(Credits: Netflix)

It has been a pretty blood-thirsty week for Netflix, as the streaming giants continue to remorselessly cancel a plethora of its original programming. Beloved and seemingly popular shows like Kaos have been up on the chopping block as of late, as Netflix searches for its next big-hitter, on par with shows like Squid Game or Stranger Things. Now, a cult comedy series starring Rob Lowe has been axed, too.

Back in 2023, Netflix unveiled a shiny new comedy series, Unstable, starring Rob Lowe alongside his son, John Owen Lowe. Immediately, the programme became a hit for the streaming service, with fans revelling in watching the real-life father and son duo play that role on screen, as a father and son working together at a bio-research facility. With a star-studded cast, including the likes of Sian Clifford, Fred Armisen, Lamorne Morris, and, of course, the Lowes, surely Unstable was a guaranteed hit for the streaming service?

Well, for the most part, the programme was a hit. Raking in impressive viewing figures and a decent enough reception from both viewers and critics, the show added a great deal to Netflix’s comedy offerings. Indeed, the release of a second series in August of this year only seemed to bolster that reputation as more and more viewers began to take notice of the workplace sitcom.

This increased viewership following season two made it all the more disappointing when Netflix announced the show would not be renewed for a third season this week. Reportedly, the reason for its cancellation lies with the simple fact that its viewership was not large enough for the platform to view it as being profitable for a third series.

The second season of Unstable, which premiered during the summer, failed to break into Netflix’s top ten streaming chart despite amassing a pretty sizable cult following. This was, seemingly, the final nail in the coffin for the Rob Lowe sitcom. Although Netflix’s decision may seem quite harsh, it is worth noting that the platform has cancelled shows that were far more popular than Unstable in recent months. 

For instance, the sci-fi series Dead Boy Detectives was recently axed by the streaming service despite being a very popular show for them. On top of that, executives chose to cut the dark comedy series Kaos from their roster last week, even though that show managed to stay in their streaming charts for multiple weeks.

Inevitably, these cancellations, along with multiple changes in the platform’s business model, have left many Netflix subscribers questioning their subscriptions. As ad-based viewing and a crackdown on password sharing begin to overshadow the convenience and quality of the streaming service, cancelling a range of beloved programmes is the least of Netflix’s worries.