TV

Rest In Peace To These TV Shows That Were Axed in 2020

Join us in pouring one out for the fallen TV of 2020.

by Merryana Salem  21 December 2020
cancelled tv

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A lot of people binged, viewed and streamed a lot in 2020.

While more of us were streaming and stuck inside watching tv then in recent memory, not all the TV shows we watched survived the year either. Here’s the year in Memorium for 2020 TV shows.

Disclaimer: this list is for cancel shows, not shows that ended.

Brave New World

Brave New World (Stan)

Despite being convinced I am one of five people on earth who liked this series, I am going to start with Brave New World (Stan).

This TV adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s novel (which you were probably forced to read at school) was the most chaotic, camp-ish, and deliriously entertaining mess I have ever seen. Devastated at the lack of taste demonstrated by its cancellation.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Even though it was originally slated for 5 seasons, Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s fourth season will be it’s last. The fourth and final season of the series will drop on New Year’s eve. However, what was originally planned for season five will be made into a comic book for fans to enjoy.

Drunk History

Alia Shawkat (Search Party, Arrested Development), and Aubrey Plaza (Happiest Season, Parks and Recreation) as guests on Drunk History.

Comedy Central’s show, Drunk History is being cancelled. The series involved drunken re-tellings of lesser-known historical moments and often featured celebrity guests as historical figured. Despite a seventh season being confirmed and underway, the pandemic struck and production was permanently shut down. Don’t worry, there’s still the Australian version.

Glow

Much like Drunk History, Netflix’s 80s Women’s Wrestling dramedy Glow‘s fourth season’s pre-production was steaming ahead when it was cancelled due to safety concerns caused by COVID-19.

While many fans were glad that the cast and crew were still paid for their labour, most would have been happy to wait a few years for the fourth season. But instead, they had to say goodbye forever.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity (ABC)

Based on the popular book and film by the same name, the High Fidelity TV series starred Zoe Kravitz as the iconic chronically broken-hearted record shop owner, Rob. This show was cancelled pre-pandemic.

So, I guess we just have to blame people’s lack of taste for not watching Bisexual Zoe Kravitz intimately mourn her past relationship failures by chatting to the camera, and her hilarious hipster music friends shenanigans for us not having more of this fresh adaptation. You can still catch it on ABC iView, though.

I Am Not Okay With This

From the producers and directors who brought you Stranger Things, and The End of The Fucking World came I Am Not Okay With This.

The Netflix series was based on a comic about a queer teen girl with Carrie-like telekinesis abilities coming of age in a small town. Visually it was a homage to the teen horror flicks of the 80s and had a lot of fun with it without getting bogged down in nostalgia. Starring Sophia Lilis, the series was originally renewed for a second season, but Netflix reversed the decision because, you guessed it, COVID. Boo.

Next In Fashion

Next In Fashion (Netflix

Next In Fashion was a fashion designer contest hosted by one-fifth of the Fab Five, Tan France and former model Alexa Chung. Each episode saw the 18 contestants put through their designing paces with a fashion challenge based on global trends. It was a deeply wholesome, soothingly creative reality show.

Alas, it was not renewed for a second season, despite the sheer amount of dopamine it provided me.

One Day At A Time

The groundbreaking Latinx family sitcom originally was a Netflix original until Netflix cancelled it after three seasons. One Day At A Time was then picked up by Pop Network, but its second life was short-lived. What’s more, it does not look like the Alvarezs will be finding a third home.

 

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The Order

The Order (Netflix)

Like a lot of the shows on this list, The Order was originally given the green light for a second season. But complications caused by Miss Covid caused Netflix to reverse the decision, and cancel The Order after just a single season. Guess we’ll never know that cliffhanger’s resolution, huh?

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

Arguably, one of the more devastating cancellations this year, Patriot Act was a unique informative weekly stand-up show on Netflix. Each week stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj would dissect complex local issues, explaining how they were connected to global issues with a righteously angry comedic edge. Patriot Act was a show we desperately continue to need in such globally uncertain times.

Not according to Netflix, apparently. Boo.

Run

Run (HBO/Foxtel)

Produced by and starring Fleabag‘s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and created by Vicky Jones, Run was hands down the horniest show of 2020. Run starred Domhnall Gleeson and Meritt Weaver as ex-lovers who abandon their lives to fulfil a reckless pact from their youth. The pact? The two must drop their lives and meet on a train to travel across the country together. Despite Jones having many ideas about how the series could continue, HBO cancelled Run after its first season.

Turn Up Charlie

Turn Up Charlie (Netflix)

The wholesome Netflix comedy created by Idris Elba starred himself as a perpetual bachelor DJ whose life is flipped on its head when he becomes a ‘manny’ to his rich friend’s daughter. Elba based much of the comedy on his own experiences as a London DJ. Turn Up Charlie was mostly a pretty harmless, heart-warming passion project for Elba that was nevertheless a joy to watch. A shame to see it go.

I don’t know about anyone else, but sometimes I feel as though the universe cursed me to almost exclusively love shows doomed for cancellation. Anyway, here’s to you cancelled TV of 2020. May you be remade or revamped, or remembered with bittersweet fondness.

Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out her podcast, GayV Club where she gushes about LGBT rep in media with her best friend. Either way, she hopes you ate something nice today.