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Summary
Netflixis home to some of the best original television content, but the streaming giant has often faced backlash from fans fuming over their favorite shows being canceled prematurely. Interestingly, this time, the series in question was originally from HBO Max – revived byNetflixonly to be swiftly canceled.
The show that met this unfortunate fate isScavengers Reign. Despite receiving immense critical acclaim, including a coveted100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the animated sci-fi drama couldn’t progress beyond a single season. Netflix’s decision to cancel the series has drawn heavy criticism from fans, who had renewed hopes after it migrated from HBO Max.
No Season 2 ForScavengers ReignOn Netflix
Series Creator Announces Decision
Netflix acquiredScavengers Reignin May 2024, sparking optimism among its niche but devoted fan base, who eagerly anticipated a second season. However, co-creator Joe Bennett took to Instagram to announce that the show would not be renewed. In a heartfelt post, he shared the struggles his team endured to bring their vision to life.
Season 2Might Get Renewed Elsewhere
Although Bennett’s caption didn’t mention Netflix directly, he expressed gratitude to those at HBO Max who had initially helped launch the series. Yet, there’s still a glimmer of hope forScavengers Reignfans. The showrunners remain deeply invested in the story’s continuation, as seen in Bennett’s post, which included an in-house teaser for apotential second season. Bennett revealed:
But this is not the end. There is more story to be told, we are ready to make another season, and we produced in-house at Green Street a teaser for what was going to come in the second season.
Why Did Netflix CancelScavengers Reign?
Lack Of Streaming Numbers
In his post, Bennett refrained from specifying whyNetflix canceled the show, and no official statement from Netflix has been released either. The decision is most likely due to the show’s failure in terms of viewership. According to Netflix’s engagement reports for 2023 and 2024, the first season ofScavengers Reignmanaged to get only 600,000 views (or 2.8 million hours watched). Despite all its critical praise, the series failed to make a dent in the global top 10 daily/weekly streaming charts.
Previous Failure On HBO Max
Sadly, this marks the second time in the same year thatScavengers Reignhas been let down by a streaming platform. The show firstpremiered on HBO Maxin October 2023, but was canceled in May 2024. Netflix then took a chance on the series, with the unspoken expectation that it would make an impact in the limited regions where it streamed.Speaking toWhat’s On Netflixright after the acquisition, executive producer Sean Buckelew expressed his measured optimism about the show’s chances:
I think that it’s just whether or not it’s received well by their audience. […] I think for us; it’s like Blue Eye Samurai and Arcane and all these shows that we think like, if you like that show, you’re able to roll straight into Scavengers, and you’ll like it too. […] I would say our messaging right now is mainly just like this: the more people watch it now, the more likely it is that it’ll expand and season and everything else.
What IsScavengers ReignAbout?
Plot Details & Praise
Scavengers Reignfollows the survivors of a damagedinterstellar cargo ship,Demeter 227, stranded on Vesta – a dangerous but visually stunning alien planet. Split into separate groups, they face numerous challenges before their paths converge near the crash site. The show’s intricate world-building and atmospheric storytelling were widely celebrated. Critics have hailedScavengers Reignas one of the most original pieces of science fiction in recent memory, and audiences have been thrilled with the story. Even veteran filmmakerGuillermo del Torois aScavengers Reignfan:
Generally, the science fiction genre portraysalien worldsas similar to Earth, with only minor variations in the planet’s rules or living conditions. Alternatively, it veers completely off-track, depicting fully hostile, desolate environments devoid of life. What makesScavengers Reignunique and special is the way it builds the world of Vesta. The planet is both beautiful and life-threatening, mainly because human life has never existed in such a world – yet it’s still home toawe-inspiring flora and fauna.
Future Of Adult Animation In Streaming
So, what went wrong? Perhaps the show’s beginnings were too humble for it to let it grow any further. First, it started as a Toonami short film in 2016 before beingdropped by Adult Swim. Then, HBO Max rescued it, but also shares responsibility for its early demise, which Netflix only compounded with the debacle at hand.
The real problem lies in the dog-eat-dog streaming market and its urgency to boost viewership. Shows that get off to a slow start often don’t get the chance to reach wider audiences before being shut down. The success of shows likeArcanemakes it seem as if thedemand for adult animationis booming. However, any animation project not made for kids is still considered a gamble in today’s streaming numbers game. Let’s hope studios likeNetflixrethink their focus on short-term results and allow shows likeScavengers Reignto thrive in the long run.
