Movies

Shadow And Bone & 6 Other Female-Led Fantasy TV Shows Canceled Too Soon

BBG News

2023 marked the end of Shadow and Bone‘s run, surprising many fans who eagerly awaited more story adaptation. Regrettably, this is not an uncommon occurrence for female-led fantasy series that ended prematurely. After all, fantasy has been a beloved genre for centuries, producing timeless tales like Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. Yet, despite widespread interest in these stories, numerous fantasy TV shows are denied the chance to fully flourish due to insufficient viewership numbers. Consequently, they are often overlooked and forgotten.

It’s particularly disappointing when television series centered around female leads in fantasy genres get terminated prematurely. Historically, fantasy has been predominantly tailored towards male audiences, with an emphasis on male characters and fewer substantial roles for women, who were often relegated to stereotypes or secondary positions. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way, but it’s still unfortunate when such series are cut short because of “low ratings,” denying viewers the chance to witness these narratives reach their conclusions and miss out on opportunities to see strong female representation.

7. Cursed

A King Arthur Retelling

A noteworthy instance of a fantasy series led by women that didn’t receive its deserved recognition is the 2020 Netflix production titled “Cursed“. This show derives from an eponymous graphic novel and focuses on Nimue, a young woman who is prophesied to transform into the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian lore. Prior to her ascent to prominence, Nimue joins forces with the mercenary named Arthur, who is on a mission to locate the wizard Merlin and deliver him a sword. The cast of “Cursed” includes Katherine Langford, Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård, and Daniel Sharman.

The series “Cursed” unfortunately did not continue beyond its first season. Given the circumstances, this outcome was somewhat predictable. It appears that Netflix didn’t attract as many viewers as anticipated for the show, and its reception from critics was only moderately positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, it garnered a 65% rating from critics and a 52% score from audiences. However, “Cursed” had the potential to be exceptional. Langford played an impressive heroine, and her story hinted at even more intriguing possibilities. Sadly, these prospects were cut short before they could fully unfold.

6. Willow

Six Teens Band Together To Save The World

Occasionally, it’s not just viewership that spells doom for female-led fantasy series; financial issues can be a problem too. For instance, Disney+ premiered “Willow” in 2022, a sequel to the 1988 film by the same name as a television series. Warwick Davis reprised his role as Willow, the talented sorcerer, while a new cast of teenage characters joined him. These youngsters banded together to save the world from the wicked Gales. Notably, Princess Kit Tanthalos embarks on a mission to rescue her twin brother, Airk. The show starred Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, and Tony Revolori.

Contrary to expectations and positive feedback, the fantasy series Willow became another female-led show that met an untimely end after only one season. Interestingly, its cancellation wasn’t due to a lack of viewership, quite the contrary. In fact, demand for Willow was an astounding 14.6 times higher than the average show in early 2023 (TheWrap.) However, it was Disney+’s decision to trim its budget for streaming that ultimately led to the demise of Willow. The series had a hefty budget of $156 million. In essence, Willow’s early success was unfortunately compromised by Disney+’s financial constraints.

5. Warrior Nun

A Young Woman Becomes Part Of A Secret Order

A series that was unfortunately canceled prematurely is “Warrior Nun,” which debuted in 2020. The story revolves around a 19-year-old girl named Ava Silva, who finds herself reborn and bestowed with an extraordinary destiny. This destiny includes her membership in the ancient Order of the Cruciform Sword, tasked with safeguarding the world from malevolent forces. As Ava navigates her mission, she must also evade those who seek to manipulate her. “Warrior Nun” is inspired by the comic book character, Warrior Nun Areala, created by Ben Dunn.

Despite being canceled following only two seasons, Warrior Nun didn’t back down without a struggle. Upon hearing the news, fans rallied on social media in an attempt to reboot the series for a third season. This effort garnered considerable attention, not just due to the high number of signatures, but because Warrior Nun season 2 was among the highest-rated seasons of a Netflix show, according to Forbes. Regrettably, the series was never renewed for a third season, however, it was subsequently picked up by another production company and is now slated for a trilogy of films.

