Netflix’s 2-Part Musical Series With An All-Star Cast Is One Of Its Most Underrated Shows

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Netflix is known for its shows with big-name actors, but not every promising series gets the chance to succeed. While some franchises, like Stranger Things, thrive and even get spin-offs – with its final season becoming the most expensive TV season ever – others are quickly canceled. For example, the 2020 series I Am Not Okay with This was cancelled after just one season, despite its potential.

As a big fan of shows with a bit of the unusual, I was really hoping I Am Not Okay with This would click. It had a lot going for it – a young woman dealing with powers and all the awkwardness of growing up in a small town, which reminded me a lot of Stranger Things. Actually, one of the producers of Stranger Things was involved, but even that couldn’t save it. It’s frustrating because I’ve seen this happen before, like with Sweet Tooth on Netflix. That show was so creative and got great reviews, but it still only lasted three seasons. It’s a shame when a show with so much promise doesn’t get the chance to really shine.

Let me tell you, I’ve seen a lot of shows get cancelled, but few went down as tragically as Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down. Known for his over-the-top style in films like Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, Luhrmann tried to bring that same energy to television with this series. It was set in the vibrant, groundbreaking Bronx of the early 1970s, right as hip-hop and disco were exploding onto the scene. The story followed Justice Smith as ‘Books’ Figuero, a talented young musician with dreams of becoming a legendary rapper.

The Get Down Should Have Never Been Canceled So Early

Daveed Diggs, known for his role in Hamilton, portrayed the older version of the character Books, and legendary rapper Nas provided his rap verses. But that was just a glimpse of the incredible cast of The Get Down. Shameik Moore, before becoming famous in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, played Shao, Books’ captivating but unreliable friend, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who would later become a major star, played the charismatic local disco leader, Clarence “Cadillac” Caldwell.

Featuring a stellar cast including Jimmy Smits, Jaden Smith, Giancarlo Esposito, and many others, with Mamoudou Athie portraying Grandmaster Flash, The Get Down boasted one of the most impressive ensembles ever seen on television. It’s particularly frustrating that the show lasted only 11 episodes, because, unlike Baz Luhrmann’s often sprawling movies, it could have had enough time to fully develop its characters and rich setting.

The Get Down Was A Wholly Original TV Show

Netflix’s The Get Down was a promising and unique series, full of energy, nostalgia, and a sense of importance. Though expensive to produce – costing around $120 million – it successfully captured the vibrant style of the director’s previous work. Unlike another Netflix show, Zero Day, the talented cast was given ample opportunity to showcase their skills across the show’s eleven episodes. The story, which followed Books’ rise and the challenges faced by his friends in 1970s New York City’s music world, was both surprising and captivating.

Despite being a unique and promising show with a talented cast, The Get Down didn’t quite reach its full potential. It aimed to be a detailed, musical celebration of 1970s New York, and the streaming format could have allowed for deeper character development. Unfortunately, it was canceled after just one season, leaving the 11 episodes as a visually striking but ultimately incomplete vision.

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2026-05-04 18:51