15 TV Shows That Should Have Ended Right After Season One

Updated on December 6th, 2023 by Louise Everitt: This article has been refreshed with new entries and some additional insights and trivia to keep things exciting and relevant for you. We've added new content, so revisit to see what's changed and stay informed.

15. Shut Eye

"Shut Eye" had a strong start but struggled to find a compelling direction in its second season. This situation is not uncommon in TV series where the first season is well-received but subsequent seasons fail to capture the same magic, either due to budget constraints, narrative challenges, or creative decisions.

14. Glee

What was supposed to be just a one-off thing, became a cultural behemoth; but there's no denying that with Glee, the elements the show initially tried to parody and critique have become part of its own narrative in later seasons. A shift in tone and quality alienated fans who appreciated the original satire and uniqueness of the first season.

13. Scream Queens

The shift from an anthology to a semi-anthology format due to fan attachment to the cast is a double-edged sword. It often happens that a successful first season sets high expectations that are hard to meet in subsequent seasons, especially without a clear narrative direction; and this is exactly what happened to "Scream Queens."

12. Red Oaks

"Red Oaks" is a classic case of a first season creating a complete and satisfying narrative arc that becomes diluted (or, let's be honest, ripped to shreds) in later seasons. The show's shift from a nostalgic, tightly-knit story to a broader exploration of young adults starting their careers in the 1980s lost the charm and focus that made the first season appealing.

11. The Path

This one is simple enough: the second season just did not align with the expectations set by the first. This is often a risk with shows that have a strong, unique premise – deviation from what made the first season compelling can lead to disappointment. Doesn't make it any less painful for "The Path" fans, though.

10. True Detective

Nic Pizzolatto's anthology series burst onto the scene with a poetic and haunting first season, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as detectives Rust Cohle and Martin Hart.

The mystery surrounding the occult-driven murder case was as compelling as the dynamic between the two polar opposite characters. It was sublime storytelling, peppered with philosophy, nihilism, and an atmospheric Southern Gothic setting. Then came season two. The convoluted plot and an overload of characters made it difficult to follow, let alone engage. We should have stopped at one, and kept the perfect memories intact.

9. Heroes

Save the cheerleader, save the world, was the mantra that resonated from this show, a tale of ordinary individuals with extraordinary abilities. Tim Kring's brainchild started as an inventive, engaging series with a refreshing take on the superhero genre. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon with a rabid fanbase. However, subsequent seasons couldn't maintain the momentum and the narrative became increasingly chaotic, straying from its initial charm. With characters coming back from the dead, twins with time travel abilities, and strange plot twists, the once intriguing universe of Heroes turned into a disarray of ideas. The first season, though? Now that was a world worth saving.

8. Riverdale

This modern take on Archie comics was initially a fun, campy, murder mystery that offered a darker view on the typically wholesome town of Riverdale. Creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa seamlessly wove together teenage drama and noir, providing us with a compelling first season. But as the show progressed, the plot lines grew increasingly bizarre – organ harvesting cults, juvenile prison fight clubs, not to mention the time the entire town played a dangerous Dungeons & Dragons-like game. The characters we initially empathized with became hollow caricatures. If only Riverdale had remained the small, strange town from season one.

7. The OA

Netflix 's The OA was a captivating, genre-bending experience with an expansive and imaginative first season. Co-creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij presented us with a story about interdimensional travel, coupled with themes of trauma and resilience. It was a narrative packed with questions, leaving the audience craving answers. And then season two happened. Instead of answers, we were bombarded with even more questions, more dimensions, and a sentient octopus. Yes, you heard that right. The labyrinth of a plot grew increasingly complex, and the once enchanting series turned into a cosmic conundrum that spiraled out of control.

6. Westworld

Based on the 1973 film by Michael Crichton, HBO's Westworld was a delight for all science fiction fans, presenting a dystopian theme park inhabited by AI hosts. The first season was a contemplative exploration of consciousness, free will, and morality, wrapped in a cowboy exterior. Yet, subsequent seasons seemed to swap philosophical musings for shock-value plot twists and complex timelines, often at the expense of character development. The labyrinthine narratives seemed to care more about outsmarting viewers than telling a cohesive story. Westworld could have been a concise, thought-provoking single season marvel.

5. The Killing

Originally a Danish television series, the American adaptation started with an atmospheric and engrossing murder mystery set in the rain-soaked city of Seattle. The first season was all about asking the right questions and letting the suspense grow organically. Yet, by extending the central mystery into season two and introducing new plot lines in subsequent seasons, the series seemed to lose sight of its initial appeal, with the pacing becoming laborious and the narrative redundant. A single season's worth of rainy, gritty Seattle would have been enough.

4. Sleepy Hollow

A modern day adaptation of Washington Irving's classic short story, Sleepy Hollow managed to be wonderfully eccentric and endearing in its first season. The chemistry between Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills was entertaining, and the show effectively combined elements of horror, mystery, and history. However, following seasons lost this charm, with overly complicated storylines and the untimely departure of Nicole Beharie (who played Abbie) turning the once-promising series into a hollow shell of its former self.

3. 13 Reasons Why

A heart-wrenching exploration of teen suicide, the first season of 13 Reasons Why was based on Jay Asher's young adult novel of the same name. Its strong narrative structure, centered around Hannah Baker's cassette tapes, made for a compelling watch. However, extending the series beyond its source material resulted in a loss of focus. Subsequent seasons featured school shootings, deportations, and HIV plotlines, all with questionable handling. What started as a poignant depiction of mental health and adolescence became a sensationalized drama, far removed from its first season's core.

2. Prison Break

The first season of this show was a thrill ride, packed with clever twists, intriguing characters, and the seemingly impossible mission of breaking out of Fox River State Penitentiary. However, after the successful escape, the series faltered. The following seasons revolved around several more implausible prison breaks, shadowy government conspiracies, and even resurrection. The plot became a prisoner of its own making, shackled by the pressure to recreate the magic of season one.

1. Lost

Launched with one of the most expensive pilots in TV history, Lost was a genre-defining, mind-bending, narrative puzzle. Each character was a mystery, and the Island held secrets that kept viewers hooked. Yet, as the seasons progressed, it became apparent that the show had posed more questions than it could answer. The science-fiction elements, the time travel, the 'Others', everything became a convoluted web of plot lines, often leaving fans more confused than thrilled. The first season, with its distinct survival drama coupled with an unfolding mystery, could have stood alone as an unforgettable TV experience. Instead, we got that ending and an infinity of bitterness about it.