2025 Cancellations Ranked: Which TV Show Ending Hurt the Most?

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As the television season on our regular networks approaches its summer break, several shows have been confirmed for another season, such as all the series in NBC’s “Law & Order” franchise. On the other hand, some shows like ABC’s “The Conners,” which ran for seven seasons, have concluded. With every renewal announcement, there are also cancellations – some of which might take us by surprise, especially when they are highly-praised and attract large audiences.

In this round of season finales, numerous TV series were terminated, wrapping up some stories neatly while leaving others hanging on a nerve-wracking cliffhanger. Some endings, however, were utterly confusing or bewildering in certain instances. As the networks embark on their summer breaks, we’re listing the television shows that got canceled in 2025, ranked from the least surprising to the most heartbreaking.

17. S.W.A.T.

CBS – Canceled After 8 Seasons

As a devoted film aficionado, since 2017, CBS has been graced by the presence of “S.W.A.T.”, sharing a cinematic universe with the critically praised drama “The Shield” on FX. Featuring Shemar Moore and Jay Harrington in leading roles, this series initially faced cancellation after season 6. However, it miraculously returned for one final run in season 7, only to be revived once more, before ultimately ending its journey after season 8.

The news that S.W.A.T. has been permanently cancelled following its eighth season doesn’t come as a surprise, given that it was previously rescued from cancellation not once but twice by CBS to continue the exploits of Sergeant Hondo and the Twenty Squad.

Although the story of Hondo will carry on in the spin-off series called S.W.A.T. Exiles, it seems fitting that the original S.W.A.T. series came to an end in a way that felt less like a shock and more like a necessary conclusion.

16. Doctor Odyssey

ABC – Canceled After 1 Season

It’s uncertain whether the rumors about Doctor Odyssey being canceled are truly exaggerated or not. The series seems to have been initially planned as a limited one, focusing on Avery (played by Phillippa Soo) and her romantic involvements with two coworkers while working aboard a cruise ship, serving as the primary narrative thread for the season.

According to various news sources, ABC hasn’t confirmed the end of “Doctor Odyssey” yet. What’s been verified is that the actors are no longer bound by their contracts. There are whispers that the series might return at some point in the future.

The reason why the cancellation of “Doctor Odyssey” might not be as devastating as some other shows’ cancellations this season is because ABC still has the possibility to reinstate the series in the future. They could potentially explore the concept as an anthology or renegotiate terms with the cast members at a later point in time.

The capability of the network depends on showrunner Ryan Murphy, as he is currently engaged in other endeavors.

15. Lopez vs. Lopez

NBC – Canceled After 3 Seasons

When contemplating television sitcoms from the early 2000s, George Lopez’s self-titled ABC sitcom was one of the most beloved and successful ones. Given this fact, it came as no shock that he would return to TV; this time around, he graced our screens on NBC with a fresh new show titled, Lopez vs. Lopez.

In a departure from his sitcom ventures since “Lopez” ended in 2007, he once again delved into the familiar family-centric comedy format, this time sharing living quarters with his on-screen and real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez, following financial troubles that led to him being displaced from his home.

For several weeks, the show hung in the balance, awaiting a verdict on whether it would be renewed or not. In the end, NBC decided against reviving the Lopez family’s storylines for season 4.

Despite the fame that came with the success of George Lopez, he has found it challenging to replicate the charm of the initial series and the elements that resonated with viewers. Even though the show was praised for its portrayal of the Latino experience, this alone wasn’t sufficient to prevent its cancellation.

14. Alert: Missing Persons Unit

Fox – Canceled After 3 Seasons

Notification: Team Tracing Missing Individuals

Initially, the concept for this series revolved around a specialized team dedicated to locating missing persons within the realm of law enforcement. However, the narrative was further developed when it was revealed that two key members of this team were former partners who had a personal connection to the topic – their child had been abducted years ago.

Despite undergoing numerous transformations throughout its three seasons, the series evolved into something resembling a buddy cop narrative. As its viewership dwindled over time, the decision to cancel it isn’t entirely unexpected.

Despite the disappointment, it’s regrettable that the Missing Persons Unit has crafted an extensive plotline for the upcoming fourth season. In the season 3 finale, a key character was exposed as someone other than initially presented, leaving fans with questions that may never be answered.

13. Night Court

NBC – Canceled After 3 Seasons

Among the numerous revival series that have graced our TV screens recently, “Night Court” made a comeback on NBC. This show was resurrected following the permanent departure of its predecessor, a highly acclaimed program with several Emmy nominations, from the airwaves in 1992.

The final episode of the third season of Night Court featured a suspenseful ending, concluding with a “To Be Continued” caption, since Judge Abby Stone (Melissa Rauch) encounters an unexpected visit from her past while Jake (Ryan Hansen) prepares to pop the question.

