Sci-fi is a huge genre that encompasses a lot of different subjects, from aliens, to the future, to high-tech gadgets, but despite some great setups in shows, a lot of amazing sci-fi TV shows were canceled way too soon. Sci-fi has always been one of the genres where creativity is at its best, with incredible experimental stories that push the limits of imagination. Like fantasy, it’s rooted in fiction, but it also has ties to reality that make it feel possible.
As a result, sci-fi is a genre that people fall in love with, as they find shows that create inspiring and imaginative worlds that exist in the depths of space, alternate realities, or in the distant future. But, all of this creativity comes at a significant cost for TV and films. Creating worlds that don’t exist, technology that does the impossible, and aliens from other worlds is an expensive part of the process, which means networks are prone to cancel a sci-fi show quickly when it doesn’t return the investment.
10
Firefly
Starting with the obvious, Firefly. Firefly is often hailed as one of the greatest sci-fi shows that never really got a chance. The series debuted in 2002, and despite only ever creating one season, the show was canceled by the network. However, since the show ended, a huge and extremely dedicated fanbase has built up around the show. This Wild West adventure set in space with an outstanding cast of talented actors who went on to become legends in other sci-fi shows had so much potential, but it was doomed from the start.
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The issue with Firefly’s cancelation is the fact that the show appears to have been set up to fail from the start. Despite Joss Whedon’s reputation for creating incredibly compelling shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the network chose to air Firefly out of order, thus confusing audiences and destroying the story. In late 2002, episodes 5 to 10 aired, before a hiatus of a few months. Then when the show returned, it aired episode 11, followed by 1 to 4, and then finally the last 3 episodes. Firefly deserved better.
9
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
While the Terminator franchise has arguably struggled ever since James Cameron departed, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles gave the series new life. Despite several branching timelines, the show went back to the end of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and provided a brand-new heart-stopping adventure sci-fi series starring Lena Headey as Sarah Connor. The show follows Sarah and her son, John, as they attempt to prevent Skynet from taking over.
The original Terminator films were great, and they introduced an outstanding new world with a brilliant time-travel adventure, but the franchise got bogged down by repeating the same story over and over again. Someone goes back in time to prevent a problem. Arnold Schwarzenegger is an evil robot who turns out to be a good robot, and despite saving the day at the end, all the same problems will come up just a few years later. But the TV series format created something special with more flexibility and actual progress. Unfortunately, despite a thrilling finale in season 2, the show was canceled.
8
Jericho
Despite a compelling premise that sees an entire town in Kansas plunged into darkness both literally and figuratively, Jericho never made it past the second season. The show was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and managed to nab several other nominations and wins across various other awards shows, but despite the critical acclaim and praise from audiences, it was axed, leaving the series on a major cliffhanger.
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The series beautifully blended together sci-fi, suspense, and mystery in a series that had so much potential. On top of that, the cast was incredible in their roles, and continually made the drama of the series feel real and intense. But despite all of this, the show was removed from the CBS slate. And considering the more rural and contemporary approach to the series, it likely was not among the most expensive shows to produce in the genre.
7
Limitless
In 2011, Bradley Cooper starred in the incredible sci-fi film Limitless, where a man who struggles to reach his potential gets hold of a powerful enhancing drug. These small blue pills enhance the brain’s functionality to an extraordinary level, allowing the user to make connections, learn, and retain information in spectacular ways. And after the movie introduced this incredible concept, a spin-off show starring Jake McDorman as a character similar to Cooper’s in the film was made.
This series was given the same name, and was set in the same world as the movie, but it took the concept and created a unique sci-fi crime drama that expanded the world beyond the movie. The series was funny, charming, and action-packed. And, it was building towards actually providing some answers about the mysterious world of Limitless.
6
Dollhouse
Dollhouse was another attempt to get a new show up and running from creator Joss Whedon. After his success with Buffy, and the frustrating release of Firefly, Dollhouse had a lot of potential. This series took place in a future where people can use people who are programmed to act and behave in specific ways, known as dolls. These dolls can do anything the customer chooses, and after they fulfill their purpose, the doll returns to the dollhouse and resets, letting the humans live their lives with no memory or recollection of these events.
