5 Planned TV Reboots That We’re Still Mad Were Canceled

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Reboots—bringing back canceled TV shows—have become a common and often successful practice. The success of franchises like Star Trek demonstrates their potential, and the revived Doctor Who is another prime example. Even established procedural dramas, such as Matlock and Law & Order, have found new life and popularity through reboots.

Sadly, reboots don’t always work out. Some promising projects are cancelled before they even get made, and others are scrapped after the first episode. It’s really disappointing for fans when a reboot they were excited about doesn’t happen, particularly if it’s a show they loved with a dedicated following.

5) Sliders

Sliders was a groundbreaking sci-fi show that unfortunately didn’t get a satisfying conclusion. The character Quinn had merged with his counterpart from another dimension, leaving his survival uncertain. Meanwhile, the rest of the team entered a wormhole after being prevented from returning home, and their ultimate fate remains a mystery.

When NBC announced plans to revive Sliders in 2019, fans were thrilled. Sadly, the reboot never actually aired, leaving the characters in a state of uncertainty once more and disappointing the loyal fanbase nearly twenty years after the original series ended.

4) New York Undercover

New York Undercover was a compelling but often overlooked police drama created by Dick Wolf – the producer behind popular franchises like Law & Order and One Chicago. The show explored the work and personal lives of two detectives working undercover, and it was groundbreaking for its early focus on social issues like racism, featuring a diverse team with a Puerto Rican and Black detective.

Even though the show changed its detectives in the last season, it still maintained a loyal following. The original series concluded in 1999, but ABC announced plans for a revival in 2018. Unfortunately, that revival never happened, which was a letdown for many fans.

By 2018, the social problems the show addressed had become even more pressing, making its return incredibly important. Plus, loyal viewers were eager to reconnect with the characters they loved and find out what had happened to them.

3) L.A. Law

The early 1980s legal drama L.A. Law was truly innovative. It not only helped launch Jimmy Smits’ career but also pioneered the concept of law firms grappling with tough ethical questions. Though many legal dramas have appeared since it ended in 1992, none have quite matched the impact of the original.

In 2021, ABC considered bringing back L.A. Law with a new pilot. The reboot would have included Blair Underwood, reprising his role from the original series, alongside his character’s son and other fresh faces, aiming to continue the show with a new generation. Unfortunately, ABC decided not to move forward with the sequel, meaning fans won’t get to see this new take on the legal drama or experience the show’s legacy with a new cast.

2) Star Trek Phase II

Back in 1977, the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, and NBC discussed bringing the original series back as Star Trek: Phase II. Roddenberry had successfully convinced the original actors to return and wanted to include more women in leadership roles. Unfortunately, the show didn’t move past the initial pilot episode; instead, that pilot was developed into the first Star Trek movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Today, Star Trek is a massive franchise with numerous spin-off shows, and Star Trek: The Next Generation’s revival proved very popular. Still, it’s a shame Roddenberry didn’t get to create his own reboot, and we’ll never know what direction the series might have taken if he had.

1) NYPD Blue

When it first appeared on ABC, NYPD Blue was known for being daring and realistic, even if it meant breaking television conventions. The show was incredibly popular, lasting 12 seasons, so the possibility of bringing it back was met with enthusiasm.

In 2019, ABC commissioned a pilot episode for a new version of NYPD Blue centered around Theo Sipowicz, the son of the original show’s detective Andy Sipowicz, who was investigating his father’s murder. The network’s decision to cancel the show frustrated many, especially since executives acknowledged the pilot was well-made but ultimately passed on it because it didn’t measure up to the iconic original series.

What movies or TV shows deserve a reboot? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-25 01:14