4. The Acolyte

A Jedi Investigates A Series Of Crimes

Regarding the show “The Acolyte,” it’s unfortunate that it was canceled so swiftly, given its unique blend of science fiction elements. This female-led series, airing in 2024, is set a century before “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.” It centers around a Jedi Master embarking on an investigation into a string of crimes, only to encounter a former Padawan learner whose past conceals ominous secrets. The cast includes Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, and Jodie Turner-Smith.

The postponement of “The Acolyte” is more mysterious compared to other female-led fantasy shows, which makes it crucial to bring attention to this matter. The primary challenge the show encountered was a negative review campaign orchestrated by “Star Wars” enthusiasts who were displeased with the series’ diverse cast. This relentless barrage of unfavorable reviews ultimately resulted in “The Acolyte” garnering a surprising 19% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, contrasted with its 78% critics’ score. Instead, it would have been fair to allow “The Acolyte” the chance to demonstrate its potential as a series rather than judging it based solely on its cast composition.

3. Lockwood & Co.

A World Where Kids Fight Ghosts

It’s regrettable that there seems to be a growing connection between TV shows ending prematurely and Netflix. Another Netflix series that should have continued is “Lockwood & Co.”, based on the books by Jonathan Stroud. This show revolves around Lucy, a young woman living in a world overrun by ghosts. Since children are the only ones who can see these spirits, many like Lucy spend their lives ridding the world of them. After a devastating event in her hometown, Lucy relocates to London and teams up with two boys in their unique ghost-hunting enterprise.

Lockwood and Co., with a loyal fanbase and exceptional ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (boasting 94% approval from both critics and viewers), unfortunately didn’t secure a second season on Netflix due to expectations for higher viewership numbers. This decision is disheartening, especially since the initial season only covered the first two books, leaving ample room for more storytelling. Regrettably, Lockwood and Co. seems to have been overlooked by Netflix and left untouched in their inventory.

2. My Lady Jane

Jane Grey Is Made Queen Of England

A contemporary fantasy TV show that stirred controversy following its untimely termination is “My Lady Jane.” Adapted from a novel, it reimagines the real-life story of Lady Jane Grey, who ascended to the English throne for approximately nine days before being beheaded by Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s daughter. In this series, Jane isn’t just embroiled in political unrest but is also compelled into an unwanted marriage and discovering the enigmatic magic of her realm.

The enchanting series “My Lady Jane” was a marvel due to its skillful transformation of a sorrowful tale into something delightfully whimsical, romantic, and uplifting. The show masterfully blended fantasy with history while introducing contemporary elements into a predominantly historical backdrop, resulting in a vibrant, innovative, and exhilarating viewing experience. Unfortunately, it was heartbreaking for fans when the series was abruptly ended after only one season, as there were undoubtedly more stories to be told within its unique narrative.

1. Shadow & Bone

A Young Woman Unlocks Unexpected Powers

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the captivating female-led fantasy series that was tragically cut short: Shadow and Bone. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology, this Netflix gem unfolds in an enchanting high fantasy realm where individuals known as Grisha possess the ability to manipulate magic. Intriguingly, I find myself drawn to Alina Starkov, a young cartographer unaware of her unique powers, who inadvertently sets herself on a collision course with General Kirigan, the leader of the enigmatic Grisha. Simultaneously, a daring group of misfits conspire to pull off an audacious heist.

The series “Shadow and Bone” seemed destined for success, given its strong foundation in Leigh Bardugo’s popular books and the positive reception of its first two seasons by viewers. Despite some forgiveness for inaccuracies and the presence of dual storylines, Netflix decided to cancel the show due to low viewership numbers. This was disheartening because the series never reached one of Bardugo’s most celebrated story arcs, the Ice Court Heist. As a result, “Shadow and Bone” became an example of a fantasy series that faced an undeserved ending.

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2025-04-29 18:58

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