10 TV Shows That Flopped Their Final Season

3. Altered Carbon

Altered Carbon Anthony Mackie
Netflix

Altered Carbon's first season wasn't perfect, but it sure was entertaining - a visually stunning cyberpunk series that touted a killer high concept, outstanding world-building, and solid ensemble cast.

But season two marked something of a reset for the series, with original lead Joel Kinnaman being replaced by Anthony Mackie - though given the show's premise of characters wearing synthetic "sleeve" bodies, on paper this presented an intriguing change-up.

Except, Mackie's performance never once felt consistent with Kinnaman's - even accepting that this season takes place 30 years later, his iteration of Takeshi Kovacs seemed like an entirely different person.

In addition to this, season two's writing felt decidedly less consistent, and most disappointingly of all, the visual majesty of season one was majorly scaled back, prompting many fans to assume that Netflix slashed the budget for the second season.

Ultimately the streamer sent season two out to die with only a minimal marketing push, so it's little surprise that the lavish sci-fi series was cancelled soon thereafter, despite a pretty damn compelling setup for season three.

 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.