TV Reboots That Tried Race-Swapping Leads and Crashed Hard

The television industry frequently attempts to revitalize classic properties by updating them for modern audiences. Studios often alter the race or ethnicity of lead characters to provide a fresh perspective on familiar stories. This strategy has resulted in mixed success rates with audiences and critics alike. Many of these reimagined series failed to capture the magic of their predecessors. The following shows struggled to find a foothold and faced cancellation or poor reception.

‘Ironside’ (2013)

Blair Underwood stepped into the role of the wheelchair-bound detective originally played by Raymond Burr. The remake faced immediate criticism for casting an able-bodied actor in a role famous for disability representation. NBC cancelled the gritty police procedural after airing only three episodes due to abysmal viewership. Critics felt the show lacked the charm and mystery that made the original series a classic.

‘Uncle Buck’ (2016)

Mike Epps took over the title role made famous by John Candy in this ABC sitcom adaptation. The series reimagined the Russell family as an African-American household in Chicago. Viewers felt the show relied too heavily on generic sitcom tropes rather than the heart of the movie. ABC cancelled the series after just one short season due to declining ratings.

‘Rush Hour’ (2016)

CBS attempted to turn the hit action-comedy film franchise into a weekly procedural series. Justin Hires and Jon Foo stepped into the roles originally played by Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. The chemistry between the leads failed to match the dynamic energy that defined the films. The network cancelled the show after a single season of low ratings.

‘Training Day’ (2017)

This continuation of the Denzel Washington film featured Justin Cornwell as a young black officer partnered with a morally ambiguous white detective played by Bill Paxton. The race-swapped dynamic reversed the original film roles but failed to generate the same dramatic tension. Production halted tragically due to the passing of Bill Paxton. CBS burned off the remaining episodes and did not renew the series.

‘Minority Report’ (2015)

Fox produced this sequel series to the Tom Cruise film with Meagan Good playing the lead detective Lara Vega. The show struggled to blend the high-concept sci-fi elements of the movie with a standard police procedural format. Ratings dropped consistently throughout its short run on television. Fox cut the episode order down and cancelled the series after one season.

’24: Legacy’ (2017)

Corey Hawkins replaced Kiefer Sutherland as the lead in this expansion of the ’24’ universe. The show retained the real-time format but lacked the iconic presence of Jack Bauer that fans demanded. Viewership started strong after the Super Bowl but plummeted quickly in subsequent weeks. Fox cancelled the high-octane thriller after just one season.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2011)

Annie Ilonzeh joined Minka Kelly and Rachael Taylor in this modernized take on the 1970s classic. The series attempted to add a grittier tone to the campy original premise but alienated fans of the franchise. ABC pulled the show from the schedule after only four episodes aired. Critics universally panned the acting and the lackluster writing.

‘Kojak’ (2005)

Ving Rhames took on the role of the lollipop-loving detective originally made famous by Telly Savalas. The series aired on the USA Network and attempted to update the setting to modern-day New York City. Fans of the original found the new tone too serious and missing the charisma of the 1970s version. The reboot lasted for only one season before being scrapped.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Zoë Kravitz starred as the owner of a record store in this gender and race-swapped adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel and John Cusack film. The Hulu series received generally positive reviews for its soundtrack and performances. The streaming service surprisingly cancelled the show after one season despite its cult following. Fans expressed significant outrage over the abrupt ending.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

Netflix adapted the legendary anime with John Cho starring as the bounty hunter Spike Spiegel. The live-action series struggled to translate the unique style and tone of the animated original. Critics and fans criticized the pacing and the visual effects used throughout the show. Netflix cancelled the expensive production less than a month after its premiere.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

Lance Reddick starred as Albert Wesker in this loose adaptation of the popular video game franchise. The narrative split between two timelines and made significant changes to the established lore of the games. Viewers gave the series extremely low audience scores due to the writing and deviation from source material. Netflix cancelled the horror series shortly after the first season aired.

‘Party of Five’ (2020)

Freeform rebooted the 1990s drama by centering the story on the Acosta children navigating life after their parents are deported to Mexico. The show aimed to tackle serious political themes through the lens of a teen drama. Ratings remained low throughout the run despite the socially relevant premise. The network cancelled the series after its ten-episode first season.

‘4400’ (2021–2022)

The CW rebooted the sci-fi series ‘The 4400’ with a predominantly black cast to explore history and civil rights. The show followed 4400 marginalized people who vanished over the last century and returned instantly without aging. Viewership eroded quickly as the plot became convoluted and preachy to some viewers. The network cancelled the reimagining after just one season.

‘Tom Swift’ (2022)

This spin-off of ‘Nancy Drew’ featured a black, gay billionaire inventor in the lead role. The show attempted to mix science fiction adventure with mystery elements but failed to find an audience. The CW cancelled the series after extremely low ratings during its first broadcast run. It remains one of the lowest-rated shows in the network’s history.

‘Head of the Class’ (2021)

Isabella Gomez starred as a teacher leading a group of overachieving high school students in this HBO Max sitcom. The reboot updated the diverse cast of the 1980s original but softened the humor significantly. The streaming service cancelled the comedy after one season during a purge of scripted content. It failed to make a cultural impact comparable to the original.

