Epic Sci-Fi Shows Canceled Before Their Time
There are times when shows are pulled well before their time, and often it happens on the Syfy channel. Here are the greatest sci-fi shows that were canceled or pulled way too soon. We're still having withdrawals! Are you, too?
Firefly
First up is the Syfy TV show Firefly, the western space drama set in the year 2517 that followed the stellar adventures of the Serenity crew aboard the Firefly spacecraft. As the sole remaining group of pioneer people after the civil war that took place on their planet, the individuals attempt to create a life for themselves once China and the U.S.
Director Joss Whedon's pitch for the show described the series as, "Nine people looking into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things." Sadly, after low ratings, Firefly was canceled after eleven episodes of its 14-episode series were aired, but eventually spawned a spin-off film called Serenity in 2005 and still lives on through the Firefly comic books.
Alphas
Yet another Syfy series that ended too soon was the show Alphas that followed a group of superhumans called alphas that fought to defend the world against other alphas. Led by Dr. Lee Rosen, a brilliant neurologist and psychiatrist, the group investigated criminal cases together under the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
After an original decision to cancel the show, it was renewed for 13-episode second season in 2012. But, by 2013, the network had decided to kill it for good, leaving fans on a cliff-hanger of suspense for good despite its solid and consistent reviews by critics and viewers. Sadly, we will never know the Alpha's end story but we will always miss it.
Almost Human
The American sci-fi and crime drama Almost Human featured detective John Kennex with his robotic partner Darian that grew to be true partners regardless of their "biological" differences. After Kennex experienced a personal issue with the unforgiving nature of the android "species," it was difficult for him to accept Dorian as his partner.
But, he soon realized that the android had a personality and a uniqueness to him that set him apart from the instance he subconsciously related him to that resulted in the loss of his former partner and leg. Although the series received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Special and Visual Effects, it was canceled after its first season in 2014.
Pushing Daisies
This one is not your typical sci-fi show. The ABC series Pushing Daisies featured pie-maker Ned that possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life. After discovering his powers, Ned used them for good to solve murders with his previously deceased childhood crush, a private investigator and a co-worker and friend.
The shrewdly crafted "forensic fairy tale" proved to be something different and received 17 Primetime Emmy Award nominations (57 award nominations total) and a total of seven wins. The award-winning series only lasted 22 episodes in its two seasons and began airing in syndication in 2013; it was also voted first on Esquire's "TV Reboot Tournament" as most wanted to return to television by fans.
Jericho
Jericho took the concept of paranoia to the next level by creating an apocalyptic-like scenario mixed with modern day terrorism and it was perfection. With in-home terrorists setting off nuclear explosions in major cities across the nation, Jericho, Kansas' remaining tribe, does their best to survive the attacks and avoid exposure to the harmful and lethal radiation filling the streets.
Due to poor ratings, the show was supposed to be canceled after its first season, but a fan campaign swayed another seven-episode season before its actual end. In 2007, the series was voted #11 on TV Guide's Top Cult Shows Ever and a film to complete the series was discussed in 2009 but we have yet to see any announcements regarding the epic post-apocalyptic sequel.
Farscape
In the Australian-American sci-fi series Farscape, every aspiring astronaut's dreams of being cast into an alternate universe came true. After astronaut John Crichton is launched into a wormhole in the Milky Way galaxy, he is dropped into the spaceship Moya that is used as a prison by the Peacekeepers.
Accidentally causing the death of the spacecraft's pilot, Crichton makes trouble for himself as he attempts to make it back to his planet with the help of the crew seeking the same goal. The epic series lasted a total of four seasons until its final cliffhanger wrap-up in 2003. A possible web-series was discussed in 2007 and a film in 2014, that is apparently in development but in its early stages.
Angel
Famous sci-fi spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, was yet another brilliant product of Joss Whedon and lasted five seasons until its cancellation in 2004. Displaying the daily ordeals of Angel, a vampire with a cursed human soul that works as a private detective in LA during the day, the show's Twilight/Dexter-esqe plot had fans reeling for quite awhile.
As Angel would battle both demons and humans, the complexity of his purpose on the planet was well delivered and received, but still came to an inevitable end. Although fans thoroughly protested, WB decided to cancel the series after its fifth season and continued its legendary demon-hunting legacy through the comic book series Angel: After the Fall.
Star Trek: The Original Series
There is no one that would argue with the fact that Star Trek: The Original Series ended well before its time as it is still one of the most favored science fiction series of all time. Following the epic adventures of the USS Enterprise, the series was set in the Milky Way galaxy in the 2260s in an attempt to discover civilizations and seek out a new life in the far away galaxies.
