Summary

• Halo has been canceled by Paramount+ after only two seasons.
• The cast of Halo season 3 was uncertain, but Pablo Schreiber would likely have returned as Master Chief.
• The storyline of Halo season 3 was also uncertain, but there are still many moments from the gaming franchise that could have been explored.

Paramount+'s Halo TV series has quickly become one of the streamer's largest shows, but the video game adaptation was axed before season 3. Based on the eponymous video game series that debuted in 2001, Halo is set in the 26th century and follows the war between the United Nations Space Command as they wage war against the Covenant, an alliance of alien races who hope to wipe out humanity. Though video game adaptations are in vogue, Halo was an ambitious project from the start, and though it ruffled a few feathers, it managed to impress.

Critics have been largely positive towards the big-budget adaptation, with both seasons earning fresh scores on changes that the Halo TV series made from the beloved gaming source material. Season 2 was specifically crafted to address many of those issues head-on, but the series won't get a chance to buil on that momentu thanks to the cancelation.

Halo Season 3 Is Canceled

Paramount+ Pulls The Plug

the production team behind Halo is currently shopping the property around, and it might just get a second chance after all.

The big-budgeted video game adaptation was on shaky ground from the start, and it has now been confirmed that Halo has been canceled before season 3. Paramount+'s decision hasn't been explained, but the likeliest reason was the high cost, which put the show in a precarious position. Though season 2 saw marked improvements over its predecessor, it likely wasn't pulling in the viewership numbers that Paramount was hoping to see, especially with such a large investment.

Paramount issued a statement praising the "ambitious" show:

We are extremely proud of this ambitious series and would like to thank our partners at Xbox, 343 Industries and Amblin Television, along with showrunner and executive producer David Wiener, his fellow executive producers, the entire cast led by Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief and the amazing crew for all their outstanding work. We wish everyone the best going forward.

Despite the major setback, the production team behind Halo is currently shopping the property around, and it might just get a second chance after all. Though many streaming-exclusive shows are canceled and never seen again, Halo is unique because its recognizability makes it an enticing opportunity for another streamer to scoop up. However, no new home has been found for the series yet.

Halo Season 3 Cast

Who Could Return?

The cast of Halo season 3 wasn't set in stone by the time the show was canceled, but many returns were still possible. One constant, though, was Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief, as he has always been the protagonist of the Halo franchise and is an absolute necessity for each season. Most other characters are less certain, though there are a few near-guarantees, such as the combination of Jen Taylor and Christina Bennington as the AI character Cortana.

Jen Taylor provided the voice and physical performance for Cortana in season 1, while Christina Bennington assumed the role of Cortana's physical body in season 2.

A list of potential returns for Halo season 3 could have included:

Halo Season 3 Story

Plenty Left To Explore If The Show Moves To A New Home

Halo's cancelation is doubly painful because it likely means the story won't continue after the exciting season 2 finale. Largely catching up to the events of the Combat Evolved game, the finale saw Master Chief merge with Cortana, and form a bond with 343 Guilty Spark. Both aspects are crucial to the aforementioned game's story, and the containment of The Flood would likely have been front and center in Halo season 3's story. However, until the show finds a new home, fans likely won't get to see it.