Skip to main content

ABC goes on cancellation rampage, axes multiple long-running shows

All good things must come to an end, but that knowledge may not do much to console fans of three particular TV shows. ABC went ax-happy, with Agent CarterCastle, and Nashville falling victim, along with the short-lived mocumentary series, The Muppets. The network announced the cancellations today, along with the renewals of American Crime, The Real O’Neals, and The Catch.

Of the four canceled shows, Castle had the longest run at eight seasons. The procedural centered on mystery novelist Richard Castle (played by Nathan Fillion) and NYPD homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) as they investigated murders and developed a romance. The move saves the network from seeing if the show can survive Katic’s departure, which was announced last month. The series finale will air on May 16.

Recommended Videos

Nashville lasted for a noteworthy four seasons and seemed like it may survive into a fifth, prior to ABC’s announcement. Starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere as country superstars, the drama looked at the ups and downs of the musicians’ careers and personal lives. The final episode is scheduled for May 25.

The Muppets, a grown-up take on the beloved creatures from the mind of Jim Henson, was cut after just one season. Showing a behind the scenes look at a TV show starring the iconic characters — a la The Office and 30 Rock — the series never seemed to gain traction, even with a train of celebrity guest stars like Dave Grohl.

Marvel’s Agent Carter won over critics but not the large audience that it needed to avoid being axed. The superhero series ran for two seasons and followed Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) as she led the double-life of a secret agent in the 1940s. Season 2 had already wrapped, with the final episode airing on March 1. Given that Netflix has found success with other Marvel characters, there are already calls for the streaming network to save the series.

Viewers may or may not be consoled by today’s renewals, which will bring American Crime into its third season, and both The Real O’Neals and The Catch into their second. We can’t blame any fans who need a little time to grieve — or start online petitions. RIP, Agent CarterCastle, and Nashville.

Updated 5/13/2016 by Ryan Waniata: Added another cancellation in ABC series The Muppets.

Stephanie Topacio Long
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
3 underrated movies on Hulu you need to watch in June 2025
The cast of Predators.

The Predator franchise gains another entry this month on Hulu. Predator: Killer of Killers is a new adult animated anthology from Prey director Dan Trachtenberg. Killer of Killers explores the lives of three warriors — a Viking raider, a Japanese ninja, and a World War II pilot — and their battles against a Predator. The critically acclaimed movie is now streaming.

Speaking of the Predator franchise, one of our picks for underrated movies to watch this month is Predators, which stars two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody. Check out Predators and two more underrated movies on Hulu.

Read more
3 great Max crime dramas you should watch in June 2025
Robert De Niro stands under casino lights in Casino.

Max, HBO Max, whatever it's called. Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service remains one of the best places to go if you're looking for a movie. The streaming service has never fully figured out how to make sure that its subscribers can actually see everything available there, though, which is why we've pulled together a list of three great crime movies that you can watch now.

Whatever flavor of crime movie you're looking for, you should be able to find it on this list. Check them out below:

Read more
3 action movies on Netflix you need to watch in June 2025
Four men sit down against a fence and stare.

What's populating the action genre on Netflix? Sicario: Day of the Soldado, the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's Sicario, is being featured on the action homepage. While not as effective as its predecessor, Day of the Soldado features another terrific performance from Benicio del Toro as Alejandro Gillick. 

Add Soldado to your Netflix queue this month. But first, stream one of our three recommendations below. Our picks include a crime thriller from one of Boston's most famous figures, a feature film adaptation of an espionage TV show, and a Mount Rushmore buddy comedy. 

Read more