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However, when some of the dolls begin remembering things that they shouldn’t, things get complicated. The series was spectacular in terms of the storyline, and Whedon called on several of the actors who he had collaborated with in previous projects to fill the roles, like Eliza Dushku, who appeared in Buffy. However, despite getting a second season, this show was also canceled in record time, leaving another incredible story in the dust.
5
Raised By Wolves
HBO is known to be the home of some of the biggest and best TV shows around. The network invests a lot of money into their work, and, evidently, they expect high returns on those investments. So, when the legendary sci-fi director, Ridley Scott, came in as an executive producer on an exciting new sci-fi series, HBO snapped it up. However, Raised by Wolves failed to hit the viewing numbers the network wanted and, after just two seasons, the show was canceled.
The series is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals and a deep, thought-provoking premise. It follows two androids, known as Mother and Father, who are tasked with raising a group of children after the Earth was destroyed. It feels epic and grandiose and like everything HBO would want, but ultimately, the show was left in limbo.
4
Heroes
Heroes is a slight anomaly in this list, because the show actually ran for four seasons, and by the time it was canceled, things started to stagnate. However, this superhero show came out in 2006 with an original concept and a captivating first season. The show had so much potential, a spectacular ensemble cast, and several narrative threads that were crying out to be unpacked. However, when it was canceled, all hopes of seeing the story reach the epic finale it was building towards died with it.
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Since then, dozens of other superhero shows and movies continue to fill out the genre, but Heroes has a unique appeal, with a dark and complex narrative, a group of misfits slowly coming together to become a super team, and one of the best bad guys on TV with Zachary Quinto’s Sylar. Yes, it had four seasons, but it absolutely needed more time to dig in to the larger plot and the connections to the solar eclipse.
3
Threshold
Threshold, like Jericho, aired on CBS, and like Firefly, the release schedule wavered. While the show initially had a slot on Friday nights, it was moved part way through the season to Tuesdays to try and boost the ratings. However, this actually had the opposite effect. Obviously. Then, as the show continued to freefall, the network pulled it off the air with four episodes remaining in season 1. Meaning anyone who was watching, and then followed it to the new timeslot, was rewarded with an unfinished story.
The star-studded cast included Carla Gugino, Rob Benedict, Peter Dinklage, and Brent Spiner to name a few. The story followed a team of scientists and soldiers who were tasked to investigate and find a solution to a fast-spreading extraterrestrial virus that is affecting people in unusual ways. There was drama, tension, suspense, and action, and before it had a chance to become one of the greats, it was snatched away.
2
Terra Nova
Terra Nova had a unique approach to sci-fi. Instead of setting a story in the future, the story starts there, and then shifts to 85 million years ago in an ancient version of Earth inhabited by dinosaurs. The idea was that when humans had destroyed the planet, they chose to go back to a moment in time when everything was untouched, and they could make a fresh start in these colonies. However, as groups form, and motives clash, things get tense.
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The show featured a wonderful cast, a brilliant set up for the story, and a unique setting for sci-fi. But, despite everything the show had going for it, it was canceled after just one season. The show also featured Stephen Lang, who went on to play Colonel Miles Quaritch in James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, as the primary antagonist, but Terra Nova never got the chance to see him shine despite casting him as their villain first.
1
FlashForward
David S. Goyer has a stunning career in the sci-fi and superhero spaces specifically. He is best known for his screenplays and writing, which have contributed to The Dark Knight trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series, which was a spin-off from the MCU and led by Joss Whedon, and the Blade trilogy. However, when he helped to adapt the novel FlashForward for ABC in 2009, the show was canceled before the show was able to alter the ending of season 1.
This compelling series followed the events of a global blackout, where everyone went unconscious for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. However, everyone also experienced a flashforward to the future about six months later. The show’s season 1 finale set up a huge cliffhanger with another blackout, but as the show was canceled, nothing more came of it. However, it marks yet another major loss for the world of possible sci-fi greats that never got their chance to expand their story.