Despite the cult-like following of the sci-fi show, NBC decided to cancel it after only three seasons issuing the statement, "You Star Trek fans have fought the "good fight," but the show has been canceled and there's nothing to be done now." No one understood the decision, but eventually, the show was brought back as Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Caprica
Based off of the mind-blowing sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica, Caprica functioned as a prequel to the destruction of Kobol colonies 58 years prior. Giving the audience and understanding when humanity first created the Cylons, Caprica features both the father and uncle of William Adama (the individual responsible for leading the fleet of the Twelve Colonies in Battlestar Galactica.
In quite the opposite environment of the starving and struggling Galactica, Caprica is shown as the "world intoxicated by success" before it all turns to ruin. The show was canceled in 2010 due to low ratings before airing the series finale and releasing on DVD in late 2010.
V
The 2009 series V, as a remake and sequel to the original 1983 series, told the story of seemingly friendly "visitors" inhabiting the Earth with sinister plans in motion. FBI counter-terrorism agent Erica Evans uncovers the species as pseudo-human and their plot to take over the human race.
Evans joins the resistance movement to battle the visitors until they win over the approval of the human race by curing diseases and even recruit the world's youth as spies without them knowing. Once news of the cancellation hit fans in 2011, fans initiated the "Project Alice" attempt to have the network renew the show on TNT and later on the CW.
Dollhouse
Another of Joss Whedon's brilliant sci-fi productions was Dollhouse, a series that portrayed an underground organization that ran establishments known as dollhouses that required the company of agents for, "various purposes, including heists,...encounters, assassinations and expert counsel."
Eliza Dushku played the role of Echo, an Active (or in other words, someone who was programmed by the organization with a certain personality and skills), who sought to find herself while working in the dollhouse after having her personal memory wiped clean (as all Actives do). Although critics agreed across the board that the show became better with age, it was canceled after just 2 seasons in 2009 and aired its last three episodes in January 2010.
Stargate Universe
Syfy's Stargate Universe (SGU) was a Canadian-American military sci-fi series that followed the adventures of a present-day team, led by Dr. Nicholas Rush, aboard the spaceship Destiny attempting to make it safely back to the planet Earth. Some called the series a mix between an "outer space Lost with patterns of Battlestar Galactica."
SGU was considered to be a "completely separate, third entity in the live-action Stargate franchise." Millions of light years from the planet, the crew discovers new galaxies and species while trying to survive the long journey back home. SGU, although its premise was well-received, only lasted two seasons as Syfy announced its cancellation in 2010.
Space: Above And Beyond
Set between the years of 2063 and 2064, Space: Above and Beyond focused on members of the Space Marines referred to as Wildcards that are stationed on the USS Saratoga space carrier.
The Wildcards are sent out to defend Earth's first solar colony that was attacked by an alien species called the Chigs, as we witness their military maturation from cadets to veterans. On top of this war, the Wildcards have to also battle the Silicates, human-like androids that were created to defeat the Marine troop. Although the series was set to last for five seasons, it was canceled after just one season due to low ratings regardless of its two Emmy Awards nominations.
The 4400
In the CBS science fiction series The 4400, a ball of energy deposits 4400 people in the Cascade Range that had all disappeared since 1946 that have not aged a bit since their abduction. Once the people appear, the Department of Homeland Security has to deal with them while a small number of the group start to develop paranormal abilities.
Eventually, we find out that the 4400 were not abducted by aliens, but by the future of humankind to "avert a catastrophe" and later in the seasons we see subgroups like the terrorist faction the Nova Group start to develop among the 4400. Although the four-season series received positive feedback, CBS decided to kill it in 2007.
Heroes
The four-season long NBC sci-fi, action thriller series Heroes sparked quite a following throughout its duration on the network, showcasing a group of humans that start to develop supernatural powers and join together against dark forces. Despite its record-breaking views in the first season as the highest rating for a drama that NBC had seen in five years, it was canceled after four seasons in 2010.
The series was both nominated and awarded with Emmys, Golden Globes, Peoples' Choice Awards, and even British Academy Television Awards during its four-year run. Fans were devastated, needless to say, when NBC decided to cancel due to a decline in ratings by the fourth year.
Terra Nova
Set in A.D. 2149, after a "temporal rift permitting (one-way) human transmission" is discovered in their 22nd-century time, the Shannon family joins a colony in the Cretaceous period.
