6 of the best shows that were cancelled in 2025 – including an “absorbing” crime drama

With 2025 almost over, we’re seeing the end of some favorite TV shows, like Stranger Things, and also saying goodbye to others that have been cancelled.

As Netflix prepares to end its popular sci-fi teen drama with a final season, several other shows haven’t been renewed for more episodes, leaving their stories unfinished.

Despite having dedicated fans, respectable viewership, and positive reviews, several TV shows – ranging from lighthearted comedies to compelling dramas about how villains are made – have been cancelled by networks this year.

What to Read Next

Below we’re taking a look at some of 2025’s cancellation casualties that stung the most.

Extraordinary

The Disney+ comedy Extraordinary, which is set in London, has been cancelled after two seasons, despite leaving viewers on a cliffhanger at the end of its second season.

The series centers around Jen, a 25-year-old played by Máiréad Tyers, who lives in a world where most people gain superpowers when they turn 18. The catch? She hasn’t developed one.

Jen is dealing with the disappointment of not having superpowers, and she’s facing challenges like grief and romantic setbacks. Luckily, she has her best friend Carrie (Sofia Oxenham) who has a unique ability: she can communicate with ghosts, and helps Jen through everything.

Emma Moran created the critically acclaimed series Extraordinary. Both seasons received a perfect 100% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Since a third season isn’t happening, we’ll never find out what happened to Jen after her fall in Walthamstow. Many fans were disappointed with the ending and have started a petition hoping to revive the show.

Boots

Netflix has decided not to move forward with a second season of the military drama Boots, which was based on Greg Cope White’s memoir, The Pink Marine.

The new series, set in 1990, centers on Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer), a teenager hiding his sexuality. He joins a Marine boot camp alongside his straight best friend, Ray McAffey (Liam Oh).

Cameron attended camp while concealing his identity as gay, because military regulations in the early 1990s prohibited openly being gay while serving.

Starting in 1993, the US military had a ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, which meant LGBTQ+ individuals could serve only if they didn’t reveal their sexual orientation. This policy was repealed in 2011, and now openly LGBTQ+ people are able to serve in the US military.

Created by Andy Parker, Boots is Certified Fresh with a critics’ score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The show concludes with a reference to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, immediately following Cameron’s graduation from boot camp alongside his fellow recruits.

Dexter: Original Sin

Dexter: Original Sin won’t come back for seconds after it was originally renewed by Paramount.

Michael C. Hall, known for his role in Dexter, narrates Original Sin, a new series that tells the story leading up to the events of the original show, which aired from 2006 to 2013.

This prequel, set in 1991, explores the origins of Dexter Morgan, revealing how he became a serial killer. The story follows him as he begins his career as a forensic intern with the Miami Metro Police Department, with Patrick Gibson portraying the young Dexter.

The series boasts a fantastic cast, including Christian Slater (from Mr. Robot) as Dexter’s father, Harry, Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy) as the head of the homicide division, Aaron Spencer, and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) as Tanya Martin, the chief of forensics.

The show premiered in 2024 and received a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics at Espinof called it “a solid and absorbing crime series.”

Okay, good news for all of us who loved Dexter! They’re making a second season of Dexter: New Blood – so we’ll get to see what happens next with Dexter! I’m definitely excited!

The new series, which begins in 2025, continues the story of Michael C. Hall’s character after he recovered from being shot in Dexter: New Blood. The show also stars Uma Thurman, Peter Dinklage, Jack Alcott, and Krysten Ritter.

Poker Face

The quirky detective series created by Rian Johnson and starring Natasha Lyonne won’t be returning for a third season, as Peacock has canceled the show.

Johnson and Lyonne are executive producers of the series, which will feature a new mystery to solve each week, much like the classic show Columbo.

Constance Lyonne plays Charlie Cale, a casino employee who can instantly tell when people are lying. After uncovering a dangerous killer, Charlie is forced to flee and finds herself investigating murders across the country, with a different guest star joining her in each episode.

Following the cancellation of Poker Face on Peacock, Rian Johnson revealed his idea to bring the show back with a rotating lead actor, similar to Doctor Who. He envisions a new star taking on the role of Charlie every two years, with Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as a potential candidate (according to Deadline).

Both seasons were highly praised by critics and currently have high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with 98% and 96% scores respectively.

Season 2 included appearances by several well-known actors, such as Cynthia Erivo from Wicked, Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad, Melanie Lynskey known for Yellowjackets, and John Cho from Cowboy Bebop.

Patti Harrison plays Alex, a quirky and enthusiastic new friend to Charlie after Alex arrives in New York City. The story ends with a surprising reveal about who Alex really is, and it creates problems for Charlie as she tries to solve the mystery.

The Wheel of Time

Prime Video has decided not to renew Rosamund Pike’s show, The Wheel of Time, for another season, meaning it won’t return for a fourth season.

The TV show is based on the books by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. It features Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, a strong magic-user who’s searching for the Dragon Reborn—a person with incredible power who could either save or destroy the world.

The show was cancelled in May after a lot of discussion, primarily due to financial concerns.

Following the axe, Pike expressed her hopes for another studio to save the series.

She expressed hope that another studio would recognize the show’s potential and continue it. “We’ve built an incredible team and are capable of delivering a fantastic conclusion to the series,” she shared with Collider.

Pike shared that she’s still in contact with the show’s creator, Rafe Judkins, and they’ve both figured out how to adapt the source material. However, she also feels they should probably accept that the show won’t be continuing.

Fans upset by the cancellation have launched a petition to save the show, pointing to the higher Rotten Tomatoes scores for season 3 of The Wheel of Time as evidence it still has potential and deserves to continue Moiraine’s storyline.

The Residence

I was really shocked to hear Netflix cancelled The Residence! It was shaping up to be a fun, twisty murder mystery – I was totally hooked! It’s especially frustrating because even though it was cancelled, people actually liked the show and there was a dedicated group of us following it. It just feels so sudden and disappointing.

Shonda Rhimes’ new series is a mystery centered around a death in the White House. Uzo Aduba stars as Cordelia Cupp, a highly skilled private investigator tasked with solving the death of AB Wynter, the White House Chief Usher, played by Giancarlo Esposito.

Cupp, a passionate birdwatcher, becomes involved with the DC Police and FBI when Wynter’s body is found during a state dinner honoring Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos, portrayed by Julian McMahon in his last television appearance.

The show features a mix of familiar faces and unexpected characters as Cupp discovers the inner workings of the White House, revealing the personal conflicts, competitive relationships, and romantic entanglements among the staff.

Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer of the show, expressed her sadness on Instagram after Netflix canceled the series.

She called The Residence a brilliant, witty, and funny show, and expressed her disappointment that it was cancelled and won’t be getting another season.

Enjoy the holidays with the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide! It’s packed with 14 days of listings to help you plan your festive viewing, and it’s available now for just £4.75 at Morrisons, TG Jones, and other magazine shops.

2025-12-23 19:23