7 Netflix Shows That Were Unceremoniously Canceled On Cliffhangers

These shows haunt my dreams; unanswered questions just floating in the universe.

Warning! Potential spoilers ahead.

Have you ever been sucked into a new show on Netflix? After binge watching an entire season, you eagerly look up the date of the next season’s release, and there it is…numbered on the list of shows that Netflix has decided to drop like a hot potato, leaving its faithful viewers in the lurch. 

1. Glow (2017–2019)

Netflix

Fifteen Emmy nominations and three wins…but it wasn’t good enough for Netflix to keep around. Netflix originally renewed the series for a fourth and final season, but then reversed their decision due to COVID-19. In already unprecedented times, they decided that its viewers didn’t need any closure or happiness. We’ll never know what happened with Bash and Rhonda’s marriage, Keith and Cherry’s decision to adopt, and Ruth and Debbie’s friendship. Thanks a lot, Netflix.

2. October Faction (2020)

Netflix

You’d think that Netflix would want to keep around a show about a monster hunting family including twins with supernatural powers…but no. After just one season, Netflix cut the cord and left all of its viewers in the lurch after leaving the show on several cliffhangers. Let’s just reawaken a witch with terrible powers, answer absolutely nothing about her, and end the series. Okay, yes, the show only received 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the faithful few viewers need answers and closure!

3. The Society (2019)

Netflix

Alice Cooper famously sang “school’s out forever,” and in the case of Netflix’s The Society, they meant it. Take away an entire society’s parental units and let’s see how its youth deal with recreating society…or not. We were promised insurrection, youthful abandon, Lord of the Flies-esque justice and instead we received cliffhangers and disappointment. An 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes makes you think “maybe we should keep a show around,” but not Netflix. You gave us a single season, Netflix, and then you tore it away without answers just like these teens' parents (until you find out the parents are still alive in some other dimension, mourning their lost kids...).

4. The Order (2019–2020)

Netflix

Witches and werewolves, oh my! Two seasons with a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A third season you say? Nah, says Netflix. Save Lilith from the demon realm only to find out that she’s been turned into a demon too? Now, why would any viewer want to find out what happens next? They might as well have just left her there for eternity, for all Netflix cares! My only question is how has Riverdale stayed on the air for seven seasons with subpar acting and outrageous storylines (what teenager runs an underground speak-easy; and what town has dealt with not one, not two, but three killers whose crimes are solved by a group of teenagers)? Netflix, why won’t you let us keep our guilty pleasures?

5. Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019)

Netflix

Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. That’s it. That’s all that should be said and yet Netflix had the audacity to cancel this masterpiece. Arguably the most upsetting cliffhanger ending: Mr. Ball Legs climbs into Joel and Sheila bites Joel in order to save his life. Cut to black. Cut to viewer despair and anger forever for never getting answers or closure. Damn you, Netflix. I don’t care that my friends get angry with me; I still recommend this show regularly, even if I know they'll also have to suffer disappointment.

6. Daredevil (2015–2018)

Netflix

The best superhero show on Netflix (fight me) and they cancelled it. Finally, a redemption from the debacle that was Ben Affleck's god-awful portrayal of Daredevil and a solid storyline and Netflix was like, “nah.” Instead, Netflix created the spin-off series The Punisher and said buh-bye to the masterpiece they had originally created. Charlie Cox’s portrayal was a thing of beauty. The storyline was a thing to behold and they ripped it from us. Was it canceled back in 2018? Yes. Does it still sting? Like a damn bullet ant.

7. Away (2020)

Netflix

Netflix sends Hilary Swank to space and then leaves her there…indefinitely, just floating in space. The problems at home just a fading memory without any answers. No repercussions for Lu after all the build-up about her picture. It appears as though Netflix’s MO is to get the viewer emotionally invested in their character’s stories, and then to just rip the rug out from under them.

Were any of these shows ones you were begging for a new season of, or did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments!