8 TV Shows That Got Back On Their Feet After A Disastrous Season

It’s difficult for even the best TV shows to revive after a terrible season. Whether this bad season comes at the beginning or end of the series’ run, it can mean disaster for the show because a decline in ratings and reviews can lead to cancelation. However, what a TV show does in the wake of failure says more about the creative team behind the project than their initial missteps. It only takes one great storyline to save a declining TV show, and this often has to do with the beloved characters who keep the audience coming back for more.

In the case of some series, the first season is the worst of the TV show, and this can end a series before it begins. When a decline in quality comes later in the show, a loyal fanbase and past success can likely propel the show into renewal. This track record means the writers and creators get the chance to revitalize the series. One element that remains consistent in series that come back from the brink of cancelation is that the plots and character arcs are inventive, and the show isn’t afraid to evolve with the times and its audience.

8 Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

Even though the series got off to a slow start, it was worth the wait for the series’ best storylines.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation is the third installment in the sci-fi franchise and follows the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew members of the USS Enterprise. Set around one hundred years after the original series, Picard and his crew travel through the galaxy in largely self-contained episodes exploring the crew dynamics and their own political discourse. The series also had several overarching plots that would develop over the course of the isolated episodes, with four films released in tandem with the series to further some of these story elements.

Release Date

September 28, 1987

Seasons

7

Directors

David Carson

Showrunner

Rick Berman , Michael Piller , Jeri Taylor

Expand

Star Trek: The Next Generation seems like a recipe for success when looking back on it today, but this wasn’t the case when the series first premiered. Stars like Patrick Stewart and LeVar Burton were not household names to sci-fi fans, and audiences were unsure how to balance the new characters and plots with the expectations that audiences had from The Original Series. This meant that TNG seasons 1 and 2 were full of clunky storylines and little character development, leaving viewers uninterested in this spinoff of the beloved franchise.

While TNG season 3 was still finding its footing, it put the show on the right track, which would eventually result in seasons 4 and 5. These two middle seasons are credited with developing the reverence and love for TNG that allows viewers to look back on the series with nostalgia. Each TV series in the Star Trek franchise brings something unique to the table. However, seeing how well Star Trek: The Next Generation shifted to become a hallmark of the universe after a rough start proves that it’s one of the best Star Trek narratives.

7 The Office (2005–2013)

Once the American version of the hit British series found its niche, nothing could stop its popularity.

The Office

The Office is the U.S. remake of the British comedy mockumentary series of the same name. The show follows the misadventures of a Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, led by their unconventional and clueless boss, Michael Scott. The series covers nine years of footage as they find themselves recorded through their work days and off times.

Cast

Mindy Kaling , Jenna Fischer , Kate Flannery , Ed Helms , Craig Robinson , Paul Lieberstein , Ellie Kemper , B.J. Novak , Angela Kinsey , Oscar Nunez , Rainn Wilson , Brian Baumgartner , Phyllis Smith , Leslie David Baker , Creed Bratton , Steve Carell , John Krasinski

Release Date

March 24, 2005

Seasons

9

Franchise(s)

The Office

Directors

Greg Daniels , Paul Lieberstein , Paul Feig , Randall Einhorn , Ken Kwapis

Showrunner

Greg Daniels

Expand

When Americans remake British TV shows for U.S. audiences, there must be changes made to suit the demographics and type of humor that Americans are used to consuming on television. For the U.S. version of The Office, season 1 was too aligned with the original U.K. iteration, and this was unappealing to many viewers who were experiencing the series for the first time. However, it was clear that there was something worth saving in the offbeat sitcom. Steve Carell’s Michael Scott needed to be a separate character from the irredeemable one that Ricky Gervais originated.

Season 2 leaned further into the development of Jim and Pam’s relationship in The Office and slowly began to reveal more about Michael, allowing the viewer to empathize with him further. Seasons 2 through 5 are some of the best of the entire show, and this is because of the core cast and character dynamics that are established in season 2. More heart and warmth is imbued into the series following season 1, which is something American audiences respond well to. Additionally, these changes made it possible for the show to go on for as long as it did.

6 New Girl (2011-2018)

New Girl faltered as the show hit its later years, but it ended on a touching note to finish out the story.

New Girl

Zooey Deschanel stars as Jess in New Girl, a comedy series that follows a group of twentysomething roommates in their day-to-day lives. When Jess decides to leave her boyfriend of seven years after discovering he’s been unfaithful, she finds a craigslist ad and becomes the roommate of three men around her age who desperately need to rent a room in their loft. Occasionally joined by Jess’ best friend, the group builds a quirky, dysfunctional family dynamic as they enjoy life in Los Angeles. 

Cast

Zooey Deschanel , Max Greenfield , Hannah Simone , Damon Wayans Jr. , Lamorne Morris , Jake Johnson

Release Date

September 20, 2011

Seasons

7

Network

FOX

Showrunner

Elizabeth Meriwether

As New Girl progressed into its later seasons, it began to lose steam because the characters began to age out of the show’s central conflicts. The last three seasons of the show are the worst, but season 6 was the high point in between a terrible season 5 and an unnecessary seventh and final season. Season 6 had the exciting developments of Jess and Nick finally getting back together after many seasons apart and the inspired crossover with Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which capitalized on the personality clash between Jess and Det. Jake Peralta.

Conversely, season 5 was missing the show’s most important element: Zooey Deschanel. With Deschanel on maternity leave, Megan Fox was introduced, which led to the series being forced to establish a new roommate dynamic, even though it could never live up to the original chemistry of the main characters. Cece and Schmidt’s wedding is the best part of season 5, but this can’t make up for the fact that New Girl was struggling to stay afloat that season. Eventually, Deschanel returned, and the show stopped trying to maintain the love triangle between Nick, Jess, and Reagan, making things better.

5 True Detective (2014–Present)

While season 1 could have been the only installment of the show, season 3 came back to prove otherwise.

True Detective

In this anthology series, each season follows a different detective or set of detectives as they forced to confront some horrific truths about their town and themselves. No matter the setting and characters, each detective must unravel lies and clues to solve the chilling mysteries around them.

Cast

Matthew McConaughey , Woody Harrelson , Colin Farrell , Rachel McAdams , Taylor Kitsch , Mahershala Ali , Carmen Ejogo , Michelle Monaghan , Michael Potts , Ray Fisher , Jodie Foster

Release Date

January 12, 2014

Seasons

4

Network

HBO Max

Directors

Cary Fukunaga

Showrunner

Nic Pizzolatto

Expand

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are a compelling acting duo, and even though their time on True Detective lasted only one season, it was a memorable one. However, this meant there were high expectations for season 2, as True Detective season 1 was one of the tightest and most consistent seasons of television in the 2010s. Season 2 failed to live up to this, as the story lacked the propulsion of season 1. Though the actors who embodied the roles were skilled, their characters were not complex enough to live up to McConaughey and Harrelson.

As a show fueled by its writing and character arcs, True Detective is a series that only works when an unforgettable actor is at the helm, and this is why Mahershala Ali saved True Detective in season 3. Additionally, many of the problems faced by season 2 were resolved in season 3, as the series allowed itself to return to its roots and mirror some of the success of season 1. With a methodical pace and fresh creative perspectives, season 3 set up the potential for Night Country, the series’ latest outing, and revived interest in the show.

4 Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)

While Friday Night Lights took a misstep in season 2, it came back stronger than ever in season 3.

Friday Night Lights

Based on the book of the same name, Friday Night Lights is a sports drama series that centers around the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in Texas. The show focuses on the small town and the community they share, tackling major social and political issues and the players’ challenges as they go through an increasingly difficult season.

Cast

Taylor Kitsch , Jesse Plemons , Kyle Chandler , Connie Britton

Release Date

October 3, 2006

Seasons

5

Directors

Peter Berg

Showrunner

Jason Katims

Expand

Based on the hit book and movie of the same name, the TV show Friday Night Lights took the world by storm for the way it connected audiences of all kinds with the small-town dramas of Middle America. Season 1 was an instant hit and showed the series’ potential for balancing real-world issues with the traditional elements of a teen drama. However, season 2 made several missteps by introducing convoluted plots that were forgotten by the time season 3 rolled around. This included Landry covering up a murder and Coach Taylor leaving Dillon for another job.

It was a relief when Friday Night Lights season 3 dropped Landry’s murder storyline, as well as the other parts of season 2 that diverged from the show’s original premise. Season 3 was somewhat of a soft reboot for Friday Night Lights, though not as much as season 4. However, it was much more important that season 3 reestablished the show’s quality, as many of the characters aged out of high school and completed their arcs in season 3. Touching tributes and a strong final football game contributed to a season that allowed the series to get back on track.

3 Doctor Who (1963–Present)

Through many years of ups and downs, Doctor Who has retained its fanbase and audience appreciation.

Doctor Who (1963)

Doctor Who (1963) is a British science fiction television show that follows the adventures of the Time Lord known as the Doctor, who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a time-traveling ship disguised as a British police box. The Doctor, played by various actors over the years, encounters numerous foes and allies while striving to right wrongs and save civilizations.

