7 Years Ago Today, NBC Debuted a Canceled Fantasy Series That Ended with a Frustrating Cliffhanger

Fantasy is becoming incredibly popular and profitable in the entertainment industry. Studios are rapidly buying the rights to fantasy books and stories to turn them into movies and TV shows. We’re already seeing success with series like Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, The Wheel of Time, The Legend of Vox Machina, and Arcane – different types of fantasy are appealing to all ages, and even more content is on the horizon, including adaptations of God of War and Fourth Wing.

Despite the growing interest in fantasy, not all television studios were eager to invest heavily in it. For example, NBC canceled a potentially successful fantasy series after only one season (ten episodes) seven years ago, famously leaving fans with a major unresolved plot point.

NBC’s The InBetween Could’ve Been A TV Pioneer

NBC’s show, The InBetween, premiered on May 29, 2019. It was created by Moira Kirland, a seasoned television producer known for shows like Dark Angel, Castle, Madame Secretary, and the Quantum Leap reboot. The series centers on Cassie Bedford (Harriet Dyer), a bartender who discovers she can see and talk to ghosts, and also has visions of past events. Troubled by these abilities, Cassie tries to use them for good, hoping to avoid the same fate as her mother. She teams up with her foster father, police detective Tom Hackett (Paul Blackthorne), and his partner, Damien (Justin Cornwell), to help solve crimes. However, Tom’s husband and therapist, Brian (Michael B. Silver), is concerned that enabling Cassie’s abilities might not be healthy for her.

When The InBetween was canceled, fantasy shows were generally more traditional than they are today. Shows like Netflix’s Arcane—an action series with a steampunk style, often called “science fantasy”—demonstrate how the genre has evolved. The InBetween uniquely blended a crime drama with supernatural fantasy, differing from typical supernatural horror. The main character, Cassie, was a “seer”—someone with the ability to perceive events in the past, future, or from afar—a common fantasy archetype. She combined the classic tropes of a mysterious oracle and fragmented visions, but within the context of a modern police investigation. The “In-Between” itself was a fantasy world where souls remained before moving on to heaven or hell, lingering to resolve unfinished business.

It’s not hard to understand why The InBetween didn’t find a large audience. Its blend of police work and supernatural fantasy was a tricky combination. Fans of straightforward crime shows like Law & Order might have found it too strange, while viewers who enjoy fantasy or supernatural dramas might have thought the police procedural aspect was too dull. But these days, audiences are often looking for fresh takes on familiar stories, and combining genres is a great way to do that.

The InBetween‘s Cliffhanger Is Still Bothering Fans

The first season of The InBetween concluded by resolving the central storyline involving Ed Roven. (Spoiler alert!) A shocking reveal showed that Cassie’s supposed spirit guide, Ed Roven (Sean Bolger), was actually a cruel serial killer who continued his crimes through others while existing in the In-Between, using people like Mark Waterman as vessels. This was a thrilling villain reveal that emphasized the risks Cassie faces due to her abilities and the dangers of the In-Between.

With Ed Roven gone, Cassie and her friends faced a more personal crisis: Brian, Tom’s husband, needed urgent surgery. While Cassie comforted Brian and discussed his recovery, she noticed something disturbing – his reflection seemed to change, becoming sinister like the true form of the villain, Ed Roven. This unsettling event hints that Cassie’s ability to perceive the supernatural might begin to affect her personal life, creating complications in her relationships during the upcoming season.

It’s unlikely The InBetween will be brought back, but it’s not impossible. If more people start watching the show, it could generate enough buzz and positive streaming numbers to catch someone’s attention.

You can find The InBetween to stream or buy on platforms like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. Join the discussion about fantasy and sci-fi on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-05-29 17:14