "yes." Compared to some of the other cancellations on this list, "Cobra Kai" coming to a close makes a lot of sense. After all, the kids are all growing up, and won't be able to pass as high school students forever. Additionally, the series is supposed to take place between 2017 and 2019, so it feels like it's time to wrap things up.
Outlander
The time-traveling historical drama "Outlander" has been a hit with audiences everywhere since it first premiered back in 2014, but even all good things must come to an end. Based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, "Outlander" follows Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe) as she's sent back in time from 1945 to the 1700s where she meets and eventually falls in love with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). Though she first marries Jamie because she has to survive in this new (old) world, they soon fall and love, and the show chronicles those adventures. But "Outlander," too, is ending, with an upcoming eighth and final season.
While Starz has greenlit a prequel series, the original will come to a close sometime in the next few years. In fact, "Outlander" has yet to air the back half of its seventh season, which will air sometime in 2024, leaving fans wondering when the final season will end up airing. Could it be that "Outlander" doesn't actually finish up until 2025? It's possible, but either way, we know that the next season will be its last, and that the adventures of Claire and Jamie Fraser can't go on forever.
Sex Education
All things must eventually come to an end, and that includes shows like Netflix's hit "Sex Education," which ends as of its fourth season, released in September 2023. "It just started to feel very clear that the stories were coming to an end," creator Laurie Nunn told Netflix's Tudum ahead of the announcement. "The characters were being left in a place that I felt really good about it. I felt happy for them, and I felt like I've said everything that I want to say with these characters at this time." As our teen protagonists head off to college, things change drastically from the first few seasons, and maybe not for the better.
The final season of "Sex Education" may not have been a thrilling adventure, but there's no denying that those involved said goodbye as best they could. "The show has so much love that's been put into it," Nunn explained. "Everyone that works on it really cares about the finished product, and I think that you can feel that love and care in the show."
Yellowstone
Possibly one of the most shocking cancellations of 2023 came from Paramount's "Yellowstone." Though the Yellowstone Universe is still going strong, the decision by series star Kevin Costner to step down as John Dutton forced the show into an early retirement. But never fear "Yellowstone" fans: Series creator Taylor Sheridan is working on a direct sequel series (headlined by Matthew McConaughey) that will continue the Dutton story beyond the second half of the show's fifth and final season, which will air in 2024.
Additionally, "Yellowstone" continues to produce a plethora of spin-offs and prequels that round out the Yellowstone Universe, with many of them still underway. The Texas-based spin-off "6666" is still in development, and the prequel "1923" is continuing to expand the Dutton story with a second season also set to return sometime in 2024. No doubt, this Western franchise is still alive and kicking for the foreseeable future, even if the flagship series is set to end.