TV Reboots That Flopped Hard Because of Gender-Swap Drama

Television reboots often attempt to modernize classic stories by introducing new perspectives and changing the identities of established characters. These creative choices can lead to intense public debate and polarized reactions from long time fans of the original properties. Some productions encounter significant hurdles when audience expectations clash with the revised casting and narrative shifts. The following shows attempted to reimagine their source material through gender swaps and other major character alterations but ultimately failed to sustain their momentum.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Rob Brooks is a record store owner who navigates her past relationships in Brooklyn while obsessing over music. This series reimagines the story by casting a woman in the lead role originally played by a man in the film adaptation. The narrative focuses on her internal struggles and her inability to move on from romantic failures. Despite receiving critical interest the show was canceled after only one season of production. The change in perspective led to significant debate among the existing fanbase regarding the necessity of the gender swap.

‘The Watch’ (2021)

This fantasy series is loosely based on the popular book characters created by Terry Pratchett. The show made several changes to the source material including altering the gender and appearance of key figures like Sybil Vane. Fans of the original books were vocal about their disappointment with the tone and character shifts. The series struggled with low viewership and was not renewed for a second season. Critics noted that the departure from the established lore contributed to its cold reception.

‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’ (2021)

This animated series serves as a sequel to the classic cartoon but shifts its focus away from He Man. The story primarily follows Teela as she embarks on a quest to save Eternia after a catastrophic event. Many viewers expressed frustration with the reduced role of the titular hero and the focus on female protagonists. The show experienced a significant disconnect between critical reviews and audience scores. While it continued into a second part the initial backlash defined much of the public discourse.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This adult animated series reinterprets the characters of the classic mystery franchise with updated backgrounds and personalities. The show focuses on Velma Dinkley and features a complete overhaul of the original character designs and dynamics. It faced an overwhelming amount of negative feedback from audiences who felt the changes were unnecessary or poorly executed. The humor and narrative direction were frequently criticized for being mean spirited toward the legacy characters. Despite the controversy the show managed a two season run before ending.

‘Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac’ (2019–2020)

This modern adaptation of the legendary anime series introduced a major change by making the character Shun female. The original character was a man who challenged traditional gender norms and his swap to a woman was met with resistance from the community. Producers stated the change was intended to increase female representation in the group of knights. However the choice backfired as fans felt it undermined the nuance of the original character. The series failed to capture the magic of the previous iterations and moved to a different platform.

‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ (2022–2023)

A young woman named Jess Valenzuela leads this series as she searches for a lost historical treasure. The show moves away from the male lead established in the movies to focus on a new generation of explorers. It struggled to replicate the success and charm of the film franchise starring Nicolas Cage. Disney opted to cancel the series after only one season due to low engagement and mixed reviews. The transition to a new protagonist failed to draw in the original audience.

‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ (2023)

This musical series acts as a prequel to the famous film and focuses on the founding members of the Pink Ladies. It emphasizes female empowerment and social issues within the setting of the nineteen fifties. The show faced a difficult path as it tried to balance the nostalgic tone of the original with modern sensibilities. It was canceled after one season and later removed from its streaming platform entirely. Viewers noted that the show lacked the enduring appeal of the source material.

‘Willow’ (2022–2023)

This series continues the story of the cult classic fantasy film with the original actor returning to his role. However the narrative shifts heavily toward a new ensemble of young female characters who drive the plot. Many fans felt the tone was too distant from the source material and criticized the contemporary dialogue. The show was not renewed for a second season and was eventually scrubbed from the streaming library. This outcome marked a significant failure for the high budget fantasy revival.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

This update to the popular teen drama features a new group of elite private school students in Manhattan. The series swapped the gender and racial dynamics of the original cast to reflect a more diverse society. It also revealed the identity of the narrator early on which changed the fundamental structure of the show. The reboot struggled to match the cultural impact and ratings of the original run. It was ultimately canceled after two seasons on the streaming service.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

