This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more television shows.
Much to the dismay of fans, several hit HBO series are ending this year. After the television network’s streaming service changed its name to Max and added new content, other projects have come to a close.
Barry ended after its fourth season, as star Bill Hader confirmed to Variety earlier this spring. While the decision to end Barry seems to have been made by the creators themselves, HBO has been canceling shows prematurely left and right.
The cancelation of hit comedy South Side, for example, was confirmed by a spokesperson to Deadline back in February. Fans are disappointed, and reacting on Twitter.
In fact, South Side fans aren’t the only fan base to be irritated by HBO’s cancellations in recent months. Ever since Max announced a merger with fellow media company Discovery+, they’ve been canceling our favorite shows left and right. And with the network raising its rates to from $14.99 to $15.99 in the past few months, you can understand why subscribers are so mad.
From Love Life and Westworld to FBoy Island and Degrassi the Next Generation, it seems no genre or show is safe, no matter how loyal of a following it has. And now there are even more shows to add to the list of fatalities. We’ve rounded up a few of the most recent (and most devastating) HBO Cancelations below:
1. Gossip Girl
OG Gossip Girl fans were so excited when they got wind of HBO Max's revival of this classic teen drama. However, the reboot has now been cancelled after just 2 seasons. Guess we'll never know what happens next for the rich New York high school students it followed—and many fans aren't happy about.
"HBO Max has canceled their best shows: Genera+ion, LEGENDARY, and now Gossip Girl! What’s the point of having HBO Max," one person tweeted. It seems many are asking themselves the same question with all of these cancelations!
2. South Side
Once a Comedy Centralshow, South Side was picked up by HBO Max for Season 2 in 2021. But it seems HBO no longer wants to carry the torch on this co medy about two recent community college grads living in Chicago. They recently announced that the upcoming fourth season will be the series' last.
One Twitter user asked the question we're all thinking: "Why is it always the good shows that get cancelled?"
3. Titans
Titans was HBO Max's take on DC's Teen Titans series, and it's just one of many superhero shows that the company has now canceled. The show had a good run of 4 seasons but was canceled on January 25, much to the dismay of many DC fans.
"It's not a surprise that HBO Max canceled #Titans, but it's disappointing that it happened as the show was just starting to figure itself out," one mourning viewer tweeted.
4. Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol is the next DC series on the list of cancelations. This show chronicled the lives of disfigured superheroes, and it lasted 4 seasons, just like Titans—in fact, HBO announced it was canceling both of these shows on the same day. Tough blow for DC lovers! However, producers of the shows reportedly knew that the fourth seasons would be the last.
That doesn't make the cancelation any easier for viewers, though. "Doom Patrol being canceled will always be one of the biggest blunders in HBO Max history," reads one Tweet from a fan.
5. Pennyworth
Just days after Doom Patrol and Titans were cancelled, fans also had to say goodbye to another show based on the DC Universe: Pennyworth. This series, based on DC Comics about a former British SAS Soldier working for Bruce Wayne's father, is coming to an end after just 3 seasons.
Of course, HBO Max has faced a fair share of backlash for this cancelation, too. "It was a great series! We loved it! Boo on you!!!!!" a passionate fan tweeted.
We can only hope there aren't too many more cancelations on the horizon.
6. Barry
Creator Bill Hader confirmed with Variety that the season 4 finale of Barry will also be the series finale. Unlike many of the other shows on this list, which were canceled at the hands of HBO, Hader and his co-creator Alec Berg decided to end the show because "a very clear ending presented itself."
Although fans are sad to see Barry come to an end, most respect the decision. "Sucks that it's the final season, but better to go out on a high note than keep making more seasons and have it fizzle out," one wrote in response to Variety's tweet about the matter.
7. Perry Mason
Just a month and a half after its successful second season finale aired, Perry Mason was cancelled. This legal drama set in 1932 stars Matthew Rhys as the titular defense lawyer character. It is also executive produced by Team Downey’s Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey.
Many fans are taking to Twitter to express their devastation over the news of the show's end. One tweeted, shortly after the cancellation news, "Perry Mason was one of the better shows HBO has put out recently. This sucks." Another agreed, writing, "Tragedy. One of the only HBO shows I enjoyed."