Cast

William Hartnell , Patrick Troughton , Jon Pertwee , Tom Baker , Frazer Hines , Nicholas Courtney , Pat Gorman , Elisabeth Sladen

Release Date

November 23, 1963

Creator(s)

Donald Wilson

Throughout its many seasons, Doctor Who has gone through many evolutions, and not just when the Doctor regenerates into a new actor. However, each time the Doctor regenerates, it poses a new problem for the series, as audiences grow accustomed to seeing a certain face embody the beloved character. If all goes well, the new Doctor will quickly be accepted, but this doesn’t always happen. Jodie Whittaker’s seasons were a low point for Doctor Who and its fans, even though there were some good episodes in her seasons. It’s important to remember that every Doctor has had a bad season.

Despite the sense that the modern era of Doctor Who peaked with David Tennant, Ncuti Gatwa has breathed new life into Doctor Who. This revitalization of the series hasn’t been seen since Peter Capaldi brought his era back from the brink in seasons 9 and 10. Additionally, while Tennant’s seasons are warmly remembered, seasons 2 and 3 had many flaws that were saved thanks to his amazing chemistry with Catherine Tate in season 4. As Gatwa continues on his path as the Doctor, great things can be expected from him.

2 Lucifer (2016–2021)

After switching to Netflix, Lucifer began to shine and develop its fantasy elements.

Lucifer

Lucifer is a Comedy/Drama and Mystery series developed by Tom Kapinos and starring Tom Ellis, Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside, and Lauren German. The premise follows the Devil, Lucifer Morningstar, as he abandons his Kingdom of Hell and instead moves to Los Angeles to run a club called Lux.

Cast

Tom Ellis , Kevin Rankin , Lesley-Ann Brandt , Rachael Harris , D.B. Woodside , Kevin Alejandro , Lauren German , Scarlett Estevez

Release Date

January 25, 2016

Seasons

6

Directors

Joe Henderson

Showrunner

Joe Henderson

For its first several seasons, Lucifer was treated as a crime procedural with a supernatural twist, even though it was clear from the beginning that the show could be much more than that. Tom Ellis made a compelling Lucifer, and the best parts of the first three seasons came when he was allowed to explore his character and the nuances of being a fallen angel on Earth. Though Lucifer played with the fantasy elements of the show’s premise, they didn’t take center stage until after season 3. Of all of Lucifer‘s seasons, the third is the most predictable.

There’s no question that the budget and resources of being part of a streaming service, especially one as popular as Netflix, was a large part of the increase in the quality of Lucifer season 4. While the new season wasn’t perfect and showed some growing pains as the series adapted to its new home, it was a large improvement from season 3. As the series progressed, seasons 5 and 6 became the best of the series, as the show became more serialized.

Related

10 TV Shows Where The Final Season Is The Worst

Some television shows last too long after their prime, resulting in disastrous last seasons that most audience members wish they had never seen.

1 The 100 (2014–2020)

The 100 went from a disappointing season 3 to a new and challenging story arc in season 4.

The 100

The 100 is a sci-fi post-apocalyptic TV series set ninety-seven years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization. When a spaceship housing humanity’s lone survivors send one hundred juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet, they discover that Earth is still inhabited. Now constantly in a state of power flux with warring clans, cannibals, and mountain-dwellers, the juveniles must attempt to survive while re-establishing contact with the Ark.

Cast

Devon Bostick , Christopher Larkin , Marie Avgeropoulos , Sachin Sahel , Richard Harmon , Chelsey Reist , Henry Ian Cusick , Bob Morley , Jarod Joseph , Paige Turco , Adina Porter , Ricky Whittle , Eliza Taylor , Isaiah Washington , Lindsey Morgan , Tasya Teles

Release Date

March 19, 2014

Seasons

7

Showrunner

Jason Rothenberg

Expand

While season 7, the final of the series, was a departure in content and theme, it still has value and should be remembered for how seamlessly it wrapped up the story. Additionally, compared to the improvement between season 3 and season 4, it’s not fair to compare the last installment of the show to the triumph of the mid-series comeback. After slowly building the tension and stakes for two seasons, season 3 didn’t follow through on the promise of the early episodes and faced backlash for killing off Lexa despite her budding romance with Clarke.

However, everything changed when season 4 premiered, and The 100 proved that it could evolve with as much skill as a prestige drama. Season 4 is the strongest season when looking at The 100 seasons ranked worst to best. The many threads and different groups that the series had been developing since the beginning all converge to create the highest form of drama that the show had seen up to that point. Additionally, The 100 season 4 proved to audiences that it was worth sticking with the series and seeing where the characters ended up by the show’s conclusion.