Netflix original series may want to watch their back, as the streaming service has been on a cancellation spree of late. Variety reports that the latest to get the axe is Sense8, the sci-fi drama from the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski. The series lasted 2 seasons, with the second season premiering on May 5th, which means Netflix gave the show about a month to gain traction with season 2 before deciding to pull the plug.
“After 23 episodes, 16 cities and 13 countries, the story of the Sense8 cluster is coming to an end,” said Netflix VP of original content Cindy Holland. “It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kick ass, and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world. We thank Lana, Lilly, Joe and Grant for their vision, and the entire cast and crew for their craftsmanship and commitment.”
The news of Sense8‘s cancellation comes just a week after Netflix decided not to go forward with second season of Baz Luhrmann’s disco drama The Get Down, which was one of the most expensive shows on television at a whopping $120 million budget. Over the last few months Netflix also canceled Marco Polo and Bloodline, though both were luckier than The Get Down in making it past one season. Cancellations are likely to become even more common for Netflix, judging from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings recent comments to CNBC. According to Hastings, Netflix should be cancelling more shows, but too many of them have been successful, which sounds like a pretty high-class problem to have. “Our hit ratio is way too high right now,” said Hastings. “So, we’ve canceled very few shows…I’m always pushing the content team: We have to take more risk; you have to try more crazy things. Because we should have a higher cancel rate overall.”
Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers who find themselves mysteriously linked to each other mentally, as they all must work together to keep one step ahead of the people who find them to be dangerous. The series starred Tuppence Middleton, Brian J. Smith, Doona Bae, Aml Ameen, Max Riemelt, Tina Desai, Miguel Angel Silvestre, and Jamie Clayton. The Wachowskis and Straczynski executive produced along with Grant Hill.