In the late 2010s, GLOW was canceled after only three seasons, a tragic end to a show that was incredibly fun right from the beginning. Despite its early cancellation, GLOW continues to have a strong fanbase five years after it was officially scrapped.

One of the best aspects of GLOW is its likable cast of characters led by some truly charismatic performances along the way. At the center of the show is Alison Brie (Community) as Ruth "Zoya the Destroya" Wilder, a struggling actress who ends up auditioning for a new wrestling promotion called the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). It's one of the best performances of her entire career, as her character's growth throughout the show's three seasons is amazing to watch. For Brie, though, the cancellation of GLOW really hit her hard.

Alison Brie Described GLOW's Cancellation As The "Great Heartbreak" Of Her Career

GLOW Was One Of Alison Brie's Best Projects

Alison Brie has had a spectacular career over the years, appearing in some truly wonderful roles in that time, and GLOW might be at the top of the list. GLOW being cut short on Netflix came as a shock to a lot of fans, and even Alison Brie has strong thoughts about what the show's cancellation means to her. In a 2022 interview with Decider, GLOW and the heartbreak she feels about it, as well as the iration she has for the series, stating:

It’s the great heartbreak of my career. But it will forever live on as, like, this great thing. I loved working on it – maybe more than anything I’ve worked on! – and I miss it a lot. But I feel very grateful for the time I had on the show.

It's easy to understand where she is coming from, given that Ruth Wilder is arguably the best role of Alison Brie's career. It was one of the best shows on Netflix throughout its three-season run, and seeing just how much it meant to her is heartbreaking, knowing that it was cancelled early. Still, GLOW will continue to live on as an essential part of Alison Brie's filmography, and one that will always be loved by fans.

Why Netflix Canceled GLOW After Three Critically Acclaimed Seasons

COVID-19 Was The Reason The Streamer Axed The Show

GLOW was an instant success for Netflix when it was first released back in 2017, earning rave reviews and garnering a ionate fanbase quickly. After three stellar seasons, Netflix renewed the show for a fourth and final season in September 2019, promising to end the series strong, and completing the story that had been evolving since it first released. Unfortunately, COVID-19 caused a worldwide pandemic, and GLOW's fourth season ended up being cancelled in October 2020.

Combined with rising costs from delays, it ended up not being beneficial to continue through with it, resulting in the tragic early end for GLOW.

Production of GLOW season 4 was even underway in early 2020, but was shut down in March due to the pandemic, as nearly all of Hollywood's productions were put on hold. GLOW faced even more unique setbacks due to the pandemic, as they needed to figure out a way to prevent an outbreak due to the wrestling-focused nature of the show and the closer-than-usual proximity that the actors needed to be in. Combined with rising costs from delays, it ended up not being beneficial for Netflix to continue with it, resulting in the tragic early end for GLOW.

What Would Have Happened In GLOW Season 4?

While the show enjoyed significant success during its run, GLOW's season 3 ending left some things ambiguous enough that they would likely have been explored in the series' fourth and final season. Perhaps the biggest "what if" with GLOW's story is what happens to the relationship between Debbie and Ruth, who have experienced every high and low possible throughout the show's three seasons.

Season 4 would certainly have explored either the continued fallout of their friendship or the eventual repair of it. One other major plot point could be about what happens to GLOW in the show, given that it seemed to be finished by the end of season 3.

While GLOW was indeed cancelled before the story was fully told, it doesn't necessarily end on any massive cliffhangers, as ambiguous endings in general can work. It's still worth watching for the sheer likability of the cast, the fun and engaging story, and a powerhouse performance from Alison Brie at the center of it all. For a lot of fans of the show and Brie, GLOW's cancellation was a heartbreaking moment, but its legacy has endured since it ended too soon.

Source: Decider