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19 TV Shows That Only Lasted A Season But Were Actually Just A Perfect Series From Beginning To End

By Jen Shiori Adams,

2 days ago

2. Grand Army

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3RPENN_0vWQkrI500 — If you liked *Euphoria* , you'll love *Grand Army* . The show is an adaptation of Katie Cappiello's 2013 play, *Slut.* Following five students at a public high school in Brooklyn, the series shines a light on various aspects of race, gender, and sexuality. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after writers on the show quit after experiencing "racist exploitation and abuse," according to Entertainment Weekly .
Netflix

5. The Queen's Gambit

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2jd0vG_0vWQkrI500 — Unlike the other shows listed so far, *The Queen's Gambit* is a "limited series," meaning that it was always meant to be one season. However, with how good this show was, I'm surprised they didn't decide to make a second season. The story follows an orphaned chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, and her journey to becoming the best chess player in the world. If you weren't interested in chess before, you will be after watching this.
Phil Bray / Phil Bray/Netflix

6. Beef

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1MhTLf_0vWQkrI500 — *Beef* is also a limited series, but should have definitely been renewed for another season. As the title implies, the show is about the "beef" between two strangers who get into a road rage incident. It's a hilarious show, so it's no wonder it was nominated for an Emmy.
Courtesy of Netflix

7. Pretty Smart

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1FEEmg_0vWQkrI500 — I don't know about you, but I'm a big "background noise" TV show person. You know, those shows that you can watch very casually while doing something else? This one-season sitcom is perfect for that, and features actors like Emily Osment and Gregg Sulkin who will make you nostalgic for mid-2000s Disney Channel.
Patrick Mcelhenney / PATRICK MCELHENNEY/NETFLIX

8. The Fall of the House of Usher

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0inMNN_0vWQkrI500 — *The Fall of the House of Usher* is actually a limited series inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's works, including his short story of the same name. The story follows the killings of the Usher family, and all eight episodes are "jam-packed with adaptations and references to stories and poems from Poe’s entire body of work," according to Netflix . It's thrilling, mysterious, and a perfect watch for cozy fall months ahead.
Eike Schroter/Netflix © 2023

9. Maid

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4JC0We_0vWQkrI500 — *Maid* is based on Stephanie Land's memoir of the same name, so it's based on Land's real-life experiences. It's both heartbreaking and heartwarming, following the story of a woman who gets out of an abusive relationship and becomes a "maid" to earn money for her daughter. It's a must-watch if you're in the right headspace for it.
Ricardo Hubbs / RICARDO HUBBS/NETFLIX

10. My So-Called Life

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qYIFE_0vWQkrI500 — Like many other shows on this list, *My So-Called Life* was canceled after just one season, but it was way ahead of its time. Yes, it's another high school teen drama, but the show's writing and acting are superb. It stars Claire Danes and Jared Leto as some of the main characters, so that in itself is worthy of a watch.
Danny Feld /© ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection

11. The Tomorrow People

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1te38X_0vWQkrI500 — Those who are big sci-fi fans must watch *The Tomorrow People* . The premise of the show is a teenager who gets involved with a group of genetically advanced teens who are being killed by a scientist-led army. It's a fascinating story and you won't be able to stop watching. Sadly, the show was canceled because of low ratings, according to Entertainment Weekly .
Cw Network / Â©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

12. Terra Nova

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KapEC_0vWQkrI500 — Another great sci-fi show is *Terra Nova* , which is about a family from the future (I'm talking 2149 AD) that travels back 85 million years in time. They are led to joining a colony of soldiers called Terra Nova, and have a chance at saving the world. Although the show's writers already outlined a potential draft for Season 2, Fox dropped the show due to budget issues .
20thcentfox / Â©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

13. Normal People

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0xZpr4_0vWQkrI500 — *Normal People* is a miniseries based on Sally Rooney's novel of the same name. It is, quite honestly, a work of art. It follows the love story of Marianne and Connell, who have a bit of a "right person, wrong time" romance spanning several years. Plus, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones are the perfect actors for the show.
Enda Bowe / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

14. From Scratch

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=054cBH_0vWQkrI500 — Based on a Tembi Locke's memoir, *From Scratch* tells the love story between an artist and a chef in Italy. I won't give away too much, but you'll probably ugly cry a lot while watching the show. Since it was based on the standalone memoir, there was no Season 2 planned, but perhaps that's a project for the distant future.
Aaron Epstein / AARON EPSTEIN/NETFLIX

15. The Society

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0CaXEJ_0vWQkrI500 — This sci-fi show had a great cast and even greater potential, but was sadly cancelled due to COVID-19. It follows the story of a group of teenagers, who must learn to live by themselves after everyone in their town vanishes. It takes the first few episodes to get into it, but once you're in it, you won't be able to stop watching.
Attila Szalay / Netflix

16. High Fidelity

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2GSBVc_0vWQkrI500 — *High Fidelity* is a remake of the movie of the same name, with a few things changed around. For starters, Zoe Kravitz stars as the character originally played by John Cusack, the setting is no longer in Chicago but in Brooklyn, and the decade is no longer in the 2000s, but now in the 2020s. With all of these changes, the show is a fresh twist on the movie, making for a compelling watch. Evidently, Hulu had other opinions because they ended up axing the show without citing a reason.
Phillip Caruso / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection

17. Maniac

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0xozSJ_0vWQkrI500 — This miniseries stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, who play two strangers that meet during a mystifying pharmaceutical trial. The acting is amazing, the visuals are cool, and the story itself is downright fascinating. Definitely worthy of a watch, if you ask me.
Michele K. Short

18. The Grinder

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=32EWqn_0vWQkrI500 — This sitcom was canceled due to low ratings, but I think it deserved — at the very least — another season. Not only is the show witty and funny enough to make you laugh out loud, but it's just a great, lighthearted series to lift your spirits when you're down.
20thcentfox / Â©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

19. The Get Down

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=025QPt_0vWQkrI500 — Imagine South Bronx in the late 1970s. Hip-hop is on the rise, and the music world is about to change forever. That's the essence of *The Get Down,* which magically captures the beginnings of New York City hip-hop. Although the show is fictional, it does incorporate real aspects of Bronx and hip-hop history, which is also part of what makes it amazing. Sadly, the show was cancelled after the original showrunner left production, according to The Hollywood Reporter .
Courtesy Of Netflix / Â©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

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ShanaIsShana

8h ago

I find most shows super boring and probably would be best if limited to 1-2 seasons. After that, they just make up crap to drag out episodes it ALWAYS get silly and boring.

DENNIS T. MENACE

1d ago

Covington Cross, and Earth 2!

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19 TV Shows That Only Lasted A Season But Were Actually Just A Perfect Series From Beginning To End

1. Freaks and Geeks

2. Grand Army

3. I Am Not Okay With This

4. Everything Sucks !

5. The Queen's Gambit

6. Beef

7. Pretty Smart

8. The Fall of the House of Usher

9. Maid

10. My So-Called Life

11. The Tomorrow People

12. Terra Nova

13. Normal People

14. From Scratch

15. The Society

16. High Fidelity

17. Maniac

18. The Grinder

19. The Get Down

What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Comments / 0