Elisabeth, chosen to join Terra Nova based on her medical expertise, colonizes with her family in the era while another group of people called the "sixers" attempts to rob the time of all of its resources to bring back to 2149. After the first season had finished airing, Fox announced its cancellation and plan to continue the series on with Netflix, but, unfortunately, nothing ever came from the statement and Terra Nova became extinct.
Journeyman
NBC's sci-fi romance series Journeyman featured actor Kevin McKidd as Dan Vasser, a time-traveling San Francisco reporter that "jumps" time to help out an individual's destiny.
The "hobby" becomes problematic for Vasser with his wife, son and police detective younger brother, Jack, and things become even more complicated when he reconnects with his former fiancee who turns out to be a "jumper" as well. Although the series received positive feedback regarding both the love drama and innovative and matured plot, and it was initially set for a 13-episode season, it was canceled after its first season in April 2008.
Dark Angel
Fox's sci-fi thriller Dark Angel, starring Jessica Alba as Max, a genetically enhanced and gifted child that broke free from a covert military facility when she was younger, was a hit back in 2000.
As Max attempts to seek out her lost brothers and sisters from the facility in a post-apocalyptic Seattle, she constantly runs into trouble for which she is well prepared and handles with ease. Winning People's Choice Awards and rave reviews from critics, Alba lit up the stage with Cameron's vision, but after being moved to a less desirable slot time, Dark Angel started to lose viewers and eventually was canceled in 2002.
Invasion
The ABC sci-fi TV series Invasion featured the inhabiting of water-based creatures that took to the cloning process when collecting human bodies as a result of a massive hurricane's aftermath.
Based in a small Florida town, the show's timing was awful with the violent destruction of Hurricane Katrina following the show's release, which initiated ABC's cancellation of the show after just one season. Regardless of the fact that the show earned nominations for Best Network TV Seriesand Best Television Actor at the Saturn Awards, the fact that its topic was closely related to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina ended it before it really even started.
The Event
In a cool take on science fiction, NBC's The Event focused on a group of extraterrestrial individuals, some of whom had been captured by the government after their ship crashed in Alaska. Set in the time of World War II, the human-like aliens are scattered in both government facilities and among the public, known as the Sleepers, and their known existence begins to make the world feel uneasy.
President Martinez, after meeting the captors' leader, decides to release the 97 aliens into the world until an assassination is directed toward him that is beyond human measures. The series only made it one season, unfortunately, but it would have been awesome to see how the story really developed.
Blood Drive
Based in Los Angeles in the near future, Blood Drive was maybe a prediction of what life will be like soon on Earth. Water was a limited as oil, climate change kept the temperature at 115 degrees even when in the shade and it cost $60 dollars for a gallon of gas. The show had a promising start and even got an 84 percent on rotten tomatoes but the network cleared the air about the series.
“Unfortunately, your suspicions are correct. Syfy has canceled Blood Drive after one season. If this news makes you angry or sad, you’re not alone. I found out not too long ago, but have been trying to think of a way to tell you guys since I felt it was up to me to let the fans know,” series creator James Roland wrote on his blog.
Dark Matter
A show about a crew who wakes up on a spaceship from stasis with no memories of who they are or even how they ended up there. They were forced to work together to take on the challenges that awaited them at every corner. The show was based on a comic book by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm the news,” Mallozzi said Friday in a blog post. “To say that I’m incredibly disappointed would be an understatement… I just want to extend a heartfelt thanks to my amazing crew, my wonderful cast, and to all of you, our incredible fans. You all deserved better.”
The Mist
The Mist was a weird sci-fi that was based on a Stephen King novella. The show told a story about a creepy mist that smothers a small town bringing in new fears for the residents and putting their humanity to the test. They had to figure out how to survive the new terrifying threats.
The president of the network it was on (Spike) thought the show would last much longer when he was asked about prior to the cancellation. "In success, if this season on SPike goes well, we would pick it up for the next year, and season 2 will be on Paramount, Kevin Kay said. "We think it's got a lot of potential."
666 Park Avenue
Imagine a place where all your wildest dreams come true. Anything you have ever wanted including power, love, sex and wealth can all be yours when you stay at The Drake in New York. The only thing is, residents aren't aware they are making a deal with the devil. That is until a young couple is hiring to manage and they figure out something is aloof.
