Netflix is known for cranking out binge-worthy shows, but it also has a well-earned reputation for canceling series too soon. Many fan-favorite titles have been canceled over the years and without any notice, leaving fans frustrated.
Some cancellations still sting though, and one of the most painful was that of I Am Not Okay With This, which ended its promising run with a cliffhanger after just seven short episodes. Even now, years later, fans are angry about the choice.
A Series With Great Potential Was Too Quickly Shut Down
‘I Am Not Okay With This’ premiered on Netflix in 2020, and soon garnered a passionate following. The series, which was based on Charles Forsman’s graphic novel, focused on Syd, a teenager grappling with puberty, mental health and the discovery of her own superpowers. The show combined drama, dark humor and supernatural elements, making it a unique and compelling addition to Netflix’s offerings.
Season 2 was number one on Netflix’s list of most binge-watched shows last year, and the streamer had the gall to greenlight a second season, teasing fans. But the streaming giant abruptly canceled production, all thanks to production costs amid COVID-19. Many feel that was an undeserved choice, and when Netflix itself was the one who claimed the series to be like Stranger Things, it created high hopes for its performance.
A Never-Resolved Cliffhanger
Adding to the frustration of the cancellation was the incomplete story line. A big twist at the end of the season suggested a mystical force or force outside of Syd was observing her, and questioned the legitimacy of her powers. No explanation, no sense of closure, and fans hanging.
Unlike certain canceled shows that have been reignited because of fan demand, ‘I Am Not Okay With This’ wasn’t offered another shot. Viewers can always read the original graphic novel, from 2005, but the beauty of a cast in the show and a story told like a show doesn’t really come across in the book.
Will the Show Ever Return?
Fans have held out hope that Netflix would bring the series back to life, as it has done with other shows. But the odds are not favorable. One big thing is the passage of time — Sophia Lillis, who played Syd, was a teenager during filming, and now years later it would be hard to lock down continuity.”
Creative storytelling probably could have figured out a way to work around this, but the best moment for the show to continue would have been right after Season 1. Netflix’s decision, alas, was to kill that hope and leave fans hanging empty.
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