Netflix’s 4-Part Crime Series Is So Good, It Survived Cancellation Twice

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Streaming services cancel shows often, so it’s remarkable when a series lasts. Netflix gets a lot of criticism for this, having canceled everything from teen dramas like I Am Not Okay with This and First Kill, to intense dramas like The Waterfront and Ratched, and even ambitious sci-fi shows like 1899 and The OA. That’s why it’s so surprising – and impressive – that Netflix sometimes revives shows that other networks canceled too early, like The Killing.

This captivating crime series first aired on AMC in 2011, inspired by the popular Danish show Forbrydelsen (known as The Killing internationally). From the start, the show grabs your attention with its moody atmosphere and the strong connection between detectives Sarah Linden, played by Mireille Enos, and Stephen Holder, played by Joel Kinnaman. Over four seasons, each season focused on a new crime, but the show consistently explored the devastating impact of murder. Looking back, many consider The Killing to be one of Joel Kinnaman’s best TV performances, but this now-beloved show almost got cancelled twice.

The Killing Survived Being Killed Twice

The Mystery Series Almost Halfway Through Its Run

Before the original Danish version of The Killing finished its run, the American adaptation premiered on AMC in the spring of 2011. While the U.S. version largely stuck to the same storyline, some changes were made to give it its own identity. Many viewers felt the show reached a natural conclusion after the case of Rosie Larsen’s murder was solved at the end of season two. As a result, AMC announced the show’s initial cancellation about a week before that finale aired in June 2012.

After its initial cancellation, Fox Television Studios offered the show to other networks, and Netflix showed interest. Eventually, a unique agreement was reached: AMC would continue to air the show on traditional television, while Netflix would handle streaming distribution. However, AMC canceled the series again in September 2013, just weeks after the third season ended. Surprisingly, The Killing then became one of the few shows rescued by Netflix, a remarkable turnaround considering Netflix’s reputation for quickly canceling programs.

Despite its popularity, it was always planned that season 4 would be the end of the show. While Netflix could have continued the series for much longer, the final season was designed to wrap up all the storylines. This became especially obvious when season 4 only had six episodes, much shorter than the 12–13 episodes in previous seasons. Still, Netflix gave the show a satisfying conclusion, which is rare for most streaming series.

The Killing Still Couldn’t Live Up To The Danish Original

Something Intangible Got Lost In Translation

While The Killing managed to stay on air for a few years thanks to its promise, it never quite lived up to the original Danish series it was based on. The first season closely followed the plot and even some of the visual style of Forbrydelsen. However, it missed what truly made the Danish show special. Both were gripping, deliberately paced crime dramas, but Forbrydelsen was groundbreaking and truly changed the genre.

Instead of focusing on a new crime each episode, the Danish series Forbrydelsen took a deep dive into a single murder per season. It brilliantly showed how that one death impacted everyone involved – the victim’s family, the police and reporters investigating, and even the politicians trying to manage the fallout. This unique storytelling method was truly innovative, but it might not have resonated with American audiences as a foreign-language show. Now that Netflix has revived The Killing, it could unexpectedly shine a spotlight on the original Danish series and give it the recognition it’s earned.

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2026-05-04 04:48