There are many reasons why a television series might get canceled. For example, cast controversies, unfavorable reviews, or simply networks needing to make space for new shows. If a series does not meet the expectations of the people who made them, it can disappear after a few episodes. More commonly, though, they will probably not be renewed for any additional seasons.
HBO Max Series That Got Canceled
The following is a list of series where production has stopped, and no future episodes are to be made (at least for the time being) – and why they were axed in the first place.
Gomorrah
This Italian crime drama has come to an end after five successful seasons. The creators, however, all agreed it was for the best. When they arrived at the season-ending event, they thought it was a good idea to finish instead of perpetuating the material. If you loved this show, though, don’t worry: Writer Maddalena Ravagli has hinted at a possible return to follow the Camorra in the 70s.
Close Enough
Close Enough was a three-season animated sitcom and although the show received positive reviews, it has already been removed from HBO Max. The series, which has been deemed “completely absurd and yet, utterly relatable,” followed a couple in their early 30s and explored the experience of ‘being an adult’.
South Side
This comedy series, which follows two friends who’ve just graduated from community college, was shot on location in the South Side, or Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. HBO decided not to move forward with a fourth season. We’re not sure why.
FBoy Island
FBoy Island only lasted two seasons. Apparently, the series had produced redundancies that were not compatible with Zaslav’s (Warner Bros’ CEO) cost-cutting plans. It seems host Nikki Glaser will have to look for a new project!
Legendary
It seems the end of Legendary also has to do with Zaslav’s strategy and the Warner Bros Discovery merger. This competition series, which featured amazing voguing, was seemingly too expensive to continue on. So, after three inclusive seasons that were widely praised by GLAAD, the show has sadly been terminated.
Gordita Chronicles
Gordita Chronicles is the series that has lasted the shortest time for 2022/23, and producer Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz is not happy about it. The show, which followed a daily leaving Santo Domingo for Miami in the 80s, was axed only a month after it premiered. Brutal.
Pennyworth
Pennyworth, the origin of Batman’s butler, has shut production, too. It seems that, even when it had three good seasons, we will not learn the origin of beloved Alfred. The reason for the move? Apparently, the DC universe is going in a new direction – which explains why Titans and Doom Patrol were ending, too.
Love Life
The last canceled series to make our list is Love Life, a rom-com anthology that had two (in our opinion) pretty strong seasons – the first following Anna Kendrick’s Derby Carter and the second William Jackson Harper’s Marcus Watkins. The creators were honestly disheartened but understood HBO Max’s decision as, according to Harper, “it’s a business […] hopefully, someone will pick it up, and it will have another life somewhere else.”
