Popular TV Shows Audiences Can’t Believe Were Actually Canceled

While audiences appreciate the new shows that pop up every year, it can also be hard to say goodbye to your favorite series as they come to an end. Though every TV comedy or drama has to come to a conclusion at some point, that doesn’t mean it’s easy for fans to say goodbye.

Here are the canceled TV shows we really miss. A major network pulled the plug on a fan-favorite after six successful seasons (page 10). 

1. The Americans

The Russian spy drama took a bow in March 2018, with its last season giving fans 10 “action-packed” episodes. The Americans‘ co-creator Joe Fields said he’s “known how it was going to wrap for several years,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Fans were sad to see the acclaimed show conclude. But one thing co-stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys can take away from the FX show: their baby boy. The Americans brought them together off-screen, which they can cherish long after the show ends.

Next: America’s favorite HGTV couple says goodbye.

2. Fixer Upper

Chip, Joanna, and their four kids will add one more to their family after Joanna gives birth in 2018. The pregnancy, along with their show Fixer Upper concluding this year, makes for a busy time for the farmhouse family.

In September 2017, the couple announced via their blog that the fifth season of the HGTV show would be its last: “While we are confident that this is the right choice for us, it has for sure not been an easy one to come to terms with. How bittersweet to say goodbye to the very thing that introduced us all in the first place.” The series finale took place in April 2018.

Next: This beloved show’s lead character had to surrender her white hat.

3. Scandal

Since 2012, fans adored this political thriller about main character Olivia Pope’s crisis management firm. Legendary Grey’s Anatomy producer Shonda Rimes always stated Scandal was a seven-season show. She announced its 2018 end, much to the dismay of viewers. Pope’s love affair with President Fitzgerald Grant III will go down in history as a beloved TV couple.

Scandal was named the American Film Institute’s Television Program of the Year. It received the Peabody Award for Excellence in Television, and Washington was nominated for an Emmy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG Award during the show’s run.

Next: NBC went overboard with Chicago-based shows.

4. Chicago Justice

Watch instead: Any of the Chicago series

Were there enough Chicago-focused TV shows airing before the creation of Chicago Justice? Probably. After one season, the fourth series in Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise got the boot. But it made sense to give the legal drama a one-season try.

The original Chicago Fire is NBC’s second-highest rated drama (behind This Is Us). The other two, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D., do well enough. It looks like three’s a charm for the Windy City.

5. The Middle

This show about a middle-class American family quietly garnered high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes throughout its nine seasons on ABC. Although The Middle has consistently flown under the radar, it been a consistent success for the network, which announced the series would conclude in 2018, with its 200th episode taking place during that time.

The show’s creators stated, ” “It’s been an amazing run, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we’re looking forward to having an entire year to say goodbye.”

Next: Sexual harassment accusations put an end to this political thriller.

6. House of Cards

As the #MeToo movement picked up steam in Hollywood, House of Cards lead Kevin Spacey faced sexual harassment allegations from numerous accusers. After the iconic actor released a less-than-satisfactory statement explaining his actions, Netflix cut ties with all of his projects, including the award-winning political thriller.

Although we don’t know much about the plot, House of Cards‘ sixth and final season will feature Spacey’s co-star, Robin Wright, as the lead. We do know her dysfunctional character,  Claire Underwood, will provide more than enough fodder.

Next: This show’s cancellation may have involved politics.

7. Last Man Standing

Watch instead: The Goldbergs

This cancellation got messy when fans accused ABC of ending Last Man Standing due to star Tim Allen’s conservative political beliefs. Fans found the cancellation especially odd because the show still had solid ratings.

They even created an online petition threatening to boycott ABC. But the network’s Entertainment President Channing Dungey denied these claims, stating that “Tim Allen’s personal politics had nothing whatsoever to do with it,” as reported by People.com. She explained that scheduling and programming made it impossible to renew the series.

According to Esquire, Allen later said that “there is nothing more dangerous, especially in this climate, than a funny, likable conservative character.” We may never get to the bottom of this cancellation.

Next: This beloved comedy’s term is nearly over.

8. VEEP

Watch instead: Parks and Recreation

First known for her Seinfeld role, Julia Louis-Dreyfus earned critical acclaim as Vice President Selina Meyer in VEEP. And Rotten Tomatoes gives it consistently high ratings for all six seasons so far.

Sadly, HBO announced its seventh season will be VEEP‘s last. Louis-Dreyfus explained, “We don’t want to repeat ourselves or wear out our welcome. The story has a finality to it that feels end-of-series.” For now, VEEP fans eagerly await one last season set to air in 2018.

Next: NBC chose not to resuscitate this medical drama.

9. The Night Shift

Watch instead: Chicago Med

With a quiet launch in 2014, The Night Shift flew under the radar, amassing a loyal following during its four seasons on NBC. The network pulled the plug in 2017, announcing there would not be a fifth season of the “army vet medical drama.”

With Chicago Med and the forthcoming New Amsterdam, NBC seemed to recognize it can only air so many medical dramas at once.

Next: Viewers said goodbye to this lovable TV couple after six seasons.

10. Mike & Molly

Watch instead: Big Bang Theory

11. American Idol

Watch instead: The Voice

Fox closed the curtain on American Idol in 2015, after the once hugely popular series saw a continued dip in ratings. The reality phenom aired its 15th season from January to April 2016, with Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr. returning as judges.

After intense negotiations, ABC bought American Idol and announced its 2018 return with new judges, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. So far, ABC’s Idol has been plagued by scandals, such as sexual harassment allegations against host Ryan Seacrest and Katy Perry’s callous property battle against a group of Los Angeles nuns.

With terribly low ratings, the show lost to The Voice by approximately 3 million viewers as the competitions aired simultaneously. The future looks bleak for the new Idol.

Next: This across-the-border show pushed boundaries with viewers.

15. The Jim Gaffigan Show

Watch instead: Atypical

With quite a low viewership, family comedy The Jim Gaffigan Show said goodbye to its TV Land fans. Produced by Gaffigan and his wife Jeannie, the show received praise from critics but ultimately did not extend beyond two seasons.

According to USA Today, Jim and Jeannie released a statement thanking TV Land for the opportunity to create a show inspired by their lives. They explained that The Jim Gaffigan Show took too much time away from their real family of five children.

However, the cancellation was a mutual agreement among the couple, production, and media company, so it seems like there’s more going on than meets the eye.

Next: This show seemed way too good to end.

16. The Good Wife

Watch instead: Doubt

CBS’ drama may be a critical darling, but its seventh season opened pretty softly. The show garnered a 1.2 rating in its October 2014 premiere. Though it drew in 9.25 million viewers, those numbers are only so-so for CBS.

With ratings continuing to dip and the official departure of its showrunners announced in 2016, the show was clearly ready for its curtain call. CBS made the cancellation official in February 2016, announcing the seventh season was its last.

Next: This “castle” came crumbling down.

17. Castle

Watch instead: Jessica Jones

In May 2016, ABC pulled the plug on this procedural drama after eight seasons. The decision came months after the show let go female lead Stana Katic, reportedly to cut costs on the veteran series.

There was initial talk that a final abbreviated season would occur after her departure, but the network ultimately axed the show altogether.

Next: Fans loved Don Cheadle in this role.

Next: This show got “blacklisted.”