Two Great Netflix Shows With High RT Scores Suffered The Same Tragic Fate – Why Does This Keep Happening?

Over the years, Netflix has received backlash for its tendency to cut original shows before they get a chance to succeed, and two of the company's most controversial cancelations happen to be in the fantasy genre. Of course, the streaming platform contains TV series that have lasted for many seasons. Stranger Things, Virgin River, Cobra Kai, The Crown, and more have had long runs on Netflix. However, it's difficult to celebrate these popular shows knowing Netflix's affinity for nixing critically acclaimed fantasy TV series with so much potential.

Time and time again, Netflix cancels a fantasy show with a faithful fanbase. This causes an uproar, resulting in petitions and trending hashtags, all meant to draw attention to the TV series in question. They either want Netflix to undo the cancelation or find another streaming service that could pick the show up for another season. Unfortunately, for two specific fantasy TV series, these methods failed, and their season 2 finales will forever be their respective endings.

Warrior Nun And Shadow & Bone Were Both Canceled After Just Two Seasons

The 2 Cancelations Upset Many

Warrior Nun and Shadow and Bone suffered the same fate as Netflix canceled the two fantasy shows after only two seasons. Warrior Nun (based on Ben Dunn's comic book character, Warrior Nun Areala) premiered in the summer of 2020. One month later, the streaming service renewed the series for a second season, giving fans hope that it had longevity. Shortly after Warrior Nun season 2's release in November 2022, though, Netflix nixed it.

Netflix Fantasy Show	Seasons	Episodes	Release Date	Finale Date	RT Tomatometer Score	RT Popcornmeter Score
Warrior Nun	2	18	July 2, 2020	November 10, 2022	84%	97%
Shadow and Bone	2	16	April 23, 2021	March 16, 2023	83%	84%

Meanwhile, Netflix released all eight episodes of Shadow and Bone season 1 in April 2021. The fantasy drama (which adapts Leigh Bardugo's 2012 book of the same name) was quickly picked up for a second season, just like Warrior Nun. However, eight months after the premiere of Shadow and Bone season 2, Netflix canceled the series. It's worth noting that Warrior Nun and Shadow and Bone had passionate fanbases. Their popularity didn't seem to matter, though, as Netflix cut both of them after two seasons without blinking an eye.

Shadow & Bone And Warrior Nun Could Have Become Much Bigger Had They Continued

Both TV Shows Had Much More Story To Tell

Warrior Nun and Shadow and Bone each had the potential to become much bigger and more popular than they already were. Sadly, Netflix wasn't willing to risk it. The streaming service seemingly only wants to renew TV series that have proven to be a large success right out of the gate (e.g., Stranger Things, Squid Game, Bridgerton, etc.) However, not every show will become a viral streaming hit in its first season. If Netflix gave its original fantasy series time to grow (and did a better job advertising them), perhaps Warrior Nun and Shadow and Bone would still be around.

The good news is that Netflix is that a Warrior Nun movie trilogy is in the works; the bad news is that it's unclear whether the films will continue the Netflix show's story or start from scratch with a new cast.

Warrior Nun and Shadow and Bone also had more stories to tell after their respective second seasons. In fact, Warrior Nun's best was yet to come. Season 2 even earned a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, proving the show was getting better with age. A third season could have expanded Warrior Nun's world, and it would likely have contained an epic love story. As for Shadow and Bone, a third season might have adapted other books in the Grishaverse. There were plenty of stories to go around, but Netflix decided season 2 was the end.

Why Streaming Platforms Have Canceled So Many Fantasy Shows Prematurely

Budgets Play A Large Part In Cancelations

Many factors go into Netflix's decision to renew or cancel a TV series. When it comes to fantasy shows, though, they seemingly get canceled more prematurely than most for one significant reason — their budgets. It costs a lot to produce a project in the fantasy genre, given special effects, set design, etc. Because of their large budgets, there is more pressure on these shows to become the next big hit. If they don't meet expectations, it's easy for Netflix to cut them. Even Netflix's fantasy TV series with passionate fanbases such as Warrior Nun and Shadow and Bone aren't safe.