Prime Video’s The Peripheral Is Finally Being Appreciated 4 Years Later

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Prime Video consistently releases popular, well-received shows each year. Recent examples include Ballard in 2025, Fallout in 2024, and Gen V, which added to The Boys universe in 2023. While these hits grab headlines, other worthwhile shows often don’t get the attention they deserve.

The 2022 sci-fi thriller, The Peripheral, based on William Gibson’s novel, had high expectations. Many believed it could become a major hit for Amazon Prime Video, with the potential to run for multiple seasons and become one of the platform’s key shows. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to those hopes.

The show didn’t last as long as hoped, ending after only one season. However, four years later, it’s now receiving the praise it deserves.

The Peripheral Became A Streaming Success 4 Years Later

When The Peripheral debuted on Prime Video, it received generally positive reviews but didn’t immediately become a major hit. While it briefly appeared among the platform’s top 10 shows, it didn’t generate much online buzz, leaving the show’s future uncertain after its first season ended on a cliffhanger.

Interestingly, the sci-fi drama has recently gained popularity, becoming a hit on streaming platforms in January 2026. In addition to reaching number one in Nigeria, this surprisingly good show also appeared in the top 10 on Prime Video in several other countries, such as South Africa, Romania, Czechia, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, and Finland.

It’s difficult to say exactly why this is suddenly so popular, but people are clearly still interested in projects like this, and that might even lead Prime Video to think about bringing back The Peripheral, even after all this time.

Why Prime Video Canceled The Peripheral After One Season

Cancelling The Peripheral was a tough call, especially considering how much promise the show had. Amazon initially intended to continue the series with a second season, adapting more of the book. Unfortunately, the lengthy strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America in 2023 changed those plans.

As a huge fan of The Peripheral, I was really gutted when Prime Video decided not to move forward with season two. It feels especially frustrating because the show had so many unanswered questions, and the producers, like Lisa Joy, had talked about wanting to explore the story over at least three seasons! That cliffhanger ending is just… painful now, knowing we probably won’t get any closure. It’s a shame they chose to focus on other projects instead of continuing this awesome thriller.

It’s a shame that The Peripheral was canceled, and it’s disappointing no one has revived it. Despite the initial reasons for cancellation being understandable, letting the show end feels like a lost chance to explore its potential.

The Peripheral’s Cancellation Is Frustrating

It’s always a shame when a well-regarded show gets canceled, but the cancellation of The Peripheral feels especially frustrating. The show still had plenty of source material from the book to draw from and created a really compelling world. The first season ended on a cliffhanger, promising a thrilling continuation for characters like Wilf, Aelita, Burton, and Cherise.

The show’s complex science fiction aspects also created uncertainty about Flynne’s fate, a question that remains unanswered. Sadly, the cancellation of The Peripheral continues a frustrating trend of streaming services ending promising shows too soon. With more seasons, this series had the potential to become a truly unique and major success, unlike anything else currently available.

With strong reviews from both critics (79%) and audiences (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), The Peripheral was clearly a hit. That makes its cancellation even more disappointing, especially since fans and those involved with the show wanted to continue the story. Hopefully, it will be revived in the future.

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2026-01-19 21:49