TV Shows That Tanked After Adding “Woke” Storylines Fans Hated

The entertainment landscape has seen a significant shift in recent years as studios attempt to modernize classic franchises or create new content reflecting contemporary social issues. This strategy has frequently resulted in a clash between creators and long-time fans who feel that political messaging is being prioritized over storytelling. Many of these productions faced immediate backlash upon release and suffered from plummeting viewership numbers that led to their ultimate cancellation. The following list explores television series that struggled to find an audience after introducing elements that viewers labeled as performative or agenda-driven.

‘The Acolyte’ (2024)

This entry in the Star Wars universe faced intense scrutiny from the moment it was announced due to comments from the showrunner regarding its themes and diverse casting. Viewers criticized the series for breaking established canon and focusing heavily on identity politics rather than the traditional Jedi lore they loved. The audience score on review aggregators dropped to record lows as fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the writing and character directions. Disney ultimately decided not to renew the series for a second season following the poor reception and low viewership completion rates.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

The series faced immediate backlash upon the release of its first trailer regarding the protagonist’s dialogue about gender and power dynamics. Viewership steadily declined throughout the first season even before the lead actress departed the show unexpectedly. Writers attempted to pivot by introducing a new character to take up the mantle but ratings continued to slide significantly. Critics and fans argued that the heavy focus on social messaging overshadowed the superhero action and character development. The network ultimately cancelled the series after three seasons amid dwindling audience interest.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This animated prequel to the Scooby-Doo franchise reimagined the titular character and her friends with significant changes to their races and personalities. The show became one of the lowest-rated animated series in history as fans rejected the cynical humor and the removal of the beloved dog Scooby-Doo. Viewers felt the writing was mean-spirited and prioritized meta-commentary on social issues over the mystery-solving fun of the original. Despite a hate-watch phenomenon that boosted initial numbers the viewership plummeted quickly.

‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)

Marvel fans expressed frustration with this series for its comedic tone and heavy-handed approach to gender themes. The show frequently broke the fourth wall to address internet trolls and toxic fandom in a way that many viewers found antagonistic. Scenes involving the protagonist lecturing the Hulk on anger management drew particular ire from long-time comic readers. The visual effects and storyline were criticized for lacking the stakes expected from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Willow’ (2022–2023)

Disney revived the classic 1988 fantasy film with a new series that introduced a modern cast and contemporary dialogue to the medieval setting. Fans of the original movie criticized the show for abandoning the charm and tone of the source material in favor of modern teenage drama and romance. The series was accused of sidelining the title character to focus on new characters that failed to resonate with the audience. Disney cancelled the show after just one season and removed it entirely from their streaming platform to cut costs.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

Netflix attempted to adapt the popular video game franchise with a narrative split between two timelines and a focus on corporate conspiracies. The show faced harsh criticism for straying far from the source material and introducing teenage drama that felt out of place in a survival horror setting. Long-time fans were disappointed by the lack of connection to the beloved game characters and lore. The series was cancelled shortly after its release due to poor viewership and negative word of mouth.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

The live-action adaptation of the legendary anime was met with skepticism that turned into disappointment upon its release. Fans criticized the show for flattening the philosophical depth of the original in favor of quips and expanded backstories that altered character motivations. The casting and costume design sparked debates about faithfulness to the anime aesthetic. Netflix cancelled the series less than a month after its premiere as viewership dropped by nearly half in its second week.

‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ (2022)

This prequel series was intended to expand the lore of the popular fantasy franchise but instead alienated its core fanbase. Viewers panned the show for its generic writing and deviation from the established history of the Witcher world. The series holds one of the lowest audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes as fans felt the story was rushed and lacked the nuance of the books or games. The negative reception further fueled the ongoing controversy regarding the creative direction of the main series.

‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’ (2021)

Kevin Smith helmed this continuation of the classic 80s cartoon but faced a massive backlash for the decision to sideline He-Man early in the story. Fans felt misled by the marketing which featured He-Man heavily while the show focused on Teela and her journey. The narrative choices regarding character deaths and personality shifts were seen by many as a deconstruction of the original heroes. The audience score plummeted as viewers accused the showrunner of bait-and-switch tactics.

‘Queen Cleopatra’ (2023)

This docudrama sparked an international controversy and legal threats from Egypt regarding the casting of the historical figure. Viewers and historians criticized the production for presenting a disputed historical narrative as fact. The show received abysmal audience ratings and was panned for its writing and acting quality beyond the casting debate. It stands as one of the lowest-rated productions in the history of the streaming platform.

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

Disney attempted to continue the Nicolas Cage film franchise without the leading star by focusing on a new younger cast. The series was criticized for its lack of star power and a plot that felt more like a young adult drama than a historical adventure. Fans missed the chemistry and puzzle-solving dynamics of the original movies. The show failed to capture a significant audience and was cancelled after one season.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

The reboot of the iconic teen drama sought to be more socially conscious by diversifying the cast and addressing privilege directly. Critics and fans felt the show lacked the scandalous fun and bite of the original series because the characters were too self-aware and moralizing. The attempt to make the wealthy characters relatable or apologetic for their status fell flat with viewers who wanted escapist drama. HBO Max cancelled the series after two seasons as it failed to generate the cultural buzz of its predecessor.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

This reboot of the beloved supernatural series made significant changes to the lore and characters to modernize the story. The marketing campaign explicitly framed the show as a feminist update which alienated fans of the original who felt the previous series was already feminist. Tensions between the original cast and the new production further divided the fanbase. The show struggled with ratings throughout its run before being cancelled during a network shakeup.

