10 Forgotten TV Shows That Deserve Another Chance

Audiences in search of quality content should look to forgotten TV shows that deserve another chance. Indeed, shows that have been buried under the deluge of new content aren’t necessarily forgettable. A variety of factors play a significant role in the fate of TV series, and many great shows that have been memory-holed deserve a second look from audiences and studios alike.

Many forgotten hit TV shows also deserve the chance to be rebooted, revived, or revamped – either to continue their prematurely ended plots or to calibrate the premise for modern viewers. Rediscovering these shows could provide insights into the diverse range of television content that may have been underappreciated in the past. As many of these shows are arguably better than some of the most popular series in the streaming age, they could also be exactly what’s missing from the rosters of modern networks today. For viewers tired of the latest series tropes, great but forgotten TV shows could ironically offer fresher perspectives and plots.

10 The Black Donnellys (2007)

Canceled after 1 season due to low ratings and viewership

• Release Date: 2007-02-26
• Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Tom Guiry, Olivia Wilde
• Genre: Crime, Drama
• Seasons: 1

One of the best crime shows for Top Boy fans, The Black Donnellys faced low viewership despite its initial potential and positive critical reviews. The Black Donnellys follows four Irish brothers navigating the gritty underworld of New York City. Their involvement in criminal activities leads to betrayal, violence, and moral dilemmas, exploring themes of loyalty and family from the lens of organized crime. A deep and dark dive into the unseen workings of the working-class neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, The Black Donnellys deserves a second look today for its well-developed characters and compelling narrative revolving around the Irish Mob.

9 FlashForward (2009 – 2010)

Canceled after 1 season due to low ratings and viewership

FlashForward centers on a global event where everyone experiences a blackout and sees glimpses of their future. The series explores the aftermath as characters grapple with destiny and the consequences of prescient knowledge. Despite its intriguing premise and strong start, the show was wrongly placed in a time slot typically reserved for family-friendly affair, leading to its cancelation after its highly promising debut season. It ended with revelations about the blackout’s origins, leaving some questions unanswered. FlashForward deserves another chance to continue its story, especially after it ended with another blackout and visions that stretch even further into the future.

8 Vanished (2006)

Canceled after 1 season due to low ratings and viewership

• Release Date: 2006-08-21
• Cast: Gale Harold, Ming-Na Wen, Rebecca Gayheart
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• Seasons: 1

Vanished revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the wife of a senator, unfolding a criminal conspiracy involving the elite underworld. The show kept viewers guessing as it revealed layers of deception and intrigue. Unfortunately, it was canceled after one season, leaving some plot lines unresolved. With the ending hinting at a broader conspiracy, Vanished deserves a chance to continue its intricate plot twists, suspenseful storytelling, and engaging character development. Considering the modern resurgence of interest in the mystery and conspiracy genres, a revisit to Vanished could find a new audience intrigued by its unsolved crimes.

7 The Get Down (2016 – 2017)

Canceled after 1 season due to low ratings and budgetary reasons

A popular TV show that got canceled anyway, The Get Down‘s viewership wasn’t enough to justify its sizable budget, and it got axed after just one season. It’s a pity because the musical drama is a brilliant alternate history of the roots of contemporary hip-hop. Focused on the four teenagers from the Bronx who would become the legendary Get Down Brothers, The Get Down remixes ’70s New York history to tackle the real-world origins of the core art forms that comprise hip-hop culture. The Get Down deserves a chance to further explore its alternative world and show modern viewers its unique perspective on the decades that followed.

6 Inside Job (2021)

Canceled after 1 season for officially undetermined reasons

• Release Date: 2021-10-22
• Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Christian Slater, Clark Duke
• Genre: Animated Comedy, Conspiracy Fiction
• Seasons: 1

A workplace dark comedy centered around one of the six secret organizations that run the planet, Inside Job was so popular after it debuted that it was immediately renewed for a second season. Yet, the show was abruptly canceled after season 1. Considering how Inside Job ended with the introduction of a fresh new conspiracy – Project X37 – it definitely needs a continuation. Combined with the show’s success and enduring popularity, Inside Job deserves a chance to answer its core mysteries. Though its home network Netflix never fully disclosed why Inside Job got canceled, it’s likely due to the show’s commercial potential failing to match its animation budget.

5 Stalker (2014 – 2015)

Canceled after 1 season due to low ratings and viewership

• Release Date: 2014-10-01
• Cast: Dylan McDermott, Maggie Q, Victor Rasuk
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• Seasons: 1

The police procedural series Stalker began by garnering a decent viewership, which unfortunately dwindled during the debut season, which ultimately led to it being canceled. The show follows the LAPD’s Threat Assessment Unit as they investigate stalking cases in Los Angeles, delving into the psychological toll on both victims and detectives dealing with this disturbing crime. The series ended with a case that brought closure to the main characters but hinted at ongoing challenges. For its intense atmosphere, gripping narratives, and the exploration of a dark and underrepresented aspect of crime, Stalker deserves another chance to disturb modern audiences.

4 GLOW (2017 – 2019)

Canceled after 3 seasons due to the COVID-19 shutdown

The reason why GLOW was canceled boils down to terrible timing. Based on the syndicated Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling circuit that rose in the ’80s, GLOW cultivated a growing viewership for 3 seasons. However, its relatively decent success wasn’t enough to keep it going when the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed nearly all aspects of the entertainment industry. While the ending of GLOW provided closure, it not only lacked a definitive conclusion for certain characters, but also set up promising new directions for each of their careers. GLOW deserves another chance for its empowering narratives, strong character development, and its unique alternative history.

3 Space Force (2020 – 2022)

Canceled after 2 seasons due to low ratings and viewership

Based on the real space service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, Space Force is a workplace comedy that satirizes government bureaucracy and internal politics. This premise was more than enough to hold audience interest for Space Force‘s first season – but the second and last seasons unfortunately failed to do the same. What’s regrettable is how Space Force ended on a world-ending cliffhanger and was taking a promising trajectory when it was canceled for being unsuccessful. The bold, high-stakes setup for Space Force season 3 still deserves a chance to save the show’s legacy.

2 I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

Canceled after 1 season officially due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

The darkly comedic coming-of-age series I Am Not Okay With This follows Sydney, a teenage girl dealing with the complexities of high school while discovering she has telekinetic powers. The first season ends with a cliffhanger, revealing Sydney’s explosive abilities and leaving audiences with more questions. Unfortunately, I Am Not Okay With This was canceled before season 2, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. I Am Not Okay With This deserves another chance because of its unique blend of coming-of-age drama and supernatural elements. The unresolved storyline, strong performances by the cast, and what the show did for LGBTQ representation make it a compelling candidate for revival.

1 Counterpart (2017 – 2019)

Canceled after 2 seasons due to being unaligned with network strategy

• Release Date: 2017-12-10
• Cast: J.K. Simmons, Olivia Williams, Harry Lloyd
• Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
• Seasons: 2

According to Starz COO Jeffrey Hirsch, the reason for Counterpart‘s cancelation is that it was “a very male show,” which didn’t merge well with the network’s “premium female strategy.” (via Cinema Blend) Focused on Howard Silk, a mild-mannered UN employee, who discovers a gateway to a parallel dimension, Counterpart explores espionage and the fleeting nature of identity. Unfortunately, it ended after two seasons, concluding with a tense moment that left many questions unanswered. Counterpart deserves another chance due to its intricate plot, stellar dual performance by J.K. Simmons, and its unique exploration of multiverse theory – an increasingly popular concept in contemporary sci-fi.