All The Shows With Black People As Leads That Were Just Canceled
We Were Rooting For You! Shows With Black Leads That Were Canceled This Season
In April, we told you about all of the shows you could look forward to watching in the spring season, but now that it’s about to be summer, a hefty amount of programs have already been axed. And while plenty of shows featuring casts without much diversity were canceled, we couldn’t help but notice many of the shows featuring people of color, particularly as leads, were cut. Check out a few shows that gained a following, but sadly, not a big enough one to stay on air.
WGN
Underground
Underground was a critically-acclaimed series with pretty good ratings. Sadly, when WGN’s parent company was purchased by the right-leaning Sinclair Group in May, they said they were going to move away from scripted shows, so the series was canceled after two seasons. They felt the ratings weren’t high enough for the money being spent on WGN series.
Netflix
The Get Down
The series was super expensive and just couldn’t seem to connect with the number of viewers who stream some of Neflix’s biggest hits. Therefore, the Baz Luhrmann-directed show was shown the door after one complete season (that was two parts).
Pitch
Despite getting strong reviews, Fox canceled the drama Pitch after just one season. It was about a pitcher who is the first woman to play in the major leagues. Great storyline and message, not so great viewership.
Fox
24: Legacy
Another Fox show given the boot is the reboot of 24 starring Straight Outta Compton star Corey Hawkins. Despite getting off to a good start, ratings fell dramatically and the network decided against a second season. They do, however, see the show returning with an entirely different cast in the near future.
Fox
Rosewood
After two seasons, Morris Chestnut’s police procedural drama was canceled after two seasons on Fox. “This is not only a part of the industry, it’s a part of life,” Chestnut said. “When one door closes, two more can open… Thank you all for your continued #onelove and support.”
ABC
American Crime
It’s the series that helped Regina King win two Emmys. Sadly, ABC opted against granting John Ridley a fourth installment in his critically acclaimed and beloved anthology crime drama.
Fox
Scream Queens
Yet another Fox show canceled, Keke Palmer’s anthology horror/comedy series Scream Queens was cut by the network after two seasons.
Monty Brinton/CBS
Doubt
You probably didn’t even know this show was on the air like that because it was canceled before it could even get going. The CBS drama starring Dulé Hill, Laverne Cox and Katherine Heigl was cut after only two episodes when viewership didn’t pop whatsoever.
Netflix
Sense8
An incredibly diverse cast in terms of the number of people of color and depictions of the LGBTQ community, the Netflix series wasn’t invited back to the party for a third season. The sci-fi drama from the Wachowskis was canceled at the start of Pride month.
Lifetime
Vivica’s Black Magic
Not that you were probably expecting this show to be an award-winning series at any point, but the show, which featured an array of talented Black male dancers, was cut by Lifetime after one season. It didn’t help that while promoting the series, Vivica A. Fox was accused of homophobia. When asked if the dancers would ever perform lapdances for gay men, she replied with “Hell no.” She is now being sued by show executive producer Jean-Claude LaMarre, who feels that the actress sabotaged the show and live revues with her comments.
