In the last two weeks, Netflix has been doing some housecleaning, canceling a few shows. The latest victim is ‘Sense8,’ and pretty much everyone thinks that decision sucks.
After barely two seasons Netflix announced that the acclaimed sci-fi series, created by the Wachowskis (‘The Matrix,’ ‘Cloud Atlas’) and J. Michael Straczynski, with executive producer Grant Hill, is coming to an end, leaving several narratives in the story half-finished.
Cindy Holland, VP of Netflix original content addressed the cancellation in a press conference. “It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kick ass, and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world. We thank Lana, Lilly, Joe and Grant for their vision, and the entire cast and crew for their craftsmanship and commitment.”
The show starred Tuppence Middleton, Brian J. Smith, Doona Bae, Aml Ameen, Max Riemelt, Tina Desai, Miguel Ángel Silvestre and Jamie Clayton as the “sensates.” They all have a vision of a woman’s death and become connected, mentally and emotionally. This connection lets them communicate and share thoughts and actions with each other, despite being strangers spread all around the globe. While they tried to investigate more about the incident and its possible meaning, a mysterious organization was hunting them down, in an intent on destroying them.
Fans are angry at Netflix for canceling the show at this point
There are lots of reasons to be mad about. First of all, the show gained cult thanks to diversity among the cast. It featured a number of LGBTQ+ characters and actors, plus a lot of racial and cultural diversity between them. This makes ‘Sense8’ probably one of the most inclusive and diverse shows in TV history. The cancellation feels as a punch aimed straight at minorities.
In addition, Netflix announced the cancellation after nearly two years of waiting for the second season. The first season dropped back in June 2015 and came back with its second season in May 2017. And a month after it premiered, all of the sudden, kaputt! There’s no more ‘Sense8,’ please enjoy these last episodes… Really, Netflix?
To make it even worse, the announcement was made on June 1, the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. The cherry on top!
Netflix CEO Reed Hasting said recently in an interview with CNBC that they have so many good shows that very few have been canceled and that he wants to take more risk. “You have to try more crazy things because we should have a higher cancel rate overall,” he said, right before canceling one of the most unique and inclusive shows on the streaming service.
A lot of Twitter users – and part of the cast – reacted to the show’s cancellation:
‘Sense8’ joins ‘The Get Down’ in the list of canceled Netflix shows
Other Netflix shows that were recently canceled include ‘Marco Polo,’ ‘Lilyhammer,’ ‘Hemlock Grove,’ ‘Bloodline,’ and ‘The Get Down.’
After only one season, ‘The Get Down’ was canceled. And just like ‘Sense8,’ the show was meaningful to minorities – black people, in this case.
Let’s keep in mind that in the end, business is business. ‘The Get Down’ was the most expensive original series in Netflix’s history. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, it cost at least $120 million to produce, even becoming one of the most costly shows in Hollywood, ever. And reports say that production and shooting for the show were always hard and complicated to get done.