10 great TV shows that ended prematurely

Some TV shows are so “multi-episode” that it will take weeks or even months to watch them.

For example, Criminal Minds, a procedural about FBI profilers, was recently renewed for season 15, which, although it will be the last, is still an impressive figure.

For more than 300 episodes, agents have been catching serial killers, which bothered even the devoted fans of the project, as stories began to repeat themselves, and the plot is often sucked out of thin air and stupid.

At the same time, there are a huge number of series that were closed after 1-2 seasons, and in some the story simply breaks off “at the most interesting place.”

The longevity of some and the untimely death of others are due to ratings, the policy of the party (more precisely, the channel) and a host of other reasons, so we will not delve into this.

Better remember (although for some this will be the first acquaintance) 10 great TV series that were closed too soon.

10 “Firefly” (1 season) | 2002

The fantasy western about space smugglers was created by Joss Whedon, whose track record included Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The relationship between the director, the film crew and the FOX channel somehow did not work out: the bosses demanded one or the other, making a lot of edits to the original script, and as a result, the project was closed after 11 episodes, although 14 were created.

The fans were indignant and demanded a continuation, but this did not happen: instead of new seasons, Universal Pictures and Whedon made the film “Serenity Mission”.

Rumors are swirling about a reboot of the series right now, so to anyone who remembers him, cross your fingers.

9. “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” (Season 2) | 2016-2017

If you have never heard of this series, and the name seems somehow strange – believe me, the series is also strange, but only in a positive way.

He talks about the work of detective Dirk Gently and his assistant, who investigate cases in an unusual way.

The series is good for many reasons: firstly, there is Elijah Wood (whom you still want to call Frodo Baggins), secondly, a non-trivial plot, humor, plot development and much more.

Alas, it seemed to the creators that 14 “holistic” episodes would be enough, with which the fans strongly disagree.

8. “Knickerbocker Hospital” (Season 2) | 2014-2015

It would seem that it is difficult to surprise anyone with series about doctors: it is difficult to compete with The Clinic, House M.D., so the Cinemax channel and director Steven Soderbergh decided to approach the topic from a different angle, showing the work of doctors from the beginning of the XNUMXth century.

Without instant analyzes and examinations, in conditions that are rather modest by today’s standards, doctors save lives while simultaneously solving their own problems.

The series received excellent reviews (rated on IMDb – 8.5) and a 3rd season was ordered, but it never came to production, which is a pity.

7. “Lie to Me” (Season 3) | 2009-2011

It may seem that 3 seasons is by no means a little, but still, we included the FOX show on this list for a reason.

The series about a group of people who reveal lies by gestures and facial expressions once again proved the genius of Tim Roth as an actor: watching Dr. Lightman in his performance is a real pleasure.

To some extent, his image is reminiscent of the already mentioned House: cynicism, ignoring the rules, humor, charm.

Three seasons for such a hero is not enough, especially if you take into account the non-banal theme of the project.

6. “Remember what will be” (Season 1) | 2009

All people on the planet simultaneously lost consciousness for exactly 137 seconds, and during this time about 20 million people died in disasters.

While everyone was off, everyone saw moments of the future, and everyone saw one day, which should come in six months, and if a person did not see anything, it means that during these 6 months he will die.

A specially created team of agents will have to figure out the causes of what happened and try to prevent a repeated mass shutdown.

The series started off very cheerfully, but by the middle it began to slide, but towards the end it returned to its previous level. The director planned to shoot 3 seasons, but ABC did not give him such an opportunity, although the series ended at the most interesting place.

5. “Eternity” (Season 1) | 2014

The protagonist is a brilliant, but closed and unfriendly medical examiner Henry Morgan, who has one secret: he is 236 years old. When he was killed in 1814, he came to life and since then, after each death, his body disappears and is reborn in the water.

In our time, he begins to help the police investigate murders, when he suddenly finds out that he is not the only immortal and there is at least one more. This unknown has lived for over 2 years, so it’s no surprise that he hardened and became a ruthless killer and manipulator.

In parallel with these main stories, the viewer observes flashbacks of Henry, telling about his life in different eras.

An interesting story, although it ended, the villain was defeated, but the ending remained open, giving the creators the opportunity to continue, even hinting at it. Why the series did not “shoot” and was closed is a mystery.

4. “New Amsterdam” (Season 1) | 2008

And another series about the immortal: John Amsterdam was born 400 years ago, although he still looks 35. In his “mortal” life, he was either cursed or blessed (how to look): an Indian girl made him immortal by an ancient ritual until until he meets his true love.

Over the centuries of wandering, John had many women, many of whom he sincerely loved, but with none of them did he begin to grow old.

Now he serves in the police and communicates closely only with his 65-year-old son, who is the only person who knows his secret (by the way, in “Eternity” the main character also has a retired son who knows the truth about his father).

An excellent idea, but the implementation failed: the plot is sluggish in places, the characters are “about nothing”. However, the young Nikolai Coster-Waldau is good in the title role, and the plot was not completed, so it was worth filming at least another season.

3. «Fart» (1 season) | 2011

For you to understand what level this series is, just one fact is enough – Oscar-winning Dustin Hoffman is in the lead role here.

The plot tells about the world of horse racing, scams, struggle, blackmail and much more.

This is the only project on our list that was closed due to a tragedy: at the very beginning of filming the second season, a horse died, which became already the 3rd, so HBO was forced to close the show.

2. “Almost Human” (Season 1) | 2013

Science fiction about the world of 2048, in which police officers are given androids as partners to fight crime.

Detective John Kennex (played by Karl Urban) hates these soulless machines, but he has to come to terms with the management’s decision.

Good acting, a twisted plot, good special effects and graphics by the standards of TV – in general, everything was on the level, but alas, it ended after 13 episodes.

1. “Dead Like Me” (Season 2) | 2003-2004

A young girl, Georgia, dies absurdly: she is killed by a toilet seat that has fallen from a space station.

After death, she discovers that this is not the end, and falls into the ranks of the “reapers” who collect the souls of people before death.

A funny, sometimes dark comedy-drama was created by Bryan Fuller for Showtime, but due to controversy, he had to leave after only 5 episodes. Without him, in light of the ongoing conflicts between the crew and the studio, the series was doomed.