‘Santa Inc.’ (2021)

This stop-motion animated series for adults aimed to satirize the holiday season with vulgar humor and feminist themes. The show became the target of a massive review-bombing campaign as viewers found the humor unfunny and the premise mean-spirited toward Christmas traditions. It holds a remarkably low audience score on major review sites. The series was widely ignored by the general public and did not return for a second season.

‘High Guardian Spice’ (2021)

Crunchyroll produced this original animated series which faced immediate backlash for its production quality and writing. Anime fans criticized the platform for using subscription funds to create a show that lacked the visual style or storytelling tropes of the medium. The dialogue and character designs were mocked for being simplistic and focused on identity labels rather than personality. The show became a symbol of the disconnect between the streaming service and its core audience.

‘Y: The Last Man’ (2021)

The long-awaited adaptation of the acclaimed comic book series was cancelled even before its first season finished airing. Fans of the source material felt the show deviated too much from the comic by focusing on new characters and altering the personality of the protagonist. The pacing was criticized as sluggish and the tone as overly dour compared to the adventure aspects of the comic. The high budget and low viewership made it unsustainable for the network.

‘Q-Force’ (2021)

Netflix released this animated comedy about a team of LGBTQ+ superspies but the trailer was met with criticism from the very community it aimed to represent. Viewers felt the humor relied on tired stereotypes and pandering rather than clever writing. The show struggled to find an audience as it was too niche for mainstream viewers and too stereotypical for the queer community. It was quietly cancelled after one season without a formal announcement.

‘Tom Swift’ (2022)

This spinoff of the Nancy Drew series featured a black gay billionaire inventor as the lead. The show struggled to find an audience on the CW network and received some of the lowest ratings in the channel’s history. Critics noted that the tone was uneven and the scripts felt rushed compared to the parent series. It was cancelled after only five episodes had aired.

‘Naomi’ (2022)

Ava DuVernay produced this DC superhero adaptation that focused on a teenage girl discovering her powers in the multiverse. The show was criticized for its slow pacing and lack of superhero action in the early episodes. Comic fans felt the adaptation did not do justice to the source material’s vibrant art and energy. The series was cancelled after one season as the network moved away from superhero content.

‘Gotham Knights’ (2023)

The premise of this show involved the murder of Batman and a group of teenagers including his adopted son teaming up to solve the crime. Fans rejected the idea of a Batman show without Batman and mocked the trailer for its low-budget look and angst-ridden dialogue. The writing was criticized for being a generic teen drama with a DC skin rather than a proper superhero story. The show was cancelled after one season shortly before the network was sold.

‘Anne Boleyn’ (2021)

Channel 5 in the UK produced this historical drama which cast a black actress as the titular Tudor queen. The casting choice sparked a heated debate about historical accuracy and representation in period pieces. Audience reviews were overwhelmingly negative with many citing the historical inaccuracies and modern dialogue as major issues. The series saw a massive drop in viewership between its first and final episodes.

‘Troy: Fall of a City’ (2018)

This co-production between the BBC and Netflix retold the Iliad with significant changes to the casting of mythological figures like Achilles and Zeus. The series was panned by audiences for its low production values and deviation from the classical text. Viewers found the dialogue clunky and the acting wooden compared to previous epics like Troy or Game of Thrones. The show was a ratings disaster for the BBC and was not renewed.

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

Paramount+ created this musical prequel to the classic 1978 film exploring the origins of the girl gang. Fans of the original felt the modern pop songs and contemporary social themes clashed with the 1950s setting. The show was criticized for lacking the nostalgic charm and grit of the original movie. It was cancelled after one season and removed from the streaming service for a tax write-off.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2021)

The revival of the 90s sitcom brought back original cast members alongside a new diverse group of students at Bayside High. While critics generally liked the meta-humor fans of the original found the tone too cynical and the new characters less engaging. The show attempted to deconstruct the privileges of the original characters which alienated some nostalgic viewers. Peacock cancelled the series after two seasons.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

This reboot reimagined the classic coming-of-age story through the eyes of a black family in 1960s Alabama. While the show received positive reviews from critics it struggled to capture the massive audience of the original series. Viewership declined significantly in the second season as the novelty wore off. The network cancelled the show after two seasons.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2022)

Peacock reimagined the groundbreaking British and American series for a modern New Orleans setting. The reboot was criticized for its dark tone and characters that many viewers found unlikable compared to the previous iterations. Fans of the original series felt the new version lacked the joy and chemistry that made the franchise popular. The show was cancelled after just one season.

