10 Failed TV Shows That Became Cult Classics

4. Dead Like Me

Dead Like Me was the brainchild of prolific TV vet Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Hannibal), a ludicrously entertaining black comedy-drama series following 18-year-old Georgia Lass (Ellen Muth), who is killed in the show's pilot episode and subsequently becomes a grim reaper, tasked with shepherding the dead into the afterlife.

It boasted a superbly unique premise and a cracking cast, centred around Muth's chemistry with her mentor Rube Sofer (a brilliant Mandy Patinkin), while balancing its tone quite perfectly between light and dark.

Sadly, Fuller departed the show after just five episodes, citing creative differences with MGM Television, though the series continued for a total of 29 episodes across two seasons, until Showtime cancelled it due to both declining ratings and unspecified production issues.

A direct-to-video follow-up was released over four years later to a relatively mixed response, providing a capper to show that never really got its fair due, especially with Fuller taken out of the frame so quickly.

Still, for its mere two seasons, Dead Like Me enjoyed solid reviews and charmed its way into the hearts of many fans.