(Credit: Netflix)

Time and again, a show gets cancelled by its television network. The reasoning could be anything like creative exhaustion, low ratings, financial constraints or lowering popularity. Sometimes, even a combination of the reasons. But alas, some shows meet their untimely conclusion, much to the dismay of their fans. Until someone jumps in to save the day. And this someone is often the streaming giant, Netflix.

Often, Netflix will see some potential in a show that even its parent network company misses. It will adopt the show and even introduce new seasons to take the story forward in its own style. The loyal fan base of these shows would rejoice at such news. With easier and better access to the show, this fan base would just become bigger. 

Netflix welcomes these shows with open arms, making its platform their home. And while the platform receives immense praise for creating outstanding original content, it is these saved shows which make the platform a favourite among fans.

These revived shows are often a success and sometimes even a miss. But it is the very idea of attempting to take the story forward which makes Netflix stand out. Such opportunities to rebuild beloved shows into their platform create a relationship of trust between the audience and the platform.

Five shows that Netflix saved from getting cancelled:

Manifest

A supernatural drama that was set to be cancelled by NBC until Netflix stepped in and bought the rights to the show. Manifest’s first season aired in 2018 and was on television till 2021 with three seasons. The fourth season was prepared by Netflix, which was also the last season.

The show followed a group of passengers who board a flight, and upon its landing, they find out that the flight had been missing for five years. The story progresses as they attempt to unravel the mystery behind this disappearance. With the release of its final season in 2023, Manifest became one of the most-watched shows on Netflix globally.

Lucifer

Another supernatural mystery drama, Lucifer, saw a three-season run on Fox before being cancelled and revived by Netflix. The streaming giant seemed to see great potential in the show and picked it up for three seasons straight.

The show is based on characters from DC created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg. It follows Lucifer Morningstar, who comes to live in Los Angeles after getting bored serving as the Lord of Hell. In an interesting turn of events, the Lord begins to feel compassion after meeting Detective Chloe. Starring Tom Ellis and Lauren German, the show saw tremendous success with its revived seasons having longer episodes.

Trailer Park Boys

A mockumentary sitcom, Trailer Park Boys, was picked up by Netflix after the Canadian network, Showcase, dropped it from its slate. The show, which originally aired in 2001, saw its television expiration in 2007. Netflix had initially revived it for two more seasons, but the show’s popularity made it stay for twelve seasons up till 2018.

It follows three ex-convicts who begin to live together in a trailer park. Created by Mike Clattenburg, the show stars John Paul Tremblay, Robb Wells and Mike Smith. In March 2019, an animated version of the show was released by Netflix

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

NBC had been worried about the scheduling logistics of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Netflix took this as an opportunity to step in and not let the show go to waste. It exclusively aired all four of its seasons on Netflix from 2015 to 2019.

The sitcom was created by Tina Fey and followed Ellie Kemper, who played the titular role, as she adjusted to life after being rescued from a doomsday cult where she was held captive for 15 years. The writing and performance of the cast have been immensely praised by the critics. The show even received multiple nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards across its four seasons.

Arrested Development

The satirical sitcom Arrested Development ran on Fox for three seasons until 2006, when it was cancelled. Six years after its cancellation, a fourth season was released on Netflix in 2013. Followed by the fifth and last season in 2019.

Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, the sitcom followed a dysfunctional family, the Bluths, who lose all their wealth after their patriarch is caught for fraud. The initial seasons on Fox received critical acclaim and even received multiple prestigious nominations and awards. However, due to the prolonged six-year gap, its revival did not retain the same appeal as the original run. Many fans were disappointed with its story.