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

Lisette Olivera starred as a young DREAMer searching for a lost Pan-American treasure in this Disney+ expansion of the film franchise. The series lacked the presence of Nicolas Cage and failed to capture the energy of the movies. Fans criticized the writing and the pacing of the treasure hunts. Disney+ cancelled the show after one season.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

Peacock reimagined the groundbreaking British and American series with a diverse cast set in New Orleans. The show focused on a group of friends rebuilding their lives after a tragedy at a nightclub. Viewers felt the darker tone clashed with the celebratory spirit of the previous iterations. The streaming service cancelled the drama after a single season.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2021)

This Peacock revival featured a diverse new class of students mixing with original cast members like Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley. The show satirized privilege and class differences within the setting of Bayside High. Despite receiving good critical reviews for its humor, the show did not generate enough viewership to survive. Peacock cancelled the series after two short seasons.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

HBO Max rebooted the teen drama with a more diverse and sexually fluid cast of wealthy Manhattan private schoolers. The new iteration revealed the identity of Gossip Girl immediately rather than keeping it a mystery. Critics and fans found the characters unlikable and the plotlines lacking the soapy fun of the original. The streamer cancelled the show after two seasons.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

Don Cheadle narrated this reimagining of the classic coming-of-age series focused on a black family in 1960s Alabama. The show aimed to capture the nostalgia of the original while highlighting the civil rights movement. Ratings declined significantly during the second season leading to its cancellation. ABC decided not to move forward with a third season.

‘Quantum Leap’ (2022–2024)

Raymond Lee starred as Dr. Ben Song in this continuation of the beloved Scott Bakula series. The show followed a new team attempting to understand the mysteries behind the original accelerator project. While it managed to secure a second season, viewership continued to slide. NBC cancelled the sci-fi drama after the conclusion of season two.

‘Fantasy Island’ (2021–2023)

Roselyn Sánchez played Elena Roarke in this sequel series to the classic anthology show. The premise involved guests arriving at a luxury resort to fulfill their deepest fantasies with a modern twist. Fox cancelled the series after two seasons as ratings dwindled. The show struggled to distinguish itself in a crowded landscape of reboots.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

Mindy Kaling voiced the titular character in this adult animated prequel to ‘Scooby-Doo’ featuring a South Asian Velma. The series removed the character of Scooby-Doo entirely and focused on graphic violence and meta-humor. It holds one of the lowest audience scores in history on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes due to immense backlash. Max cancelled the show after the second season aired.

‘Heathers’ (2018)

This dark comedy anthology reimagined the 1988 cult film with a diverse group of high school outcasts as the popular clique. The release was delayed and eventually burned off over several nights due to controversies regarding school violence. Critics panned the show for missing the satirical point of the original movie. The planned second season was scrapped entirely.

‘Anne Boleyn’ (2021)

Jodie Turner-Smith played the titular queen in this three-part psychological thriller miniseries. The casting of a black actress as the historical English figure sparked intense online debate and review bombing. Viewership for the Channel 5 production plummeted after the first episode aired. Critics praised the performance but criticized the melodramatic script.

‘Troy: Fall of a City’ (2018)

This BBC and Netflix co-production cast David Gyasi as Achilles and featured other diverse casting choices for Greek mythological figures. The series aimed for a gritty and realistic take on the Trojan War similar to ‘Game of Thrones’. Audiences criticized the low budget feel and the deviation from historical and mythological descriptions. The show was not renewed for any further seasons.

‘Let the Right One In’ (2022)

Demián Bichir starred in this adaptation of the Swedish vampire novel and film. The series changed the setting to New York City and expanded the mythology of the vampire virus. Showtime cancelled the series after one season and removed it from their streaming platform. It failed to capture the eerie atmosphere that made the original film a success.

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

This musical prequel to the hit film featured a diverse cast exploring the origins of the Pink Ladies clique. The show included modern pop songs set in the 1950s which confused some viewers. Paramount+ cancelled the series rapidly after its first season concluded. The platform subsequently removed the show entirely from its library for tax write-off purposes.

‘Willow’ (2022)

Disney+ produced this sequel series to the 1988 fantasy film with a diverse ensemble cast joining Warwick Davis. The tone shifted significantly towards modern teen drama dialogue which alienated fans of the original epic. Disney cancelled the show after one season and completely deleted it from the streaming service. The cancellation reflected a broader retreat from expensive fantasy content.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

Ruby Rose originally starred as Kate Kane but left the series after the first season. The showrunners then cast Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder to take over the mantle of Batwoman. Ratings declined steadily throughout the run as the show struggled with the lead character change. The CW cancelled the superhero drama after its third season.

‘The Twilight Zone’ (2019–2020)

Jordan Peele hosted and narrated this modern revival of the rod Serling classic featuring a diverse rotating cast. The episodes often focused heavily on social messaging rather than the subtle allegories of the original. Viewers felt the twists were predictable and lacked the suspense of the 1960s version. CBS All Access cancelled the anthology series after two seasons.

‘Good Times’ (2024)

Netflix released this animated reboot of the classic 1970s sitcom featuring the Evans family. The trailer and subsequent release faced immediate backlash for perpetuating negative stereotypes rather than uplifting the community. Critics and audiences slammed the show for its offensive humor and poor animation quality. The series holds an abysmal audience rating and faded into obscurity immediately.

‘Queen Cleopatra’ (2023)

Adele James starred as the Egyptian ruler in this docudrama narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith. The depiction of Cleopatra as black sparked an international controversy and a lawsuit from Egyptian lawyers. The series received some of the lowest audience and critic scores ever recorded on review aggregators. Netflix did not pursue further installments of this specific docuseries format.

Please share your thoughts on these reboot attempts in the comments.