6 great TV shows cancelled too soon (and 5 that ran too long)

DC’s Stargirl

Seasons: 3

DC’s Stargirl is one of the highest-quality shows to air on TV over the past decade. I’m not embellishing on that, it truly was too big for mainstream television. The show was initially an original for the DC Universe streaming service, which is why it boasts such a cinematic feel and such high production values. When that service ceased to exist as a streamer, the show’s popularity on The CW made the TV network a perfect choice to house it. And thus it received two more seasons.

The beauty of Stargirl is that it knew how to play the long game. It wasn’t bound by the constrictions of network TV and thus treated each of its seasons as well-paced mini movies that all tied into a larger storyline. As a result, all three of its seasons were incredibly high quality standalone entries that all benefitted the larger story of the Justice Society of America.

This ultimately worked in its favor when The CW’s new owners Nexstar decided not to renew it for a fourth season (in spite of strong ratings) as it never felt unfinished. In fact, it’s series finale was one of Stargirl‘s greatest episodes, serving as a phenomenal conclusion to an equally phenomenal season and the perfect end to a wonderful series. It left us wanting more, but in the right kind of way.

The only problem is that there was a six-season plan in place, and The CW’s decision to cancel it remains among the most questionable decisions it has made over the past two years.

Verdict: Cancelled too soon