Someone else noted, "I think it's one of the best shows on HBO." They added, "Season 2 was excellent. I hope they can find a home elsewhere like Amazon or Hulu." (Us, too!)
8. A Black Lady Sketch Show
Earlier this month, Variety reported that the the fourth season of the Emmy-winning comedy show, A Black Lady Sketch Show, will be its final one.
The series stars Robin Thede (who also created it), Skye Townsend, Gabrielle Dennis, Ashley Nicole Black and more comedians who often took on hilarious and critically acclaimed roles in various sketches.
Notable alums of the HBO series include Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson and iCarly reboot actress Laci Mosley.
In the past few weeks, fans have taken to Twitter to share how much they loved the series and wish it could continue. "A Black Lady Sketch Show is one of the best shows in existence, I’ll fight everyone about this," one wrote while another added: "I betchu they canceled A Black Lady Sketch Show bc they knew AI could never write it."
(We'll definitely miss it!)
9. Game Theory
HBO has reportedly come to the conclusion that Game Theory with Bomani Jones will not return for a third season. As a multi-award-winning sports journalist and commentator, Jones tackles pressing topics beyond the realm of athletics on his popular program.
Since Game Theory first aired in 2022, it sadly had seen a huge drop in viewers; in fact, it lost an average of 80 percent of its lead-in viewership, according to OutKick.
Additionally, even with its second season being re-aired on TNT, it still couldn't make the top 150 cable chart. Understandably, many Twitter users voiced their dissatisfaction when they heard the news of the cancellation.
"Nooooooooo! I hadn't heard Game Theory was cancelled! That's a huge loss for HBO and for sports fans," one wrote as another added: "It really sucks that Game Theory is cancelled!"
10. The Other Two
The cult comedy show, The Other Two, will come to a close this year with its season three finale. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the ending follows multiple complaints regarding the creators and showrunners Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider throughout the show's production, however, according to several sources, there is no causal relationship between the grievances and the conclusion of the series.
The plot follows the story of two siblings in pursuit of their dreams. Aspiring actor Cary had difficulty landing any job besides "Man at Party Who Smells Fart," while his sister Brooke simply struggled with life.
As they both made efforts to better their lives, their world was thrown for a loop when their teenage brother Chase achieved internet stardom overnight.
Many fans of the show have taken to Twitter to share their disappointment at the news that the series is ending.
"Bummed The Other Two is ending, but what a great delight it's been. The funniest show on TV over the last few years, IMHO," one wrote. Another replied: "The Other Two is such a good show and it’s such a bummer it’s ending!!!"
11. Avenue 5
HBO's Armando Iannucci-created comedy series Avenue 5 was also sadly cut earlier this year, after two seasons. Initially airing in January 2020, production for Season 2 was postponed until late 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the second season ultimately released in October 2022. It featured a talented cast with Hugh Laurie, Josh Gad, Zach Woods, Rebecca Front, Suzy Nakamura, Lenora Crichlow, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Ethan Phillips.
Set in a near-future where space tourism is flourishing, Avenue 5 depicted the comedic and often chaotic environment of space exploration.
Fans on Twitter mourned the loss of the show, with one writing: "Bummer. It was a funny show." Another added of the satirical series: "Yet another show we’ll never get an ending to."
12. The Idol
The Weeknd and Sam Levinson's HBO show, The Idol, has been canceled after one season. Originally planned for six episodes, the show concluded its five-episode run earlier this summer, with the cast giving mixed reports about the possibility of a second season.
The show boasted a star-studded cast including Lily-Rose Depp, Moses Sumney, Troye Sivan, Blackpink's Jennie, and of course, The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), who contributed plenty of original music to the series.
Before its debut, the series garnered attention when director Amy Seimetz stepped down and was replaced by Levinson amidst reports of a hostile work environment on set, according to Rolling Stone. Ultimately, the show was met with mixed reviews from critics.
While many are happy to see it go, some fans on social media, however, noted that they wanted to see more of the characters. "I liked The Idol and im not afraid to speak my truth," one tweeted as another added: "Unpopular opinion but I liked the idol and fill the void takes me back to the old Weeknd vibes." Someone else chimed in: "I don’t think it should’ve been canceled I would’ve watched a Season 2."
Fans are still divided on social media after the cancelation announcement, but the aforementioned 11 shows seem to have more of a following.
