In 2023, Shadow and Bone aired its final episode, despite having a dedicated fan base and much more story to adapt; this is just one of many female-led some fantasy shows aren't given the proper amount of time to shine. Without overwhelming viewership numbers, these shows often get left in the dust.
It is even worse when female-led fantasy series are canceled early. Decades ago, fantasy was often targeted towards more male audiences, with mostly male characters. Female characters lacked the same weight as their male counterparts, or worse, were represented as mere archetypes. Nowadays, there is far more female-led fantasy, but unfortunately, these series can easily find themselves getting canceled due to "low viewership." Viewers are not only robbed of seeing these stories reach satisfying endings, but they also lose the chance to see strong representation.
7 Cursed
A King Arthur Retelling
A prime example of a female-led fantasy Cursed. This Netflix series is based on an illustrated novel of the same name and follows Nimue, a young woman who is destined to become the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. However, before her rise to fame, Nimue teams up with the mercenary Arthur, who is on a quest to find the wizard Merlin and deliver him a sword. Cursed starred Katherine Langford, Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård, and Daniel Sharman.
Cursed was canceled after just one season. In some ways, it made sense. The series likely didn't get the viewership Netflix hoped for, and the show's critical reception was lukewarm. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show earned a 65% critics score and a 52% audience score. Yet, Cursed had the potential to be really awesome. Langford made for a strong heroine, and her story opened the door to even more interesting possibilities. Cursed seemed to have big plans, but they were sadly crushed before they could come to fruition.
6 Willow
Six Teens Band Together To Save The World
Sometimes viewership isn't the only nail in the coffin for female-led fantasy series; money becomes a problem too. In 2022, Disney+ released Willow, a television sequel to the 1988 film of the same name. The show saw the return of Warwick Davis as Willow, the skilled sorcerer, but also introduced a set of teenage characters who come together to save the world from the evil Gales. More specifically, Princess Kit Tanthalos sets out to rescue her twin brother, Airk. The show featured Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, and Tony Revolori.
Disney Star Calls Out Company For Removing Their Acclaimed Fantasy Series From Streaming: “I Only Ever Saw Each Episode Once”
Disney star Warwick Davis speaks out against the company for removing an acclaimed fantasy series from its streaming service last year.
Despite garnering strong reviews, Willow is another female-led fantasy show that was canceled after just one season. Surprisingly, it wasn't the show's viewership that led to its downfall. In fact, Willow's demand level was 14.6 times higher than the average show in early 2023, (TheWrap.) Willow's cancelation actually resulted from Disney+ cutting its budget for streaming. Notably, Willow had a budget of $156 million. Therefore, Willow's early success was sacrificed due to Disney+'s budgeting issues.
5 Warrior Nun
A Young Woman Becomes Part Of A Secret Order
Another Netflix series that got the chop before its time is Warrior Nun. First released in 2020, the series follows Ava Silva, a 19-year-old girl who wakes up in a morgue and discovers that she has a second chance at life. Not only that, but she has been inducted into the ancient Order of the Cruciform Sword, which has tasked her with protecting the Earth from demonic powers. Ava must carry out her mission while avoiding the higher powers that want to control her. Warrior Nun is based on the comic book character, Warrior Nun Areala, created by Ben Dunn.
Warrior Nun was canceled after just two seasons, but it did not go down without a fight.
Warrior Nun was canceled after just two seasons, but it did not go down without a fight. After the announcement of its cancelation, fans came together on social media to try and get the show renewed for a third season. This campaign gained significant attention, not only because of the number of signatures, but because Warrior Nun season 2 was one of the best-rated seasons of a Netflix show in the streamer's history, (Forbes.) Ultimately, Warrior Nun was never renewed for a third season, but it was picked up by another production company and is receiving a trilogy of movies.
4 The Acolyte
A Jedi Investigates A Series Of Crimes
Despite being more sci-fi than fantasy, The Acolyte is another female-led series that should not have been canceled as quickly as it was. Set 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte follows a Jedi Master who sets off to investigate a series of crimes, and finds himself coming into with a former Padawan learner whose past hides dark secrets. The Acolyte ran for one season in 2024 and included Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, and Jodie Turner-Smith.
The cancelation of The Acolyte is a bit more sinister than other female-led fantasy series, which is why it is so important to mention it. The main issue that the show faced was a review-bombing campaign by Star Wars fans who were upset by the show's diverse cast. This push for bad reviews eventually led The Acolyte to earn a staggering 19% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, as opposed to its 78% critics score. The Acolyte should have been given time to actually prove itself as a series rather than being judged by its cast.
3 Lockwood & Co.
A World Where Kids Fight Ghosts
Unfortunately, a big trend that is coming to light in this list is the correlation between shows that were canceled too soon and Netflix. Another Netflix series that deserved more seasons is Lockwood and Co. Based on novels by Jonathan Stroud, it centers on Lucy, a teenager living in a world where ghosts have invaded the human world. Children are the only ones who can see the creatures, leading to teens like Lucy dedicating their lives to ghost hunting. After a traumatic situation in her hometown, Lucy moves to London and s two boys in their unorthodox ghost-hunting business.
Lockwood and Co. is another victim of Netflix expecting higher viewership numbers. Although Lockwood and Co. had a dedicated fan base and incredibly strong Rotten Tomatoes scores (dual 94% critics and audience scores), the streamer did not move forward with a second season. This is particularly frustrating because the first season only adapted the first two books, meaning there was even more story to tell. Lockwood and Co. should have continued, but has now been swept under Netflix's rug.
2 My Lady Jane
Jane Grey Is Made Queen Of England
A more recent fantasy series that caused uproar after its premature cancelation is My Lady Jane. Based on a book, this Prime Video series retells the historical tale of Lady Jane Grey, who was made Queen of England for about nine days before being executed by Henry VIII's daughter, Mary. In the series, Jane is not only thrust into political turmoil, but is also forced into a marriage she doesn't want and is learning more about the misunderstood magic of her kingdom.
My Lady Jane was an incredible series because it turned a truly tragic story into something whimsical, romantic, and inspirational.
My Lady Jane was an incredible series because it turned a truly tragic story into something whimsical, romantic, and inspirational. The show perfectly threaded fantasy with history, and added modern flairs to an otherwise historical setting. In countless ways, My Lady Jane felt colorful, fresh, and exciting. Therefore, it was devastating for fans when the show was canceled after just one season. My Lady Jane definitely had more story to tell, but now, won't get that chance.
1 Shadow & Bone
A Young Woman Unlocks Unexpected Powers
Finally, the female-led fantasy series that often comes to mind when considering shows that were Shadow and Bone. Adapted from Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology, this Netflix series is set in a high fantasy world where magic wielders called Grisha hold controversial power. Alina, a young cartographer, discovers she has powers that no one else has, putting her in the sights of the Grisha's leader, General Kirigan. Meanwhile, a band of criminals plans a dangerous heist.
Six of Crows: What the Canceled Shadow & Bone Spinoff Would Have Been About
Based on the Six of Crows book, we have a good idea about what the Shadow & Bone spinoff could have been about.
Shadow and Bone had all the makings of a hit series. Bardugo's books already had a firm fanbase, and the show's first two seasons were mostly lauded by viewers, who were forgiving of accuracy mistakes and the show's dual storylines. Yet, even then, Netflix canceled the series due to low viewership. This was particularly disappointing because the show never got to one of Bardugo's best storylines of all, the Ice Court Heist. Thus, Shadow and Bone represents fantasy series that suffered an unfair fate.
