20 TV Reboots That Race-Swapped Characters and Lost 90% of Viewers

Television networks and streaming platforms frequently revive classic properties to attract modern audiences while updating the source material. These productions often introduce significant changes to the narratives including alterations to the racial backgrounds of established characters. Studios aim to reflect contemporary demographics and offer fresh perspectives on familiar stories through these casting choices. The reception to these creative decisions varies significantly among critics and long-time fans of the original franchises. Many of these updated series struggle to retain viewership and ultimately face cancellation after only one or two seasons.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This animated prequel to the beloved ‘Scooby-Doo’ franchise reimagines the origin story of the mystery-solving gang with a diverse cast. Mindy Kaling voices a South Asian iteration of Velma Dinkley while other characters like Daphne and Shaggy also receive racial updates. The series adopts an adult tone with graphic violence and meta-humor that diverges sharply from the original cartoons. Audiences expressed strong dissatisfaction with the changes to the character personalities and the overarching writing style. The show holds some of the lowest audience scores in television history despite securing a second season before its initial release.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

Netflix produced this live-action adaptation of the legendary anime series with a stylized approach to the space western genre. The casting included John Cho as Spike Spiegel and Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black which brought a new visual dynamic to the iconic crew. Writers expanded the storylines and altered character backstories to fit a serialized drama format. Fans of the original anime criticized the tonal shifts and the changes made to the chemistry between the lead characters. The streaming service cancelled the expensive production less than a month after its premiere due to a steep drop in viewership.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

This sci-fi horror series deviates significantly from the video game source material by splitting the narrative between two distinct timelines. Lance Reddick portrays Albert Wesker which marks a departure from the character’s traditional depiction as a white supervillain. The plot focuses heavily on Wesker’s daughters as they navigate a world overrun by the T-virus. Viewers complained that the show functioned more as a generic teen drama than a faithful adaptation of the survival horror games. Netflix cancelled the series shortly after its release following poor critical reviews and low audience engagement.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

The CW rebooted the supernatural drama about three witch sisters with a new setting and a Latina cast. This iteration replaces the Halliwell sisters with the Vera sisters who discover their magical heritage after the death of their mother. The creative team aimed to include more explicit feminist themes and political commentary throughout the storylines. Original cast members and long-time fans voiced displeasure regarding the marketing and the disregard for the original show’s lore. Ratings steadily declined over the course of four seasons until the network eventually cancelled the series.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

This coming-of-age comedy shifts the setting from a white suburban neighborhood to a Black middle-class family living in Montgomery during the late 1960s. The show explores the social and cultural turbulence of the era through the eyes of young Dean Williams. Narrated by Don Cheadle, the series attempts to capture the nostalgic tone of the original while addressing issues of race and segregation. Despite positive reviews from critics for its performances and writing, the show struggled to find a large consistent audience. ABC cancelled the program after two seasons as it failed to match the cultural impact of its predecessor.

‘Party of Five’ (2020)

Freeform updated the 1990s family drama by focusing on the Acosta children who must navigate life alone after their parents are deported to Mexico. The series tackles heavy political themes and the struggles of the American immigration system. This iteration maintains the core premise of siblings raising each other but changes the catalyst for their situation from a car accident to deportation. The show received praise for its emotional acting and relevant social commentary. Viewership numbers remained low throughout the run and led to cancellation after a single season.

‘4400’ (2021–2022)

This reimagining of the sci-fi cult classic centers on 4,400 overlooked or marginalized people who vanished over the last century and return instantly. The reboot places a heavy emphasis on Black history and the personal struggles of the returnees in a modern context. Writers focused on social justice themes and the specific challenges faced by the characters based on their time periods. Fans of the original series found the pacing slow and the visual effects lacking compared to the predecessor. The CW cancelled the show after one season due to disappointing ratings and a lack of buzz.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

HBO Max revived the hit teen drama with a more diverse cast and a focus on how social media impacts the lives of wealthy private school students. The new iteration features a Black female lead and explores queer relationships more openly than the original series. The mysterious blogger is revealed to the audience immediately rather than remaining a mystery for the characters to solve. Critics found the characters unlikable and felt the show lacked the campy fun that made the original a sensation. The streaming service cancelled the reboot after two seasons as it failed to retain the initial subscriber interest.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Zoë Kravitz stars as the owner of a record store in Brooklyn in this gender-flipped adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel and subsequent film. The series updates the setting to a gentrified neighborhood and explores the romantic history of the lead character through her top five heartbreaks. The show received generally favorable reviews for its soundtrack and the charismatic performance of Kravitz. Fans were disappointed when Hulu cancelled the series after just one season without resolving the main romantic arc. The decision to axe the show was met with confusion given its critical reception but was attributed to niche appeal.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2021)

This revival brings a diverse group of students from low-income areas to the affluent Bayside High following a school closure program. The series brings back original cast members like Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley while focusing on a new generation of teens. Scripts relied heavily on meta-humor and satire to poke fun at the conventions of the original sitcom. While critics appreciated the sharper comedic tone, the show did not connect with a broad enough audience on the Peacock streaming service. It was cancelled after two seasons despite winning a GLAAD Media Award.