This show got the boot for a few reasons but the main one is due to the site One Million Moms. It's a conservative site that urged their readers to write to ABC to encourage them not to air it. “Let them also know you are prepared to join thousands of other voices in urging advertisers to place it on their ‘do not advertise’ list and consider pulling all ads from the ABC network in protest," was written on their site.
Aftermath
Civilization is coming to an apocalyptic end and the Copeland family must battle for survival in Aftermath. There are huge storms, earthquakes, meteor strikes and supernatural creatures as well. The Copeland family had a tough fight in front of them that's for sure.
"Star James Tupper broke the news that there would be no Aftermath season two, on Twitter," wrote Cindy McLennan. "Halfire Entertainment produced the post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama in association with Syfy and Canada’s Space channel. Anne Heche, Julia Sarah Stone, Taylor Hickson, and Levi Meaden also starred." Tupper wrote on Twitter, "So sad to report Aftermath will not be getting a second season. #sobummed."
Constantine
Here is another show that was based on a comic book called "Hellblazer", it was about a seasoned demon hunter, John Constantine. He had superior wit and a vast knowledge of dark arts. His soul was already headed to the underworld so he stopped fighting the good fight until events put him back into action.
"I loved Constantine," said David Goyer the executive producer. "In retrospect, I don’t think it should have been on NBC. I think it was the wrong channel and I’m sure they probably agree with that as well." This show was unlike any other show that was on NBC.
Containment
Containment was about a deadly epidemic breaking out in Atlanta which causes for a huge quarantine that forces those who are stuck inside to fight for their lives. Officials frantically search for a cure while policeman Lex Carnahan tries to keep the peace in the streets.
"The show only averaged 1.8 million viewers and a 0.6 among adults 18-49," wrote Entertainment Weekly. "Containment was sometimes billed as a limited series. But like other high-concept broadcast dramas started with the short-run premise — like CBS’ Under the Dome and Fox’s Wayward Pines — Containment had an easily expandable format — if the show were a success."
Do No Harm
If Jehkle and Hyde had more erotic influences then this would be the show. Do No Harm is about a highly talented neurosurgeon who seemingly has it all. Except for one thing, he also has this curse of becoming a completely different person. He becomes seductive and devious and a borderline sociopath. Dr. Jason Cole tries to defeat this evil within by concocting a serum that suppresses this evil but one-day immunity is formed.
The widely panned medical series from creator David Schulner was a modern update of Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It opened to just a 0.9 rating in the adults 18-49 demo and 3.1 million viewers, then dipped even lower in week two to a 0.7 demo rating.
Eureka
President Harry S. Truman had the help of some of the brightest individuals in the world like Albert Einstein, create a super secret residential area in the Pacific Northwest where people would have the best of everything. This included the best schools, healthcare and amenities. It was a working supportive environment.
“We are the network’s golden child in every way, except profit margins," said co-producer Amy Berg. "Fact is, Eureka is an expensive show to make. And we could not maintain the quality of our show with the cuts it would take to make us profitable for Syfy’s new parent company.”
The Neighbors
When family man Marty Weaver moves his family to Hidden Hills, New Jersey, he is convinced that it will be a dream come true. He just wants whats best for his wife and kids. Once they move in and meet the neighbors, he finds out things are not what they seem. They all are named after famous athletes and Larry Bird called himself the "leader" of the community. It turned out they were all aliens from another planet.
"After a first season of mediocre ratings, the series could have been canceled," wrote Trevor Kimball. "However, ABC decided to stick with it and scheduled it on Friday nights. Expectations on Fridays are lower but The Neighbors’ ratings ended up being too low for a third season renewal."
The Returned
This series focused on a small town that gets invaded by several people who were thought to be dead, start to reappear. They carry with them positive and harmful consequences. Strange phenomena start to take place as families are one again and emotional stress sets in.
"The show was axed after receiving less than impressive ratings, according to Deadline," wrote Entertainment Weekly. "The Returned debuted with a solid 1.5 million viewers, but the ratings quickly declined. By the finale's airing, there were less than a million people watching, and the show was barely retaining half of the Bates Motel audiences."
Sense8
This show was one of Netflix's more popular series. Although it didn't match up to Stranger Things or House of Cards, it still had a solid and happy fan base. The fans were not so happy when Netflix announced the show would be canceled in mid-2017. It had a great two season run but it got the can due to money issues.
"They did a beautiful show," said Sarandos at the Producers Guild of America's Produced By conference (via The Hollywood Reporter). "The audience was very passionate, but not large enough to support the economics of something that big, even on our platform."
