TV Shows That Race-Swapped Black Characters and Got Canceled

Modern television production frequently reimagines classic stories with updated casting choices to reflect a more diverse society. This trend has led to numerous high-profile adaptations where characters originally depicted as White in source material are played by Black actors. While some of these series find success and critical acclaim for their fresh perspectives, others fail to resonate with audiences or sustain high viewership numbers. The following series featured significant race-swaps for established characters but ultimately faced cancellation by their networks.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

Netflix attempted to revitalize the famous video game franchise with a new narrative that split timelines between 2022 and 2036. The series cast Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker who was traditionally depicted as a white villain in the games. Reddick delivered a strong performance but the script deviated heavily from the source lore that fans loved. Critics and viewers panned the show for its teenage drama elements and confusing plot structure. The series was canceled shortly after its debut due to low completion rates among subscribers.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

This live-action adaptation of the beloved anime brought the bounty hunter crew of the Bebop to life with a stylized aesthetic. Mustafa Shakir was cast as Jet Black who was originally a white character in the Japanese animation. While Shakir received praise for capturing the spirit of the character, the show struggled to balance the tone of the original work. Fans criticized the pacing and the changes made to the main storyline. Netflix canceled the expensive production after just one season.

‘Halo’ (2022–2024)

The long-awaited adaptation of the Xbox shooter franchise made several changes to the established canon to fit a television format. Danny Sapani and Olive Gray were cast as Captain Jacob Keyes and Commander Miranda Keyes who were both white in the video games. The series faced immediate backlash from purists for altering character motivations and revealing the Master Chief’s face. Although it managed to secure a second season, the show never fully won over the core gaming fanbase. Paramount+ announced the cancellation of the series after the conclusion of season two.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

This reboot of the classic coming-of-age sitcom shifted the focus from the white Arnold family to the Black Williams family living in Alabama. The show aimed to explore the late 1960s through the lens of a Black teenager named Dean Williams. Critics generally praised the show for its warmth and its handling of historical context. Viewership numbers declined steadily over the course of two seasons. ABC ultimately decided to cancel the series as it failed to replicate the cultural impact of the original.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Zoë Kravitz starred in this reimagining of the Nick Hornby novel and the subsequent film that originally starred John Cusack. The lead character was gender-swapped and race-swapped to become a biracial woman named Rob who owns a record store in Brooklyn. The series received positive reviews for its soundtrack and the charismatic performance of Kravitz. Despite the critical acclaim, the show failed to generate enough buzz to warrant a renewal. Hulu canceled the series after a single season which left many fans disappointed.

‘Cursed’ (2020)

This fantasy drama offered a retelling of the Arthurian legend through the eyes of Nimue. The show cast Devon Terrell as a young Arthur who was portrayed as a Black mercenary rather than the traditional white future king. The series attempted to blend young adult themes with graphic violence and magical lore. Viewers found the pacing slow and the world-building inconsistent compared to other fantasy hits. Netflix chose not to renew the show for a second season.

‘The Irregulars’ (2021)

Set in the Sherlock Holmes universe, this series focused on a group of street urchins who solve crimes for the sinister Doctor Watson. Royce Pierreson played Watson as a Black man which was a departure from the character’s classic literary description. The show mixed supernatural horror elements with the traditional Victorian mystery setting. Although it briefly appeared in the top ten charts, the retention rate was not high enough for the streaming giant. Netflix canceled the show less than two months after its premiere.

‘Troy: Fall of a City’ (2018)

This epic historical drama aimed to retell the story of the Trojan War with a gritty and grounded approach. The casting of David Gyasi as Achilles and Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Zeus sparked significant debate regarding historical and mythological accuracy. The series was a co-production between the BBC and Netflix that suffered from low ratings in the United Kingdom. Critics felt the writing was melodramatic and failed to capture the grandeur of the Iliad. The show was not picked up for any subsequent seasons.

‘Anne Boleyn’ (2021)

This three-part psychological thriller cast Jodie Turner-Smith as the titular Tudor queen who was historically white. The casting choice was intended to challenge viewers to look past race and focus on the patriarchal oppression the queen faced. The series received polarized reviews with some praising the bold approach and others criticizing the historical inaccuracy. Audience ratings were notably low and the show was panned by general audiences on review aggregators. It remains a standalone miniseries that failed to launch a wider franchise or trend.

