According to Deadline, Apple TV+ has decided not to renew Time Bandits, its series adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s (Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Tideland) 1981 cult classic film, for a second season. The announcement comes nearly a month after the release of the 10-episode first season, which wrapped up with a slow trickle of two episodes released weekly. While the show received favorable reviews, holding a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it ultimately did not capture a large enough audience to justify continuing.
Time Bandits, created by Jemaine Clement (Rio, gentleman Broncos, Men In Black 3), Iain Morris (The Festival, The First Team, Next Goal Wins) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Love And Thunder, Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit), brought an updated take on Gilliam’s original fantasy adventure, starring Lisa Kudrow (Friends, The Comeback, The Boss baby) in a leading role. Despite the nostalgia attached to the original film and the fresh star power of Kudrow, the show struggled to break into Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings. While the series reportedly performed well in the UK, where both the movie and series are set, it did not gather enough global viewership to meet Apple TV+’s current profitability goals.
According to Deadline, the series’ cancellation reflects broader trends in the streaming industry. After the initial rush of the so-called “streaming wars,” platforms have shifted their focus from gaining market share to ensuring profitability. This strategic shift has put high-budget productions like Time Bandits under greater scrutiny. Without meeting the required high viewership numbers, such shows are being cut to make room for more financially sustainable content.
As mentioned by Deadline, Time Bandits followed 11-year-old Kevin, played by Kal-El Tuck (Crackerjack, Andy And The Band, Unseeing Evil), who stumbles upon a time portal in his wardrobe and becomes embroiled in the adventures of a group of time-traveling thieves. The ragtag band, led by Kudrow’s character Penelope, ventured through history while facing off against dark forces. Alongside Kudrow and Tuck, the cast included Tadhg Murphy (Oddity, Boy Eats Girl, Lost In The Living, Brassic), Roger Jean Nsengiyumva (Africa United, Sixteen, You Don’t Know Me), Rune Temte (The Riot, Wild Men, Arctic Void), Charlyne Yi (Next Gen, Paper Heart, This Is 40) and Rachel House (Soul, The Mountain, Hunt For The Wilderpeople).
The series was in development for more than six years, with Apple TV+ acquiring the rights to adapt Gilliam’s film in partnership with the now-defunct Paramount Television Studios, according to Deadline. Though the adventure has ended prematurely, the series managed to pay homage to its source material while introducing the Time Bandits universe to a new generation of viewers.