While cancellations are common on network television, these TV shows are unfortunately coming to an end this month. May 2024 marks the conclusion of several beloved series, some of which have been staples on our screens for years, while others are relatively new but have still managed to capture the hearts of many. The reasons behind these cancellations vary, from network budget cuts and scheduling conflicts to creative decisions and the natural progression of a show’s storyline.

Regardless of the cause, saying goodbye to a favorite series can be an emotional experience, as viewers have invested time and energy into following the lives of the characters they have grown to love. As the final episodes air, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the impact these shows have had on the television landscape and the memories they have created for those who have faithfully tuned in each week. While it’s always difficult to see a series end, the conclusion of these shows also makes room for new and exciting programming to take their place.

9

NCIS: Hawai’i’ (2021-2024)

Series finale aired May 6

The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i came as a result of budget cuts at CBS, which coincided with industry strikes during the negotiations for a potential fourth season. The police procedural drama, a spinoff of the long-running NCIS franchise, followed a team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as they investigated crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Despite its connection to the successful franchise, NCIS: Hawai’i was not among the series that managed to secure renewals during this period of financial restructuring at the network.

The series finale of NCIS: Hawai’i aired on May 6, 2023, concluding its three-season run. The show, which premiered in 2021, had its storylines wrapped up in the final episodes of the third season, as a fourth season was no longer on the table due to the aforementioned budget cuts. While many are disappointed that NCIS: Hawai’i’ was canceled before a fourth season could happen, the decision to end NCIS: Hawai’i’ ultimately came down to financial considerations, leaving fans to bid farewell to the characters they had grown to love over the course of three seasons.

8

Bob Hearts Abishola (2019-2024)

Series finale aired May 6

The CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola concluded its four-season run with a series finale that aired on May 6, 2023. The show, which premiered in 2019, followed the unlikely romance between Bob Wheeler, a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit, and Abishola Adebambo, a Nigerian nurse who cared for him after he suffered a heart attack. Despite creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre’s belief that the show still had more stories to tell, the decision to end the series was not his choice.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lorre expressed his disappointment with the show’s cancellation, stating that budgetary issues and low ratings played a role in CBS’s decision to end the series after four seasons. As a result of these factors, many of the series regulars were let go for the final season, signaling the network’s intention to conclude the show’s run. While the ending of Bob Hearts Abishola was planned by the network, it was not the outcome Lorre had hoped for, as he felt the show had more potential for future storylines.

7

Call Me Kat (2021-2024)

Series finale aired May 6

Call Me Kat is a Fox sitcom starring Mayim Bialik, and it concluded its third season with a series finale that aired on May 6, 2023. The episode focused on the relationship between Kat and her on-again, off-again love interest, Max, who received a career-changing opportunity to serve as the opening act for country music star Russell Dickerson. Despite the potential strain on their relationship, Kat encouraged Max to pursue his dreams, assuring him that they would find a way to make things work upon his return.

The finale left viewers with a sense of hope for Kat and Max’s future, hinting at the possibility of a wedding in a potential fourth season. However, the show’s renewal remained uncertain due to its ratings challenges. Call Me Kat followed the journey of Kat, a 39-year-old woman who struggles against society’s expectations and her mother’s wishes to prove that happiness is possible on her own terms. The untimely cancellation of Call Me Kat left fans to speculate about the future of the characters and the show itself.

6

So Help Me Todd (2022-2024)

Series finale aired May 16

CBS’s legal drama So Help Me Todd, which debuted in 2022, ended its run with a series finale that aired on May 16, 2023. The show followed the story of Todd Wright, a talented but directionless private detective who begrudgingly agrees to work as an in-house investigator at his mother’s successful law firm. Despite its impressive viewership, averaging 7.7 million viewers per episode, the network made the decision to cancel the series after just two seasons.

The cancellation of So Help Me Todd was attributed to CBS’s overly packed schedule, leaving insufficient room for the show to continue into a third season. Unfortunately, the series finale ended on a cliffhanger that was intended to be resolved in a potential third season. This unexpected conclusion left an unsatisfying resolution to the show’s ongoing storylines, as the cancellation decision had not been anticipated by the show’s creative team.

5

Young Sheldon (2017-2024)

Series finale aired May 16

The popular CBS sitcom Young Sheldon, a prequel to the hit series The Big Bang Theory, concluded its seven-season run with a series finale that aired on May 16, 2024. The show, which premiered in 2017, chronicled the early life of Sheldon Cooper, a young genius navigating high school and family life in East Texas. Producer Steve Holland believed that ending the series when Sheldon turns 14 and heads to Cal Tech was the most appropriate time to wrap up the character’s story.

Holland expressed his desire to “end strong while it was on top,” ensuring that the show’s conclusion would be satisfying for its devoted fanbase (via Yahoo News). However, the story of the Cooper family is set to continue beyond both Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory, with a planned spinoff series focusing on Sheldon’s older brother Georgie, played by Montana Jordan, and his wife Mandy, portrayed by Emily Osment. This new series will allow fans to further explore the lives of these beloved characters, even as Young Sheldon comes to an end.

4

CSI: Vegas (2021-2024)

Series finale aired May 19

CSI: Vegas, a spinoff of the long-running crime drama franchise CSI, met an unexpected end with its series finale airing on May 19, 2023. Premiering in 2021, the show followed a team of forensic investigators working to solve complex crimes in Las Vegas. Despite its impressive viewership, averaging around 7.6 million viewers per episode, CBS ultimately decided not to renew the series for another season.

The network cited an already-packed schedule as the primary reason for CSI: Vegas‘s cancellation, with insufficient room to accommodate the show’s return. This decision came as a surprise to many, given the enduring popularity of the CSI franchise and its numerous successful spinoffs. As a result, the series finale in May served as an abrupt conclusion to the show’s run, leaving the Vegas team’s story to come to a close earlier than anticipated.

3

Evil (2019-2024)

Series finale ended May 23

Evil, the supernatural drama series that captivated audiences with its blend of mystery and horror, concluded its four-season run with a series finale that aired on May 23, 2024. The show, which premiered on CBS in 2019 before moving to Paramount Plus for its second season, followed a skeptical forensic psychologist, a Catholic seminarian, and a technology contractor as they investigated unexplained phenomena. However, the decision to end Evil was not a creative choice but rather a result of Paramount Plus’s cost-cutting measures.

In February 2024, series star Katja Herbers took to social media to announce the show’s cancellation, expressing the cast’s disappointment and sadness at the news. Herbers even playfully reached out to Netflix, suggesting that the competing streaming platform could save the series. Despite this public appeal, it appears that Netflix did not take up the offer, leaving Evil to conclude its story with its fourth and final season on Paramount Plus.

2

The Good Doctor (2017-2024)

Series finale aired May 24

The Good Doctor, the ABC medical drama that captivated audiences for six seasons, concluded its run with a series finale that aired on May 24, 2023. The show, which premiered in 2017, followed the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, as he navigated the challenges of his personal and professional life at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Despite its popularity and dedicated fanbase, the series was unexpectedly canceled in February 2023, leaving fans to say goodbye to their beloved characters earlier than anticipated.

During the Television Critics Association press tour, showrunner David Shore provided insight into the reasons behind the show’s cancellation. He explained that the decision was influenced by the direction the story had been taking, as well as a surprising call from the network confirming the series’ end (via TV Guide). While the cancellation may have come as a shock, the series finale of The Good Doctor aimed to provide a satisfying conclusion to the characters’ arcs and the overall narrative.

1

Station 19 (2018-2024)

Series finale airs May 30

Station 19 will conclude its run with a series finale set to air on May 30, 2023. The show detailed the lives of the firefighters and paramedics at Seattle Fire Station 19 as they faced high-stakes emergencies and navigated complex personal relationships. A spinoff of the hit series Grey’s Anatomy, the decision to end Station 19 came as a surprise to many.

The cancellation of Station 19 was part of a larger cost-saving strategy implemented by ABC, as the network shifts its focus from scripted programming to a more balanced mix of reality shows and sports content. This unexpected move left fans reeling, as they prepared to say goodbye to the beloved characters and the adrenaline-fueled world of Station 19. As the series finale approaches, viewers eagerly anticipate the resolution of ongoing storylines and the opportunity to bid farewell to the brave men and women of Seattle’s Fire Station 19.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Yahoo News, TV Guide