Netflix’s cult classic horror comedySanta Clarita Dietwas just getting good when the streamer canceled it in its third season, and I’m still mad about it. FromOzarktoAdolescencetoBoJack Horseman,Netflix’s original programmingis responsible for some of the best TV shows of the 21st century. But the streamer has become notorious for canceling shows early.
1899,Ratched,Jupiter’s Legacy,The Midnight Club, andthe live-action remake ofCowboy Bebopwere all one-season wonders that only made it through one round of episodes before Netflix canned them. The streamer has given some other shows more of a chance and let them continue into season 2 or season 3, but still canceled them without giving audiences closure.
Despite universal acclaim and the involvement of a legendary filmmaker,David Fincher’s serial killer thrillerMindhunterwas canceled after two seasons.GLOWwas abruptly canceledafter Netflix renewed it for a fourth and final season and then hastily reversed the decision.There are a ton of canceled Netflix shows that deserved better— andSanta Clarita Dietis one of the most egregious.
Timothy Olyphant & Drew Barrymore’s Suburban Horror Comedy Was A Gem
In 2017, Netflix premieredSanta Clarita Diet,a delightfully gory horror comedy that used a grisly, blood-drenched spookshow to satirize the pretensions of Californian culture.Timothy Olyphantand Drew Barrymore star as Joel and Sheila Hammond, a pair of real estate agents who put on a phony facade of friendliness in their sun-soaked Santa Clarita neighborhood.
That facade starts to slip when Sheila is turned into a zombieand starts craving human flesh. Suddenly, these seemingly innocuous, career-driven parents get involved in the dark world of murder, corpse disposal, and demonic parasites. Olyphant and Barrymore lean into the humor hilariously; they’re a great foil for all the supernatural terror around them.
In what world is Emily in Paris a hit, and this gets canceled?
The series aired for three seasons of 10 episodes each. Then, in 2019,just a couple of weeks after season 3 dropped, Netflix announced that it was cancelingSanta Clarita Diet. Even now, six years later, I still haven’t forgiven Netflix for canceling this gem. In what world isEmily in Parisa hit, and this gets canceled?
Netflix Canceled Santa Clarita Diet Just As It Was Finding Its Footing
The Last Episode Ended On An Awesome Cliffhanger
When Netflix canceledSanta Clarita Diet, it was just starting to find its voice and figuring out how to make its unique premise compelling in the long run. The season 3 finale ended on a shocking cliffhanger that seemed to significantly change the dynamic of the show.Santa Clarita Dietdeserved a much better endingthan that: a more definitive ending.
This show seemed to have a lot of exciting storylines ahead, and a lot of fresh twists to surprise audiences with, before Netflix canned it.Santa Clarita Dietshould’ve at least gotten a fourth season so the writers could come up with a more conclusive, purpose-built series finale.