‘First Kill’ (2022)

This supernatural teen drama centered on a romance between a vampire and a monster hunter. While it developed a dedicated online following the show was criticized for its cheesy effects and soapy writing. The completion rate for the series was reportedly low which is a key metric for Netflix cancellations. The streamer axed the show after one season leading to an outcry from its niche fanbase.

‘The Watch’ (2021)

BBC America adapted Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels into a punk-rock fantasy police procedural. The show was universally loathed by book fans for completely changing the characters and tone of the source material. Pratchett’s own family distanced themselves from the production describing it as sharing no DNA with the father’s work. The series was a critical and commercial failure that did not continue.

‘Good Times’ (2024)

Netflix released this animated reboot of the classic 70s sitcom with involvement from Seth MacFarlane and original creator Norman Lear. The trailer faced immediate backlash for its depiction of a drug-dealing baby and gross-out humor that fans felt disrespected the original’s legacy. Audiences criticized the show for relying on offensive stereotypes rather than the socially conscious humor of the live-action series. The reception was overwhelmingly negative upon release.

‘The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder’ (2022)

This live-action sequel to the popular cartoon introduced the original protagonist’s cousin as the new lead. Fans found the transition to live-action jarring and the humor too reliant on modern internet trends. The show was removed from Paramount+ entirely just a year after its release. It is now considered lost media as it is not legally available on any major platform.

‘Roswell, New Mexico’ (2019–2022)

The second adaptation of the Roswell High books added a heavy focus on immigration politics to the alien romance story. While it found a niche audience the ratings were consistently low throughout its run on The CW. Fans of the original TV series felt the chemistry and mystery were secondary to the political messaging. The show was cancelled after four seasons as the network purged its scripted content.

‘The Winchesters’ (2022–2023)

This Supernatural prequel focused on the parents of the original show’s protagonists. Fans were divided over the changes to the established lore and the different tone of the series. The show failed to retain the massive fanbase of the original series and suffered from low live ratings. It was cancelled after one season as the new network ownership shifted strategy.

‘Murphy Brown’ (2018)

The revival of the classic sitcom returned with the original cast to tackle the political climate of the Trump era. Viewers found the show too partisan and lacking the wit that defined its original run in the 80s and 90s. The ratings dropped steadily as the audience tired of the relentless political commentary. CBS cancelled the revival after a single season.

‘Promised Land’ (2022)

This drama about a Latino family vying for power in Sonoma Valley was pulled from the ABC schedule after just five episodes. The show suffered from extremely low ratings and failed to connect with a broad audience. It was burned off on Hulu before being cancelled officially. Critics noted the show struggled to stand out in a crowded landscape of family empire dramas.

‘Monarch’ (2022)

Fox promoted this country music drama heavily as a potential successor to Empire. The show featured a storyline involving a non-binary character that drew some attention but the series was largely criticized for its soapy writing and clichés. Ratings started strong but fell off a cliff as the season progressed. Fox cancelled the show after just one season.

‘Everything’s Trash’ (2022)

This comedy series starred Phoebe Robinson as a podcaster navigating life in Brooklyn. The show received decent reviews but failed to generate any significant viewership on cable. The humor and specific cultural references did not translate to a mass audience. Freeform cancelled the series after one season.

‘Single Drunk Female’ (2022–2023)

This dramedy focused on a young woman’s journey through sobriety after a public flaming out. While it had critical support the ratings were minuscule on the cable network Freeform. The show was cancelled after two seasons and subsequently removed from streaming services. It was another victim of the content purge strategy used by studios to save money.

‘Rutherford Falls’ (2021–2022)

Ed Helms co-created this sitcom which focused on the relationship between a small town and the neighboring Native American reservation. The show was praised for its Indigenous representation but struggled to find a large subscriber base on Peacock. Viewers found the humor too gentle and the pacing too slow for a comedy. It was cancelled after two seasons.

‘Little Demon’ (2022)

This animated series about the daughter of Satan featured the voices of Danny DeVito and Aubrey Plaza. The show faced protests from religious groups but ultimately failed due to a lack of general interest. The comedy was seen as trying too hard to be edgy without the substance to back it up. FX cancelled the show after one season.

‘The Irregulars’ (2021)

Netflix adapted the Sherlock Holmes stories to focus on a group of street urchins with supernatural elements. Sherlock and Watson were portrayed as darker and more incompetent figures to elevate the teen protagonists. Holmes purists rejected the changes and the supernatural twist on the detective genre. The show was cancelled after one season despite decent initial sampling.

‘Jupiter’s Legacy’ (2021)

This big-budget superhero adaptation dealt with the conflict between old-school heroes and their modern children. Critics and fans criticized the cheap-looking costumes and the tedious family drama that took up most of the runtime. The deconstruction of American ideals felt generic to many viewers. Netflix cancelled the expensive series less than a month after its debut.

‘Cursed’ (2020)

This reimagining of the Arthurian legend focused on Nimue the Lady of the Lake. The series was criticized for its young adult novel tropes and lack of narrative focus. Fans of the mythos found the changes to the lore unnecessary and the pacing sluggish. Netflix quietly cancelled the show after one season.

Share your thoughts on which show deserved a second chance or which one failed the hardest in the comments.