It’s natural for fans of a TV show to want more episodes after its ending, but many popular series are unlikely to ever be revived. There’s a tendency to want additional closure after a beloved series comes to a close, but continuations don’t always work out. Whether it’s because there’s nowhere left to take a story, its characters have all perished, or the writers and actors have moved on, revivals aren’t always possible.
In many cases, revivals aren’t beneficial either. Sometimes, returning to a series can hurt the original narrative, as it will undo the emotional impact of its ending. In other cases, it would be outright ridiculous to continue a story after what happens in its finale. These things are true of many recently ended shows, so they’re unlikely to see revivals in the future.
10 Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
There’s No One Left To Follow
Better Call Saul masterfully continued the story told in Breaking Bad, digging into the background of the infamous Saul Goodman and using that narrative to reveal what happened after the original show. Sadly, Saul Goodman’s fate after the events of Breaking Bad is bleak. Although he gets away with working at Cinnabon under a new identity for a little while, he’s eventually caught. Better Call Saul season 6 confirms that its lead will spend his life in prison, so there’d be little reason to revive the show. Everyone important to its narrative is either dead, in prison, or out of the game.
9 Succession (2018-2023)
Jesse Armstrong Isn’t Interested
Succession is another show that ended on its own terms and in a decisive enough way that it doesn’t need to return. The series finale, which aired in May 2023, revealed who would succeed Logan Roy as CEO of Waystar Royco — and a Succession revival is unlikely to top that particular reveal. Additionally, the Roy siblings ended the show right back where they started. It was the perfect conclusion to their character arcs, and there wouldn’t be a point in digging the drama back up. Jesse Armstrong also doesn’t seem interested in returning to their story, something he told the BBC during an interview.
8 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
The 99th Precinct Won’t Be The Same
Brooklyn Nine-Nine was a hit when it first debuted in 2013, but the series grew stale over time — and it would be impossible to revive for reasons beyond that. For one, it’s incredibly difficult to imagine the series returning without Andre Braugher’s Captain Holt. Unfortunately, Braugher’s death in 2023 means Brooklyn Nine-Nine would never have its whole cast back on-screen. By the time the final season rolls around, several characters also leave the 99th Precinct. While they vow to continue their Halloween Heist, a revival wouldn’t be able to show the day-to-day interactions of the gang, as they no longer work together.
7 Lucifer (2016-2021)
Tom Ellis Needs A Reason To Return (& There Isn’t One)
Lucifer was canceled and brought back twice before ending in 2021, and the series is unlikely to get another chance on the small screen. Plus, Lucifer season 6 gives the characters a proper and definitive send-off. The series finale reveals the titular devil’s fate — giving therapy to those in Hell so they can escape their Hell loops — and separates him from Chloe Decker and their child for the remainder of her mortal life. It was a bittersweet and emotional ending, and reviving the show would undo its impact. Even Tom Ellis recently admitted he wouldn’t want to do a revival unless there was a good reason for it.
6 Killing Eve (2018-2022)
The Show’s Ending Upset Fans & Made A Revival Impossible
Killing Eve had a divisive ending, but it’s one that would be difficult to undo for the sake of a revival. Although many Killing Eve fans would love to see Eve and Villanelle get a happier conclusion, the latter’s death makes any chance of revisiting the show impossible. There’s no way to come back from being shot and sinking, and it’s unlikely any continuation of Killing Eve would work without Villanelle. That’s not to mention that many fans’ opinions of the show have soured after its use of the “bury your gays” trope. Needless to say, it probably won’t get a comeback.
5 Barry (2018-2023)
The HBO Series’ Finale Makes A Revival Impossible
Barry is another TV series that ends in tragedy, as its 2023 finale brings Bill Hader’s title character to a place it’s impossible to come back from. It’s hard to envision a revival without the lead character present, even if there are supporting characters that could carry its legacy. It’s more likely they’d do so through spinoffs, as Barry must be about its namesake. Since that narrative is over, there’d be no point in returning to the HBO series.
4 The 100 (2014-2020)
Would Have To Retcon Season 7
The 100 is a series that was initially supposed to get a spinoff, but Second Dawn never came to fruition. The 100 prequel was canceled, and both the original series and its almost-spinoff haven’t received much attention as of late. Given that The CW didn’t want to focus on continuing the show through spinoffs, it’s unlikely it would revisit the first series. That’s not to mention that most of The 100 cast have moved on, and the show had a definitive ending. Most of humanity transcended, while Clarke and her friends lived the rest of their years on Earth. There’d be no way to continue from here — at least not without retconning season 7.
3 This Is Us (2016-2022)
There’s Nothing Left To Cover
This Is Us season 6 brought the bittersweet story of the Pearson family to a close. And while the This Is Us cast seems game to return, it’s hard to imagine how a revival of this NBC series would work. The show covers multiple timelines, showcasing the early romance of Jack and Rebecca, the years after they had kids, and the future timeline during which Rebecca is dying. The final episodes see Rebecca finally moving on, and they offer satisfying conclusions for each of the Pearson kids. It seems unlikely any continuation of this would work, as it would risk ruining a near-perfect ending.
2 Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
The Rose Family Can’t Take The Same Journey Twice
Schitt’s Creek is another show with an almost perfect conclusion, and a revival just wouldn’t be able to capture the magic of the original six seasons. The comedy series sees the once-wealthy Rose family moving into a motel in the small town of Schitt’s Creek after losing all their money — and despite a rocky start, they grow to love the place before finally moving on. Their growth leading up to the final season would make a Schitt’s Creek revival less interesting, as they wouldn’t be able to go on the same journey twice. While a quick reunion or holiday episode could potentially work, a full-on revival just wouldn’t.
1 Attack On Titan (2013-2023)
The Anime Has A Definitive Ending
Anime hit Attack on Titan came to an end in 2023, and while there are ways to continue the story, they probably won’t happen. The finale gives all of the main characters definitive endings, and it offers a glimpse into their futures. With that in mind, there’s no way to return to the original Attack on Titan characters. The show could do a sequel, as the credits imply that the cycle of violence will continue. However, even this would feel stale, as it would simply repeat the story told in the original show. With no source material to draw from and few original places to go, Attack on Titan is probably not getting a revival.