As nostalgia runs particularly high and with John Larroquette back as public defender Dan Fielding, there was a great deal of anticipation for the show’s comeback. Unlike other shows in the reboot category such as ABC’s The Conners and CBS’ Hawaii Five-O, Night Court didn’t quite manage to recapture the viewer interest it had during its original run.

Instead of abandoning its past triumphs, NBC, Rauch aspires that the series will be taken up by another network, ideally for a fitting conclusion to the season 3 cliffhanger.

12. Frasier

CBS/Paramount+ – Canceled After 2 Seasons

Similar to Night Court, Frasier made its grand entrance and initially aired the first two episodes on CBS before settling into its regular spot on Paramount+. Kelsey Grammer reprised his role as Dr. Frasier Crane, reuniting with his son Frederick (Jack Cutmore-Scott) in Boston following a flourishing and profitable stint hosting a TV show akin to Dr. Phil.

Fans believed that the new lineup didn’t quite capture the essence or spirit of Frasier Crane’s original show, as they felt it was incomplete without key cast members like David Hyde Pierce, who opted out of reprising his role as Dr. Niles Crane. The reboot had a hard time recapturing what made the 1993 version of Frasier so endearing to fans.

Grammar is optimistic that “Frasier” might carry on through another broadcasting platform or station, yet if its season 2 finale turns out to be its final episode, it’s perfectly fine to conclude on a festive, upbeat note that encapsulates the spirit of the original series.

11. Suits LA

NBC – Canceled After 1 Season

It’s possible that no other series debuting this season garnered as much excitement and broadcast support as the spin-off Suits LA, which was a follow-up to the USA Network show Suits, that gained massive popularity on Netflix, and rekindled interest in Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, taking on a leading role on television.

The original “Suits” cast members are coming back for special appearances, and with Stephen Amell leading an impressive ensemble, the series is poised to leverage the original’s fame on a prominent television network.

The show, unfortunately, didn’t meet expectations when it came to its creative aspects, as evidenced by the majority of reviews for Suits LA that were highly critical. At present, it has a 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite receiving critical acclaim and NBC’s tireless attempts to boost its popularity, the show failed to attract viewers. Consequently, the network decided to abandon the series prematurely, ending it after a single season, as was widely expected.

10. The Cleaning Lady

Fox – Canceled After 4 Seasons

Intriguingly original concept, “The Cleaning Lady” on Fox follows the character Thony, portrayed by Élodie Yung. She’s a mother driven to save her child’s life with an uncommon treatment found exclusively in Las Vegas. However, she unwittingly witnesses a murder that sets off a chain of events. Across four seasons, Thony finds herself increasingly entangled in the criminal underworld and must walk a fine line between upholding the law and regaining her old lifestyle.

In the final episode of Season 4 for “The Cleaning Lady,” various plotlines and character development threads were skillfully wrapped up following a tumultuous season. However, creatively speaking, the show has struggled to find its footing again since the passing of lead actor Adan Canto in Season 2.

Fox decided that, given the void created by Canto’s demise and the inconsistent ratings, it was appropriate to discontinue its distinctive series, thereby halting Tony’s journey at a point when she had recently joined forces with Sin Cara.

9. Poppa’s House

CBS – Canceled After 1 Season

In an apparently thrilling addition to the Wayans’ imaginative universe, the show Poppa’s House featured Damon Wayans Sr. and Jr., who portrayed a father-son duo, both sharing the screen and embarking on the journey of life together.

After achieving success with ABC’s “My Wife and Kids,” Wayans aimed to replicate the strategy used by George Lopez, striving to revive the charm of their beloved franchises from the 2000s.

Despite earning an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Poppa’s House struggled to make its mark amidst a congested and overloaded CBS television lineup. Given the challenges CBS has encountered in establishing itself within the competitive network television arena, Poppa’s House unwittingly became a casualty of the network’s reorganization efforts, during which several successful franchise programs were also terminated.

8. The Irrational

NBC – Canceled After 2 Seasons

The captivating series titled “The Irrational” featured Jesse L. Martin as Dr. Alec Mercer, a behavioral analyst employing his expertise to aid FBI and various government entities. With its storyline inspired by the life of Professor Dan Ariely, the show garnered impressive viewership numbers and rave critiques upon its debut.

It appeared as though “The Irrational” was set to endure for a considerable period, serving as another triumphant TV project for Martin during his post-“Law & Order” phase.

In the final episode of the second season of “The Irrational,” Mercer grappled with an unexpected disclosure as the series hinted at potential storylines for a third season, maintaining its blend of procedural elements suitable for syndication. Regrettably, persistent drops in viewership across the season had a significant impact on NBC, leading them to make an unexpected decision and cancel the show after just 2 seasons.

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2025-07-06 20:22