‘Spider-Man: Freshman Year’ and other shows whose second seasons are still in limbo

Spider-Man: Freshman Year swings into the MCU with a unique animated exploration of Peter Parker’s early days as the web-slinger. Stylistically rooted in his comic book origins, the series delves into the inexperienced Peter navigating high school and newfound powers, promising a visual feast for fans.

While Freshman Year continues the MCU’s tradition of redefining superheroes, exploring uncharted territory in Peter’s narrative, the fate of its second season remains uncertain. Production hurdles like SAG-AFTRA strikes, scheduling conflicts, and Marvel’s stands on prioritizing quantity over quality have cast a shadow over the continuation, leaving fans eagerly awaiting resolution to these challenges for a potential further dive into Spider-Man’s formative years.

With the production of season two facing a considerable delay, the natural curiosity arises about the fate of other gripping shows with similarly uncertain futures. Here’s a list of ten shows that have left fans in suspense, eagerly anticipating news about their potential continuation. Their hiatus has left viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering when, or if, the next installment will arrive to unravel the unresolved narratives and answer lingering questions. As the wait continues, these shows have fans holding their bated breath, eager for updates on what lies ahead in their respective story lines.

10. The Widow

This thriller follows a woman, played by Kate Beckinsale, searching for answers about her husband’s death in the African Congo. The demise of season two is likely due to season one’s holding of a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s consensus notes that, while the series showcases Kate Beckinsale’s formidable action skills, it veers off course amidst a jungle of problematic tropes and unsatisfying twists.

9. Dublin Murders

This crime drama adapted from Tana French’s novels presented a complete investigation within its first season. While the first season enjoyed considerable success, the fate of a second season remains undisclosed. Screenwriter Sarah Phelps, expressing enthusiasm, has affirmed her desire to delve further into the narrative. In her own words, “Please God yeah! And season three, I’d like to cover the whole thing, cover the whole period of that time for Ireland. I hope we get to do more because I know what happens in the final scene.”

8. Living with Yourself

Living with Yourself, starring the ever-charming Paul Rudd, thrusts us into a comedic whirlwind that’s part self-improvement journey, part cosmic mix-up at the spa. Picture this: You go in for a tune-up, and voila! Instead of just feeling rejuvenated, you discover a superior version of yourself hogging the spotlight. The first season masterfully juggled humor and existential ponderings in this delightful and unexpected narrative. The show hasn’t officially greenlit a second season. It seems the creators might be playing hard to get with the idea of a follow-up. Whether they’re keeping the story a well-groomed singleton or plotting a surprise encore, the verdict is still out.

7. Watchmen

Watchmen, the HBO series inspired by the iconic graphic novel, garnered critical acclaim for its bold storytelling and examination of societal issues. The first season, initially framed as a limited series, concluded with no official plans for a second installment. Creator Damon Lindelof, a key figure in the first season, stepped away from the project, and no clear successor emerged. The uncertainty surrounding a second season may be due to a deliberate decision to keep the series standalone, ongoing negotiations, and creative considerations. Regardless, this may be a good example where fan support might resurrect the series, given the amount of love for the DC property. 

6. The Rook

The Rook, based on Tana French’s novel series, centers around a woman who wakes up in London with no memory and discovers she possesses special abilities. As she unravels the mystery of her identity, she becomes part of a secret organization. Despite positive critical reception for its unique blend of supernatural elements and espionage, the show encountered challenges in maintaining consistent viewership. The complex narrative and niche appeal might have contributed to the decision not to renew the series for a second season. Unfortunately as the series bit the dust, audiences just didn’t latch onto the genius potential of this unique blend of science fiction and espionage. 

5. Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing is a DC Comics-inspired horror-drama series that follows scientist Alec Holland, who transforms into the plant-based creature Swamp Thing after a failed experiment. The series explores the supernatural mysteries of the swamp and the challenges faced by its titular character. Despite a promising start, the series was abruptly canceled after its premiere episode. The decision to cancel Swamp Thing reportedly stemmed from financial challenges and complications surrounding tax incentives in North Carolina, where the series was filmed. This cancellation left fans without further exploration of Swamp Thing’s story, and only created heavier anticipation for a feature-length film.

4. Devs

This limited series, exploring the implications of determinism and free will within a tech company, was designed to tell a complete story in its initial run. The lack of a second season can be attributed to the creators’ intention to create a standalone narrative rather than extending it into multiple seasons. Ultimately, viewership declined, forcing Netflix to axe the show in March 2020.

3. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

The captivating fantasy puppet animation prequel, concluded its first season with the Gelfling clans uniting against the oppressive Skeksis in a rebellion. Despite critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, the series faced an unfortunate fate. Netflix announced its cancellation in September 2019 due to challenges related to audience size and the intricacies of puppetry-based production.

2. I Am Not Okay With This

I Am Not Okay With This is a Netflix gem that intertwines the complexities of high school life with the discovery of telekinetic powers by its protagonist, Sydney. Season 1 concludes with a dramatic twist during the school dance, as Sydney accidentally unleashes a powerful telekinetic force, leaving viewers hanging in suspense about the repercussions.

Regrettably, the journey doesn’t continue into a second season. Like The Society and many other pandemic-era shows, in August 2020, Netflix announced the cancellation of the series, citing challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This left fans yearning for more answers, as Sydney’s story and the mysteries surrounding her supernatural abilities were left unexplored and unresolved.

1. The Society

The Society on Netflix unfolds as a gripping teen drama, following high school students grappling with an unusual situation – returning from a canceled field trip to find their affluent New England town mysteriously devoid of adults. The plot revolves around their attempts to establish order and navigate the challenges of an unfamiliar and isolated environment.

At the end of season one, a significant twist added another layer of complexity to the narrative: The teenagers discover that they are trapped in an alternate version of their town or a parallel universe, introducing unresolved mysteries and leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

Despite the intrigue and the anticipation for answers, however, the series hit a roadblock. Netflix announced its cancellation in August 2020, attributing it to the complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges included difficulties in scheduling, production constraints, and budgetary considerations, leading to the unfortunate decision to cancel the show. This, in turn, left fans without the promised resolution and a deeper exploration of the intriguing storyline in a second season.