Intruders
This show had only one season but the premise behind it was a good one and it featured Stranger Things star, Millie Brown (11). The show is about a secret society who seek to reach immortality by occupying the bodies of other people. Many strange plot lines begin to take place that end up changing the understanding of human nature.
The executive producer Glen Morgan took to Twitter to announce the cancellation. "Well, Reverti, this life is over. Intruders will live only in 8 episodes. We can't thank those that supported us enough... #Intruders such an intelligent audience willing to be challenged and face tough questions. Hope we will all be triggered in 9 years. What goes around, comes around. #Intruders. Thank you! 9!"
Hunters
This series was inspired by Whitley Strieber's novel, "Alien Hunter", where an FBI agent's wife takes him to a secret government unit that was formed to dismantle savage terrorists who may not be from this world at all. The show had Terminator vibes to it.
Writing for Variety in April, Brian Lowry said the series premiere “utterly generic, conceptually cynical and instantly forgettable.” He added that the show “feels completely disposable, having likely found its way to Syfy because this shot-in-Australia drama was a relative bargain."
Extant
A science fiction series starring the beautiful Halle Balle would never be canceled so early would it? She did do a fantastic job at playing a supernatural mutant in X-Men (Storm) so it's fitting she takes her talents into space in this series Extant. However, when she comes back home after a year-long stint in orbit, things aren't the same thanks to what she experienced out there.
“CBS, Halle Berry and the producers have decided to conclude the Extant story after last season’s exciting and fitting conclusion,” said Glenn Geller, President of CBS Entertainment. “Extant played an important role in expanding CBS’ lineup of original scripted programming in the summer." The show only lasted two seasons.
Forever
This series is about a man on a mission. Doctor Henry Morgan is the biggest medical examiner in all of New York City but he has one secret. He doesn't just examine the dead for criminal cases, he also is trying to solve a 200-year question. Why is he immortal? After being alive for so long he has developed a ton of remarkable skills.
"I knew the numbers hadn't been great, but I also knew the studio and the network both loved the show, and of course that it had an incredible fan base…so I thought we were in with a pretty good chance," star Ion Gruffudd wrote on his Instagram. "But sadly no, this time the cards weren't dealt in our favor. Show business is like that. Hell, life is like that. You ride to the top of the wave and then you come crashing down again."
Dominion
If supernatural beings and a futuristic setting is your speed then this show would have been great for you. The show is based 25 years after a war between mankind and angels takes place and the archangel Michael switches sides, deciding to be on the human's side.
“Led by Vaun Wilmott, the talented cast, producers, writers and crew of Dominion have done a tremendous job bringing this ambitious, cinematic series to the screen over the past two seasons. We thank them, as well as our producing partners Universal Cable Productions, Bold Films and Film Afrika,” Syfy said in a statement.
The Tomorrow People
They were supposed to be the future of mankind being born with special abilities but clearly, one season was enough for this Syfy. When teenager Stephen Jameson starts teleporting in his sleep and hearing voices in his head, he starts to question his sanity. He finally decides to listen to the voices in his head and it leads him to the other Tomorrow People.
“Tomorrow People is a more interesting thing," said CW president, Mark Pedowitz. "[Producers] Julie [Plec] and Greg [Berlanti] and Phil [Klemmer] do a great job. The show just did not generate the audience we hoped it would generate. It did not generate on air as much as we hoped and it did not generate digitally as much as we hoped.”
Salem
The witch trials that took place in America during the 17th century really happened and this show brings you the real story behind it. In Salem, the witches are real and they are the ones behind everything. Men and women were hanged and burnt because they were believed to be siding with satan and not God. The show creators Brannon Braga and Adam Simon were content with how the show ended
“We are grateful to WGN America and Fox 21 for being terrific partners and giving us free reign to create a satisfying conclusion — one we believe respects our love of storytelling and the show’s passionate fans,” Braga and Simon said. “We knew this would be the third and final season and were able to craft an exciting climax to Mary’s transformational saga.”
Second Chance
Another series about people being brought back to life, Second Chance showcases two scientists bring a man back to life while trying to save one of their own lives. Jimmy Pritchard is resurrected as a younger and better version of himself having abilities he never even thought of. In his past life, he was a jerk to his family, a womanizer and drinker. Will he do better with this second chance?
Star Robert Kazinsky took to Twitter to express his displeasure of the show being cut off the air. "Shame that @secondchancefox won't get a second season, even bigger shame that we heard about it online," he continued. "Those of you who tuned in to watch we were privileged to perform for you."
