It would appear that we are officially in the Season of the Chop! No, put down your braai tongs, the South African summer is still a few months off. I’m talking about the US Fall (or autumn, if you’re in a country that doesn’t name seasons after what a leaf does during that period) which is traditionally when American TV networks trim their content to make way for a bunch of new debuts. With 2020 being the dumpster fire that it is, there was very little in terms of new productions happening this year, but it would appear this is still stopping several shows from getting the chop!
Arguably the biggest of the lot is Altered Carbon, Netflix’s adaptation of Richard K. Morgan’s body-swapping sci-fi actioner. After one fantastic season starring Joel Kinnaman as Takeshi Kovacs and another not-so-fantastic season starring Anthony Mackie in the same role, Netflix has decided not to come back for a third. The streaming platform has indicated that the show’s numbers during its second season just could not justify its rather large production budget.
That is unfortunate, but a completely understandable reason. Alas, things were not so nice for two other Netflix shows. I’m Not Okay With This and The Society have both been cancelled after just one season, despite both shows previously having been given second season renewals with scripts already written. According to Netflix’s statement to Deadline, the sudden reversal of fortunes came about “due to circumstances created by COVID” as the pandemic put both shows’ productions into indefinite holding patterns.
This really sucks as both I’m Not Okay With This – a super-powered coming-of-age dramedy starring Sophia Lillis – and The Society – a big cast YA-drama billed as a modern reinvention of Lord of the Flies – ended on big cliffhangers. I had only watched the former and I really wanted to see where it was going. Alas!
Netflix wasn’t the only broadcaster swinging around an axe in the last week though, as Showtime also cancelled Penny Dreadful: City of Angels after one season. A spinoff of creator John Logan’s brilliant 13-time Emmy-nominated gothic horror series Penny Dreadful, City of Angels starred Natalie Dormer and transplanted the show’s setting from Victorian England to 1930s Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the new series never really caught on with audiences the way its predecessor had, prompting Showtime to “not move forward with another season.”
Other shows that have also been cancelled over the last few weeks include Comedy Central’s Drunk History, Tosh.0, and Netflix’s Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.
Last Updated: August 27, 2020
CrAiGiSh
August 27, 2020 at 11:47
“not-so-fantastic season starring Anthony Mackie”
Was worried about this.
He didn’t bring out the Takeshi Kovacs that Joel Kinnaman did and it shows.
The cancellation of Penny Dread sucks, as it was decent.
Again not as good as the first one, but decent.
Iskape
August 27, 2020 at 11:56
Yeah. I’m sad about Altered Carbon, but season 2 was not as good as season 1, so it’s no surprise. Whenever shows get cancelled, and I haven’t finished watching them, I tend to steer clear of them and don’t bother to watch until the last episode.
For the Emperor!
August 28, 2020 at 10:15
My biggest gripes with Season 2: the action had more cuts than a Michael Bay film has explosions, combined that I was 3/4 through before the story “took off”. With less than stellar action the story needed to grip me sooner. Still, looking forward to where season 3 would go…
MechMachine
August 28, 2020 at 10:15
It lacked some of the powerful moments the first season had. That’s what I missed.
Original Heretic
August 27, 2020 at 12:10
Aw, no more Drunk History? I bloody love that show!
Mistake Not...
August 27, 2020 at 12:32
Really? Altered Carbon and I’m Not Okay With This were both shows I enjoyed. Netflix should just put a ‘This show is cancelled. Remove it from your list. Sorry we ended it on a cliffhanger which will never be resolved’ banner under the show titles.
Son of Banana Jim
August 27, 2020 at 13:08
I used to hate that about the Syfy channel. Far too many great shows cancelled before they could finish their story arcs. Netflix has a slightly better track record than Syfy but they’re definitely getting there.
Son of Banana Jim
August 27, 2020 at 13:07
I really disliked the second season of Altered Carbon. It just felt like Anthony Mackie could have done so much more with the role, but I don’t think he should be blamed for this, the writing was just horrendous for the second season.
Kervyn Cloete
August 27, 2020 at 14:04
How did a usually charismatic actor like Mackie turn in such a dull performance though?
Son of Banana Jim
August 27, 2020 at 14:53
I really don’t know. It still baffles my mind, and I was actually looking forward to his portrayal of Takeshi. Hopefully, one day he’ll spill the beans at a fan con.
PS (completely off topic): Did you see new Warframe update is live. Deimos is calling you!!
Kervyn Cloete
August 27, 2020 at 15:02
LOL I did see but I haven’t been in Warframe in probably a year and a half. I do hear the siren call though as a few of my best friends still drop in there regularly,
BradeLunner
August 27, 2020 at 13:55
Drunk history and Patriot act is a big loss
RinceThis
August 27, 2020 at 14:53
I am rather gutted by I’m Not Okay With This being cancelled. It was superb. Yet they greenlit another kissing booth installment? I honestly wonder about Netflix sometimes.
Kervyn Cloete
August 27, 2020 at 15:02
Don’t wonder about Netflix. The viewership numbers for The Kissing Booth must have been huge. My teenage niece was staying with us when the second one dropped and it was all she and her friends were speaking about for days.
Yondaime
August 27, 2020 at 15:43
Makes sense, gotta please the masses.
PestControl
August 28, 2020 at 08:55
I don’t want to be that guy, but when I heard Anthony Mackie was casted as Takeshi it already raised some concerns for me – it’s not that I dislike him as an actor – I just don’t think he would fit the role at all… and now clearly it resonated with other people as well… sad times 🙁
MechMachine
August 28, 2020 at 10:15
As much as I wanted to like Altered Carbon Season 2. It just fell short for me. I love Anthony Mackie. I love the Universe they created. But there was something not right. It was just not as good as season one. I put it down to the novelty wearing thin. I still haven’t even watched the final episode. Still, a cancellation is harsh. Give it at least another season for redemption.