The Borgias (2011-2013)

Following the show’s cancellation by Showtime, creator Neil Jordan proposed a two-hour movie to wrap up the series.  Showtime seriously considered the possibility until they received a proposed budget that would have required to keep the cast under contract and the massive sets standing until production.  Showtime passed and the series concluded on a cliffhanger.

A League of Their Own (1993)

Following the show’s cancellation, Prime announced a four episode mini season to wrap up storylines.  Unfortunately, delays from the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike pushed the show into an already packed schedule.  That, and the rising costs of the production, led to the renewal being rescinded.

Batman (1966-1968)

ABC cancelled the show after its third season, but NBC came to the rescue, prepared to pick it up for a fourth season – until they learned the show’s massive sets – including the iconic bat cave – had already been destroyed.  Rebuilding them would have proven too costly, so the deal was pulled.

Gilligan’s Island (1964-1966)

The show was a ratings hit and had been picked up for a fourth season but CBS Chairman William Paley’s wife, Babe, lobbied her husband to save Gunsmoke that was on the verge of cancellation.  In the end, Gunsmoke was saved and given Gilligan’s Island’s time slot while Gilligan’s Island was cancelled.

Stargate: SG-1 (1997-2007)

After news of the cancellation broke, talks begin with Apple to save the show and bring it back for an 11th season – but a clause in the contract with Syfy ultimately prevented the show from being shopped elsewhere and, as a result, the show ended after 10 seasons.

Hannibal (2013-2015)

The show was axed by NBC, but both Amazon and Netflix expressed interest in picking the show up for a fourth season.  Since Amazon had the streaming rights to the first three seasons, Netflix ultimately passed since they wouldn’t own the back catalog.  Amazon seemed to emerge the victor and likely new home for the show but following scheduling conflicts, Amazon ultimately passed as well.

Firefly (2002)

UPN actually expressed interest in picking up the series for a second season, but they wanted to see how the show performed before pulling the trigger.  FOX’s scheduling, and their decision to air the episodes out of order, likely contributed to the poor viewership numbers which resulted in UPN backing out before the first season had even finished airing.

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)

ABC officially announced a fifth season pick-up but after production was delayed due to Teri Hatcher’s difficult pregnancy, the decision was made to pull the plug.

Constantine (2014-2015)

In a rare instant where Syfy almost saved a show rather than killed it, the Imagination Station came close to saving the series and rebranding it as Hellblazer – but the reality of production costs eventually led Syfy to back out of the deal.

Farscape (1999-2003)

Following the show’s fourth season, work began on stories for a fifth season.  But following changes at Syfy channel, the show was, instead, officially cancelled.