Netflix is now the leading streaming service, but it began as a DVD rental company competing with Blockbuster. While it’s famous today for original shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game, Netflix originally grew by offering content from other studios.
Around 2012, the streaming service began making its own shows, but it also started rescuing shows that other networks had dropped. It’s interesting to remember a time when Netflix focused more on getting shows than creating them from scratch – bringing in programs that already had fans and offering them a chance to end on their own terms, even if those revivals didn’t last very long.
Arrested Development
Fox Seasons 1-3 (2003-2006), Netflix Season 4 & 5 (2013-2019)
Before binge-watching became popular, Arrested Development was remarkably innovative during its original run on Fox. The show was packed with jokes that you’d notice on repeat viewings. Its quirky, over-the-top style and the famous ‘on the next Arrested Development’ teasers – which often promised storylines that never materialized – feel like they were designed for today’s streaming viewers who love to pick up on every little detail.
Despite initially appearing weekly with brief seasons, the show only attracted a small but dedicated following. When Netflix brought back Arrested Development, excitement was huge. Unfortunately, the actors’ busy schedules disrupted the show’s dynamic, leading to strange, separate storylines and obvious editing. The lively group chemistry that made the show special was gone, and the revival felt stalled and disjointed.
Trailer Park Boys
Showcase Seasons 1-7 (2001-2007), Netflix Seasons 8-12 (2014-2018)
When Netflix revived Trailer Park Boys, the comedy series quickly found a new wave of fans. Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles returned with the same hilariously chaotic and low-budget style that made the original show so popular. It stayed true to its roots – featuring raunchy humor, petty crimes, and increasingly wild mishaps – but now had the benefit of a bigger audience and wider reach thanks to Netflix.
As a huge fan, I really think Netflix unlocked something special with Trailer Park Boys. They gave the creators room to be even bolder with the humor, which led to some of the show’s absolute best moments. Sure, things got a little repetitive towards the end at times, but the revival totally nailed it. It understood we just wanted to spend more time with those wonderfully messed-up characters in Sunnyvale – and honestly, who wouldn’t?
Designated Survivor
ABC Season 1 & 2 (2016-2018), Netflix Season 3 (2019)
The second season of Designated Survivor finished with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers wondering what would happen next. However, ABC canceled the show because fewer people were watching and it was becoming too expensive to produce. Luckily, Netflix saved the series, seeing that it was popular with international audiences and well-suited for binge-watching.
The latest season of Designated Survivor felt different from previous ones – it was shorter, had a more serious tone, and unfolded like a continuing story, similar to many Netflix shows. Although season 3 brought the series back, it didn’t last long. Problems with actor contracts and other issues behind the scenes led Netflix to cancel the show after only one more season, ending its potential revival.
Star Trek: Prodigy
Paramount+ Season 1 (2021-2022), Netflix Season 2 (2024)
Star Trek: Prodigy started as a new way for Paramount+ to attract younger fans with computer-animated storytelling. However, due to cost reductions and decisions to remove content for tax purposes, the show was canceled after just one season, despite having a second season nearly finished and a dedicated following.
Netflix picked up season two of the show, which was a good fit for their focus on animated kids’ content. This effectively allowed Prodigy to finish its story, but it highlights a worrying pattern: streaming services are willing to save shows temporarily if it benefits them, but they aren’t necessarily dedicated to keeping them going for many seasons.
The Killing
AMC Seasons 1-3 (2011-2013), Netflix Season 4 (2014)
The TV show The Killing first appeared on AMC for two seasons, but the network canceled it in July 2012 because fewer people were watching. However, strong reactions from fans and positive reviews convinced AMC to work out a new deal with Fox Television Studios and Netflix. This allowed the show to be funded for a third season.
Season 3 of The Killing aired in 2013, briefly continuing the story. Netflix then revived the show for a fourth season, providing a proper ending and appealing to viewers who like to watch shows all at once. However, because it was expensive to make compared to how many people watched, the revival didn’t last long. The Killing ultimately became a prime example of a show that was saved from cancellation twice, only to be canceled for good.
