Netflix’s Hardest-Hitting Sci-Fi Thriller With 75% RT Is Better Than It Has Any Right Being

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It’s become common to track which beloved shows Netflix has cancelled, and one from 2018 still particularly disappoints fans. Like other shows cut short, such as Mindhunter, the cyberpunk series Altered Carbon gained a dedicated following but unfortunately declined in quality during its second season.

It’s not surprising to see this reaction – season two of the show initially received very different responses from viewers and critics, though some critics later changed their minds. The original Altered Carbon was a hit because it unexpectedly delivered a rich cyberpunk world, exploring themes of immortality and social inequality, all centered around a complex and compelling main character.

What Went Wrong with Netflix’s Altered Carbon?

The first season of Altered Carbon was a standout series on Netflix, successfully capturing the complex and immersive world of a cyberpunk future. It skillfully contrasted the harsh, sprawling cityscapes like Bay City with the luxurious, high-tech world of the Aerium, all while following former soldier Takeshi Kovacs as he’s brought out of prison to investigate a mysterious murder.

As a big fan of noir, I was really impressed with this series. It felt like a really faithful, but improved, version of the book it’s based on – especially when it came to hitting the emotional notes. Chris Conner as the AI hotel manager, Edgar Poe, was a stroke of genius! And the action? Seriously, episode four was incredible. You really feel the raw power and anger when Kovacs wakes up, and Will Kinnamon’s performance makes it completely believable. It’s just a really satisfying watch.

I was so hyped for season one of the show, but honestly, a lot of us fans were really disappointed with season two. It just didn’t feel as connected to the books like the first season did. I think a big part of it was the change in showrunners – Laeta Kalogridis, who I loved on season one, stepped back and Alison Schapker took over. It felt like they spent way too much time telling us things instead of showing us, and the story kind of lost its way. And while Anthony Mackie is a great actor, he just didn’t quite capture the same vibe as the original Kovacs, in my opinion.

Despite a strong start and positive reviews for its first season, Altered Carbon wasn’t renewed for a third season because it didn’t attract enough viewers. This outcome, while disappointing, wasn’t entirely unexpected, particularly given the significantly different reactions from viewers and critics to season 2.

Altered Carbon’s Show Thankfully Has Plenty Cyberpunk Successors

It’s disappointing that Altered Carbon was cancelled, but there’s still plenty for cyberpunk fans to enjoy right now. Cyberpunk 2077, the game from CD Projekt RED, overcame a rocky start and became a popular, highly-regarded title thanks to significant improvements, and its animated series is also considered one of the best in the genre.

If you’re looking for a cyberpunk world beyond Night City – which is getting its own TV show soon – keep an eye on Apple TV+’s upcoming adaptation of Neuromancer. This series is based on the first book in William Gibson’s influential Sprawl trilogy, and it’s considered the novel that truly launched the cyberpunk genre, appearing well before titles like Altered Carbon.

Some people question whether a new adaptation of Neuromancer is needed, and that’s understandable considering how similar ideas were explored in Altered Carbon and the fact that the novel is over 40 years old. However, it’s likely to be the most faithful adaptation for fans of the 2018 Netflix series, and Apple TV+ has generally done good work with science fiction, so it has a good chance of success.

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2026-02-16 07:58