‘Tom Swift’ (2022)

As a spin-off of the Nancy Drew series, this show reimagined the classic literary inventor as a gay Black billionaire. Tian Richards played the lead role with a focus on high-tech adventure and sci-fi mystery. The series struggled to find an audience on The CW network amid a period of corporate restructuring. The ratings were among the lowest for the network during that season. It was canceled swiftly after airing only a handful of episodes.

‘Vampire Academy’ (2022)

Peacock adapted the popular young adult book series with significant changes to the character descriptions found in the novels. Sisi Stringer was cast as the lead heroine Rose Hathaway who was described as having a tanned complexion in the books but was often interpreted differently by fans. The show attempted to modernize the vampire lore with political intrigue and social commentary. Fans of the books were divided on the adaptation choices and the visual effects. The streaming service canceled the show after one season due to insufficient viewership.

‘Perry Mason’ (2020–2023)

HBO rebooted the classic legal drama with a noir atmosphere set in 1930s Los Angeles. Chris Chalk was cast as Paul Drake who was a white private investigator in the original novels and TV series. The show explored the racial tensions of the era by making Drake a Black police officer navigating a corrupt system. While the series received critical praise for its production value and acting, it was expensive to produce. HBO canceled the show after two seasons as it refined its content strategy.

‘Let the Right One In’ (2022)

This adaptation of the Swedish novel and film centered on a father and his vampire daughter living in New York City. The main characters were reimagined as a Black family with Demián Bichir and Madison Taylor Baez in the lead roles. The show expanded the mythology of the vampire virus and introduced new antagonists. Showtime canceled the series after one season and removed it from their platform entirely. The cancellation was part of a broader content purge at the network.

‘Heathers’ (2018)

This dark comedy anthology was based on the 1988 cult classic film but updated the social dynamics for a modern high school setting. The character of Heather Duke was reimagined as a Black male identifying as genderqueer. The series faced a tumultuous release schedule and was delayed due to real-world school violence. Critics found the satire confused and the tone mean-spirited rather than clever. The show was burned off on the Paramount Network and effectively canceled without a second season.

‘Utopia’ (2020)

Amazon adapted the British cult hit about a group of comic book fans who discover a graphic novel that predicts real-world catastrophes. Desmin Borges played Wilson Wilson who was portrayed by a distinctively different actor in the UK original. The American version was criticized for toning down the unique visual style and increasing the violence. The timing of the release during a global pandemic also hurt its reception due to the plot involving a flu-like virus. Amazon canceled the series after just one season.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

The reboot of the WB series replaced the white Halliwell sisters with the Afro-Latina and Latina Vera sisters. The show aimed to be a more feminist and intersectional take on the story of three powerful witches. Original fans were vocal about their preference for the classic cast and the new direction struggled to maintain steady ratings. The writers frequently changed the lore and romantic pairings in an attempt to keep viewers engaged. The CW canceled the series after four seasons during a major network cull.

‘Roswell, New Mexico’ (2019–2022)

This sci-fi romance updated the Roswell High book series and the original TV show by aging up the characters and adding political themes. The character of Maria DeLuca was played by Heather Hemmens and the Valenti family was also race-swapped. The show focused heavily on immigration issues alongside the alien mystery. Ratings eroded over time as the plot became increasingly convoluted. The network canceled the show after its fourth season wrapped up the main storylines.

‘First Kill’ (2022)

Netflix released this supernatural teen drama about a vampire and a monster hunter falling in love. The monster-hunting Burns family was portrayed as a Black family which contrasted with the white vampire family. The show developed a passionate online following but received mixed reviews from critics for its cheesy effects and dialogue. Despite appearing in the top ten lists for several weeks, the completion rate did not meet Netflix’s standards. The streamer canceled the show after one season.

‘Krypton’ (2018–2019)

Set on Superman’s home planet generations before its destruction, this series focused on the House of El. The show cast the Zod family as Black with Georgina Campbell playing Lyta-Zod and Colin Salmon playing General Zod. This race-swap added a new dynamic to the rivalry between the noble houses of Krypton. Syfy canceled the series after two seasons as the viewership numbers dropped significantly. A planned spin-off featuring Lobo was also scrapped.

‘Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector’ (2020)

Based on the novel The Bone Collector, this procedural featured Russell Hornsby as the brilliant but paralyzed forensic criminologist. While Denzel Washington played the role in the film, the character in the original book series was white. The show attempted to blend serialized storytelling with a case-of-the-week format. NBC canceled the series after one shortened season due to mediocre ratings. The show failed to stand out in a crowded market of police procedurals.

Please share your thoughts on which of these shows deserved a second chance in the comments.