Girls5Eva
Peacock Seasons 1& 2 (2021-2022), Netflix Season 3 (2024)
Despite strong reviews praising its witty writing, excellent cast, and fresh take on the girl-group reunion story, Girls5Eva was canceled by Peacock after two seasons. The show didn’t attract enough viewers to justify its production costs.
I was so thrilled when Netflix picked up Girls5eva – it felt like a chance for more people to discover this hilarious show! But even with Netflix’s reach, it was tough going. It’s a really specific kind of comedy – a musical one – and those don’t always connect with audiences around the world. Plus, making a musical show isn’t cheap! Sadly, Netflix canceled it after season three, but I’m relieved they at least let it have a good ending.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Netflix Seasons 1-4 (2015-2019)
Originally, NBC commissioned Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt directly for a full season from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, meaning it was completely ready to air. However, the network decided not to move forward with the show, reportedly because its somewhat dark humor and ongoing storylines didn’t align with what NBC usually aired or how they scheduled programs.
As a huge TV fan, I remember when Netflix swooped in and saved this show – it was back in 2015! They picked it up as one of their originals and immediately ordered more episodes. It was a really interesting move at the time, because Netflix was one of the first to grab a finished series that hadn’t even aired on traditional TV, and honestly, it just thrived in that streaming format. It felt like a turning point for how shows could find an audience.
The show’s quick wit and easy-to-watch format were a perfect fit for Netflix, much more so than they would have been on traditional television. It’s a surprising success, honestly!
Lucifer
Fox Seasons 1-3 (2016-2018), Netflix Seasons 4-6 (2019-2021)
Okay, so Lucifer had a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Fox pulled the plug after three seasons, and honestly, it came down to numbers. Live ratings were slipping, even though the show had a really dedicated following. They just felt the mix of police work and supernatural stuff wasn’t grabbing enough viewers for traditional TV. But then Netflix stepped in, and it was a smart move. They recognized the show could really take off with streaming, where people binge-watch and share shows they love. It was a perfect fit for their audience.
Netflix revived Lucifer after it was canceled, giving it three more seasons to finish the story properly. The show became incredibly popular on the streaming service, attracting a large global audience, sparking lots of online conversation, and building a very active and dedicated fanbase. Lucifer is a great example of a show that found success on Netflix after being canceled by a traditional TV network.
Longmire
A&E Seasons 1-3 (2012-2014), Netflix Seasons 4-6 (2015-2017)
Even though Longmire received great reviews and had a dedicated following, A&E canceled the show after three seasons because viewership numbers had leveled off and the network was changing its focus. Recognizing the show’s potential to attract a committed, binge-watching audience—particularly outside the US—Netflix revived it for three more seasons.
As a big fan of Westerns, I was thrilled when Longmire really took off and found a huge audience worldwide – it truly became one of those shows that defined the modern Western drama scene. It’s a bummer it left Netflix, though! Apparently, Netflix’s license just ran out. Luckily, Warner Bros. and others still own the rights, and you can now stream all six seasons over on Paramount+ – so the good news is, you can still catch up with Walt Longmire!
Manifest
NBC Seasons 1-3 (2018-2021), Netflix Season 4 (2022-2023)
Despite originally airing on NBC, Manifest gained massive popularity after its first two seasons were added to Netflix. It quickly became a hit, topping the Netflix charts for weeks, earning billions of viewing minutes, and spreading through positive recommendations from viewers.
NBC canceled Manifest after a dramatic season 3 finale, but the show found a new home on Netflix thanks to its large online fanbase. Instead of just bringing it back for one more season, Netflix gave it a larger final season, broken into two parts, to fully resolve all of the show’s storylines and mysteries.
The platform treated the show as finished, not something to build on. Manifest is a rare case – a canceled TV series that found huge success on streaming, though it didn’t turn into a continuing series with multiple seasons.
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