‘Head of the Class’ (2021)

Isabella Gomez stars as a teacher leading a group of overachieving high school students in this update of the 1980s sitcom. The reboot aims to modernize the diverse classroom dynamic with contemporary issues and academic pressures. The show emphasizes the emotional growth of the students rather than just their intellectual capabilities. Audiences found the humor too gentle and the storylines forgettable compared to other teen comedies. HBO Max cancelled the series after just one season as part of a broader content purge.

‘Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.’ (2021–2023)

Disney+ reimagined ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ with a female lead of Asian and white descent living in Hawaii. The show follows a teenage medical prodigy juggling her hospital duties with the typical challenges of high school life. The series incorporates local Hawaiian culture and slang into the scripts to differentiate itself from the Neil Patrick Harris original. Viewership did not sustain high levels despite the family-friendly premise and connection to a well-known property. The platform cancelled the show after two seasons.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

The series initially starred Ruby Rose as Kate Kane before she departed and was replaced by Javicia Leslie as the original character Ryan Wilder. This change made Batwoman the first Black woman to take up the mantle in a live-action television adaptation. The show struggled with low ratings throughout its run as writers attempted to adjust the storyline to fit the new lead. Fans criticized the writing quality and the handling of the legacy characters within the ‘Arrowverse’ continuity. The CW cancelled the series after three seasons as viewership numbers continued to dwindle.

‘Kung Fu’ (2021–2023)

This update of the 1970s western drama corrects the casting controversy of the original by featuring an Asian-American female lead. Olivia Liang plays a young woman who uses her martial arts skills to protect her community in San Francisco. The show blends magical elements with family drama and crime-fighting procedural storylines. While it started with strong ratings for the network, the audience size decreased significantly over three seasons. The cancellation arrived as the network shifted its strategy away from scripted original programming.

‘Ironside’ (2013)

Blair Underwood took over the role of the wheelchair-bound detective originally played by Raymond Burr in the 1960s. The reboot attempted to bring a grittier and more action-oriented tone to the classic police procedural. Writers faced immediate backlash from disability advocates for casting an able-bodied actor in the lead role. The show received negative reviews for its generic writing and unlikable protagonist. NBC pulled the series from its schedule after airing only three episodes due to abysmal ratings.

‘Uncle Buck’ (2016)

Mike Epps stars in this sitcom adaptation of the John Hughes film which features an all-Black cast. The premise follows an irresponsible uncle who moves in with his brother’s family to help take care of the children. Critics panned the show for relying on lazy stereotypes and failing to capture the heart of the original movie. The humor failed to land with audiences and resulted in very low viewership figures. ABC cancelled the series just days after the season finale aired.

‘Rush Hour’ (2016)

Justin Hires and Jon Foo stepped into the roles made famous by Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan for this procedural action-comedy. The series attempts to replicate the chemistry of the films while solving a new crime each week. Reviewers noted that the television budget limited the quality of the action sequences and the script lacked the energy of the movies. The show failed to stand out in a crowded market of cop dramas and lost viewers rapidly. CBS cancelled the production after a single season.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

Peacock presented a new version of the groundbreaking British and American series set in New Orleans with a diverse cast. The narrative explores the lives of friends in the LGBTQ+ community following a tragedy at a local nightclub. The show focuses heavily on modern trauma and resilience rather than the celebratory hedonism of previous iterations. Audiences found the tone surprisingly dark and the storylines disjointed. The streaming service opted not to renew the show for a second season.

‘Tom Swift’ (2022)

This spinoff of ‘Nancy Drew’ features a Black billionaire inventor as the lead character in a mystery adventure series. The show blends science fiction elements with high-fashion aesthetics and soapy relationship drama. The writers aimed to create a stylish and campy atmosphere that differed from the more grounded teen mysteries on the network. Viewership was incredibly low from the premiere and dropped further in subsequent weeks. The CW cancelled the show after only five episodes had aired.

‘Training Day’ (2017)

This police thriller serves as a follow-up to the acclaimed film and flips the racial dynamics of the main characters. Justin Cornwell plays the idealistic Black rookie while Bill Paxton plays the morally ambiguous white veteran detective. The show attempts to turn the intense movie premise into a weekly procedural format. Tragedy struck when Bill Paxton passed away shortly after filming concluded which complicated any potential future for the series. CBS cancelled the show after one season due to modest ratings and the loss of its lead star.

Please share your thoughts on these reboots and whether you watched them in the comments.