As we race to the end of the 2024-25 TV season, there are still a few network shows not yet renewed, so which ones are we worried about ending?
As May approaches, we're getting closer to the big time for the TV season when the networks make their final decisions on what shows are coming back or not. It's a different year without as many pilots as usual, and several shows are already getting straight-to-series orders. There have also been a bevy of renewals for NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX.
Deadline has updates on several shows with indications some series like Night Court, Lopez vs Lopez, Animal Control, and Suits: LA will be coming back for new seasons. Yet there are a few network shows facing the axe, so here's a quick rundown of the top ones we're most worried about!
The Equalizer
One of the notable CBS shows that has not yet been renewed is the Queen Latifah hit. While the show has been a success, Latifah's high salary and production costs may be factors. There's also how CBS is already planning a spin-off starring Titus Welliver.
It may be that CBS orders a shortened final season to give the show a proper sendoff, but fans are right to be concerned that the series may suddenly end in May. Here's hoping they beat the odds one more time.
Doctor Odyssey
Some were surprised this new hit wasn't among ABC's mass renewals. It seems to have all the ingredients with high ratings at the start, and according to Variety, it has an average of 5.19 million viewers for its latest episodes. There's also the wild story turns of the main character romances and the bevy of guest stars.
However, Deadline reports that the major factor is the show's very high production budget. Recreating a cruise ship isn't cheap, nor is landing all those guest stars and cast salaries. Thus, it may simply be economics that keeps Doctor Odyssey from sailing for a second season.
Grosse Pointe Garden Society
Sadly, it looks like NBC is already giving up on this dark comedy as the show has been moved from Sunday nights to the " death slot" of Fridays. It's a shame as the series is much better than some believe, with its deep mysteries and characters.
Just maybe it can eke out a surprise renewal for a winter 2026 premiere. However, being slotted to Fridays before its season is done is a pretty good sign this series is going to get the official axe at any time.
All American
The CW has been culling so many shows lately that it's amazing All American survived for another year. It did a "soft reboot" with a major cast culling that seems to be doing well. However, with the CW more focused on airing shows they've acquired from Canada or the U.K., an eighth season seems a big challenge.
Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll shared that they still have plenty of ideas thanks to the new characters introduced, and the story can continue for several years. Hopefully, the show will get a chance to present it and make this reboot work.
The Hunting Party
This NBC thriller has been pretty under the radar since it premiered. The critical reception was pretty bad while it has average ratings in the 2.2 million viewer range. That's not awful but also not promising for a show trying to survive.
The series still has potential in the mysteries of who's behind the mysterious prison and who staged a breakout of it. Yet the poor ratings and reviews may mean The Hunting Party becomes yet another mid-season NBC thriller show that ends with a whimper after one year.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit
This FOX crime show just made a shocking move, killing off a major character. The question is if this will be enough to spark it for viewers or turn them away. As season 3 just began, it's hard to judge on the ratings yet, so we don't know if it's in trouble or not.
Perhaps FOX decides this shift will justify a fourth season, and there is great potential given the new storylines. It makes a good mid-season fill-in, so Alert can sound once more.
The Cleaning Lady
Another show that just began a new season with a new story push, the crime drama has been a sleeper success for FOX that's survived the tragic passing of its leading man. The show has surprised many by going four seasons, with the latest having Eoldie Yung's character now trying to be a doctor and getting deeper into the crime life.
A fifth season may be a risk, although it could also be used as the final one to wrap up the story, as The Cleaning Lady may beat the odds once more.
Accused
The anthology series doesn't get as much attention as other shows, with season 2 having aired in fall 2024. The low ratings also make it a tricky proposition as FOX may want something that gets more eyes on it. However, the show has a few things going for it.
Because it's an anthology, they don't have to pay a regular cast, only guest stars for an episode or two. There's also how the show can present fun stories wrapped up in a single hour. That may sway FOX to have it for another short season, as the low production costs are a good factor in renewal.
Rescue: Hi-Surf
This new drama just wrapped up its first season, and Deadline reports that there is a strong possibility it will earn a second year. There are some worries given that FOX has a new reboot of Baywatch coming and having two lifeguard dramas at once is a tough proposition.
There are also the high production costs of filming in Hawaii. But Deadline adds that the show's ratings remain strong, and FOX may have it air in the summer and Baywatch in fall/winter or vice versa to balance the shows out. For now, it seems a safer bet for renewal, but I am concerned that Baywatch will get more attention and end Hi-Surf early.
Brilliant Minds
The NBC medical drama made a big push for season 2 by ending its freshman year on a cliffhanger. That's obviously hopeful for the producers with the worries of whether NBC can follow through. Sadly, while the show has massive critical acclaim and high audience scores, its actual ratings have declined since the premiere to an average of 2.19 per episode.
At the end of the day, it comes down to ratings for NBC, so despite a brilliant cliffhanger, the show may join the list of series with unresolved endings.
Found
The unique crime drama has been even better in season 2, with wild twists and turns and deepening the characters. It really seems set to end season 2 on a possible cliffhanger.
Its placement on Thursday nights behind Law & Order: SVU has helped the ratings. Right now, this seems a safer bet than others for a renewal unless NBC decides to try a new crime show on this night. Found isn't lost just yet.
The Irrational
Just wrapping up its second season, this NBC crime show has a lot going for it in star Jesse L. Martin and a different take on the criminal procedural. The second season improved on the characters and the cases and ended with a mild cliffhanger setting up a new mystery.
However, it's another case of a show with a loyal cult audience but rather low ratings, dropping more as the season has gone on (airing Tuesdays against CBS's FBI lineup doesn't help). My fingers are crossed, but it doesn't look as good for The Irrational to continue.
That's the top scorecard as of now, and it's likely it'll change as we get closer to the upfronts, so keep watching Hidden Remote for updates on what survives for network TV!