4 TV shows that will probably be cancelled in 2023

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn became something of an overnight sensation when it premiered back in 2019 as one of the last original TV shows of the DC Universe streaming service, airing two seasons pretty close together. The animated series’ popularity saw it avoid the axe when DC Universe evolved out of the streaming game as it joined its live-action counterparts in jumping to HBO Max – where it finally aired its long-awaited third season last year.

It’s important to note that Harley Quinn will return for its fourth season later this year. The show shocked everyone when it was renewed at a time when HBO Max and DC properties were being cancelled left, right, and center. That’s an indicator of how popular it is, as is the fact that it’s airing a Valentine’s Day Special this year.

Hopefully, that will be enough to ensure it will return for a fifth season next year, but we’d be lying if we said there weren’t concerns about the show’s future. Very few DC properties remain on our screens after last year, and with its fellow DC Universe originals Stargirl, Titans, Doom Patrol, and Young Justice all being cancelled within the past six months, is the writing on the wall for Harley Quinn?

Moreover, now that new DC Studios chairmen and CEOs, James Gunn and Peter Safran, have announced a joint shared universe across film and TV (including animation), Harley Quinn‘s days might be numbered (since it’s already set in a pre-established universe different to the upcoming DC cinematic Universe). Yes, there’s a place on the DC slate for Elseworlds titles, but Harley Quinn wasn’t mentioned in any of those conversations (while fellow animated series Teen Titans GO! was).

The show is a critical darling and a fan-favorite. Cancelling it would be a huge mistake, but so was cancelling all of the other DC shows that fans adored.