This live action adaptation of the iconic anime series made several changes to the characters and their backgrounds. Significant drama arose from the portrayal of characters like Faye Valentine and the gender fluid reimagining of Gren. The show was criticized for its pacing and for failing to translate the cool atmosphere of the animation. Netflix canceled the series just weeks after its premiere due to poor viewership and high production costs. The backlash from the core fanbase was a major factor in its swift demise.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

The series follows the adventures of Kate Kane and later Ryan Wilder as they take on the mantle of the protector of Gotham. While not a direct gender swap of Batman the show replaced the traditional male lead of the franchise with a female hero. The production faced numerous challenges including the departure of its lead actress after the first season. It struggled with declining ratings and constant comparisons to the legacy of the Caped Crusader. The show was eventually canceled as part of a wider restructuring of the network.

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (2021)

This horror series reimagines the classic slasher film by following a group of teenagers haunted by a fatal accident. The show swapped some character roles and leaned into modern teen drama tropes with a primarily female focus. It received mostly negative reviews for its writing and for straying too far from the suspense of the original. The series was canceled after a single season as it failed to build a consistent audience. Many felt the changes did not improve upon the established formula.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

This action series centers on the daughters of Albert Wesker as they navigate a world ravaged by a viral outbreak. By shifting the focus to new female leads and changing the background of established villains it departed significantly from the games. Fans of the franchise were vocal about their dislike for the teen drama elements and character changes. The show suffered from low ratings and was canceled by the streaming platform after one season. It remains one of the most poorly received adaptations in the history of the franchise.

‘Fatal Attraction’ (2023)

This reimagining of the classic thriller movie explores the consequences of an affair from a modern perspective. The series attempts to give more agency and depth to the female lead who was previously seen as a simple villain. It faced a difficult task in trying to extend a concise movie plot into a multi episode series. Critics and audiences found the new direction to be less compelling than the original film. The show was canceled after its first season due to a lack of viewer interest.

‘True Lies’ (2023)

The series is based on the action film about a secret agent who struggles to balance his work and family life. In this version the wife is given a much more prominent and active role in the spy missions from the beginning. This change shifted the dynamic of the story to a partnership rather than the original deception based plot. The show failed to generate excitement and was canceled shortly after its premiere season. Viewers felt the television adaptation lacked the charisma and energy of the big screen version.

‘Penny Dreadful: City of Angels’ (2020)

This spin off to the original series takes place in nineteen thirties Los Angeles and features a new cast of characters. It incorporated supernatural elements into a story about social tension and political corruption. The show swapped the gothic atmosphere of the first series for a more modern and diverse perspective. It struggled to maintain the audience of the original show and was canceled after one season. Fans felt the new direction lost the essence of what made the brand successful.

‘Thundercats Roar’ (2020)

This animated reboot took a comedic and stylized approach to the classic eighties action series. It drastically changed the designs and personalities of the characters to appeal to a younger audience. The announcement and release of the show were met with intense backlash from long time fans of the original. The show lasted for only one season before being taken off the air. The radical departure from the source material was cited as the primary reason for its failure.

‘Dead Ringers’ (2023)

This psychological thriller series is a gender swapped reimagining of the film about twin gynecologists. Rachel Weisz stars as both siblings in a story that explores the dark side of medical ethics and personal obsession. While the lead performance received praise the show struggled to reach a wide audience. The disturbing subject matter and the shift in perspective made it a niche production. It did not see the same level of cultural conversation as the original movie.

‘Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.’ (2021–2023)

This series is a reimagining of the nineteen nineties show about a teenage doctor but features a female lead in Hawaii. The show attempts to capture the charm of the original while adding cultural depth and a modern setting. It lasted for two seasons on its streaming platform before being canceled. While it had a dedicated younger audience it failed to become a major hit. Many viewers found the connection to the original show to be too thin to sustain long term interest.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

The third iteration of this groundbreaking drama follows a diverse group of friends in New Orleans after a tragedy. It swapped the traditional focus of the previous versions to include a wider range of gender identities and backgrounds. The show aimed to represent the modern LGBTQ+ community with more nuance and variety. However it failed to find a large enough audience to justify a second season. The series was canceled just months after its debut on the streaming service.

