Even popular shows have a hard time staying on the air, and these four series are proof. Whether critically acclaimed, well-loved by audience members, or talked about ad nauseam in the media, each of these popular shows was sadly met with a cancellation notice sometime in 2023.
‘Physical’
This Rose Byrne-led dramedy about a housewife who takes the world of aerobics by storm was well-liked by critics and those who tuned in, but Physical didn’t garner enough of an audience for a fourth season. Annie Weisman, the series’ creator with writing and producing credits for shows like Desperate Housewives and About a Boy, doesn’t have any upcoming projects announced at the moment, but Byrne’s other Apple TV+ original, Platonic, which she stars in alongside Seth Rogen, was recently picked up for a second season.
Physical is streaming now on Apple TV+.
‘Sex/Life’
Netflix’s Sex/Life – starring Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel, and Adam Demos – was one of the most popular shows in the summer of 2021 thanks to one very explicit scene (if you’ve already seen it, you know exactly what we’re talking about), but it lost its momentum and dropped a very underwhelming second season earlier this year. Sex/Life was unsurprisingly canceled, but it’s still a good option for anyone looking for a quick binge of a series that was all anyone could talk about a couple of summers ago.
Sex/Life is streaming now on Netflix.
‘Ziwe’
Ziwe brought the world some of the best interview clips of the past several years. The host’s signature interview style mixed with her aesthetically pleasing set and unexpected guests made for arguably the most unique talk show of this century. Unfortunately, the show was more popular as clips on TikTok than in streaming numbers, and ultimately it was canceled after two seasons. The episodes aren’t particularly time-sensitive, though, so Ziwe can still be enjoyed today.
Ziwe is streaming now on Paramount+ with Showtime.
‘The Great’
A Hulu original Emmy-winning period piece, The Great put deserved attention on Elle Fanning’s acting chops, and it was supported by an excellent cast. Diehard fans of the popular show were gravely disappointed to see it go, and casual viewers were just as surprised by the announcement. But if the show’s purpose was to propel Fanning further into the acting stratosphere, then it absolutely succeeded.
The Great is streaming now on Hulu.