‘American Gigolo’ (2022)

This series serves as a modern follow up to the classic film but updates the story with significant character changes. It explores the life of a male escort who is released from prison and tries to find his place in the modern world. The drama behind the scenes and the dark tone of the reimagining alienated some viewers. It was canceled after one season due to low ratings and creative differences during production. The attempt to modernize the property did not result in a successful revival.

‘First Kill’ (2022)

This teen drama focuses on a vampire and a monster hunter who fall for each other despite their families being enemies. The show features a female centered romance and swaps traditional supernatural roles to tell a modern story. It gained a small but passionate following on social media during its initial release. Netflix canceled the series after its first season citing that the viewership did not meet the necessary thresholds. The cancellation caused a significant stir among fans who felt the show deserved more time.

‘Gotham Knights’ (2023)

The show takes place after the death of Bruce Wayne and follows his adopted son and the children of Batman enemies. It introduces a new team of heroes and shifts the focus away from the traditional icons of the city. The series faced criticism for its production quality and for moving too far from the established lore. It was canceled after one season as part of a strategy to move away from certain types of superhero content. Viewers found it difficult to connect with the new characters and their motivations.

‘The Winchesters’ (2022–2023)

This prequel to the long running series Supernatural tells the origin story of John and Mary Winchester. The show shifted the focus to the younger versions of the parents and changed some of the established history of the universe. Fans were divided on the changes to the lore and the different tone of the new production. It was canceled after its first season and failed to find a new home on another platform. The show could not replicate the massive success of its predecessor.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2022)

The revival of this classic sitcom features a new group of students at Bayside High with a focus on social class and diversity. It introduced several new characters who took over the central roles from the original cast. The show was praised for its clever writing and for poking fun at the tropes of the original series. Despite the positive reviews it was canceled after two seasons on the streaming service. The reboot failed to maintain a large enough audience to stay in production.

‘How I Met Your Father’ (2022–2023)

This spin off to the successful sitcom swaps the gender of the narrator to follow a woman named Sophie and her friends. It uses the same storytelling device as the original show to explore modern dating in New York City. The series struggled with comparisons to the original cast and their chemistry. It was canceled after two seasons leaving the central mystery of the father identity unresolved. Fans of the franchise were disappointed by the abrupt end to the story.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2011)

This attempt to revive the iconic detective series featured a new trio of investigators with updated backgrounds and modern skills. The production faced immediate comparisons to the classic version and the successful film adaptations. Audience interest remained low from the premiere and the show was canceled after only four episodes aired. The attempt to reinvent the gendered dynamics of the team did not resonate with viewers at the time.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

The reboot of the supernatural series features three sisters who discover they are powerful witches after the death of their mother. It changed the names and backgrounds of the original sisters and introduced more political and social themes. The show faced significant backlash from the original cast and their loyal fanbase. It lasted for four seasons but struggled with inconsistent ratings throughout its run. The production ended as the network moved in a different direction with its programming.

‘Fantasy Island’ (2021–2023)

This series serves as a sequel to the original show but features a female descendant of Mr Roarke in the lead role. Elena Roarke welcomes guests to the island where their wildest fantasies are brought to life. The show focused on modern dilemmas and personal growth through its rotating cast of guest stars. It was canceled after two seasons due to declining viewership numbers. The reimagined lead was not enough to keep the show on the air for the long term.

‘Kung Fu’ (2021–2023)

A young Chinese American woman drops out of college and goes on a journey to an isolated monastery in China. When she returns to her hometown she uses her martial arts skills to protect her community. This version replaces the original male lead with a female protagonist to modernize the story. The series faced challenges in maintaining viewership over its three season run. Many viewers compared the new direction to the legacy of the original nineteen seventies program.

‘Bionic Woman’ (2007)

This reimagining of the classic seventies series stars Michelle Ryan as a woman who receives robotic implants after a near fatal accident. The show attempted to take a gritty and dark approach to the superhero genre. It suffered from production delays and creative changes during its initial development. The series was canceled after only eight episodes were produced. The audience did not connect with the modern update of the iconic character.

Tell us what you think about these television reboots and their character changes in the comments.