What Led to the Abrupt Cancellations of Two Popular Shows Leaving Fans Shocked

The streaming world delivered a tough blow recently when two eagerly followed projects came to an unexpected end. Fans of clever heists and high-tech thrillers are still processing the news that ‘Leverage: Redemption’ will not return for another season on Prime Video. Meanwhile, a highly anticipated television continuation of the 2018 film ‘Upgrade’ has been completely shelved at Peacock. These decisions highlight just how quickly things can change in entertainment, even for series with dedicated audiences and strong creative momentum.

‘Leverage: Redemption’ revived the beloved TNT series ‘Leverage’ that originally ran from 2008 to 2012. The updated version brought back fan favorites like Gina Bellman as grifter Sophie Devereaux, Christian Kane as hitter Eliot Spencer, and Beth Riesgraf as thief Parker. Aldis Hodge reprised his role as hacker Alec Hardison for guest appearances, while Noah Wyle joined as lawyer Harry Wilson and Aleyse Shannon played Breanna Casey, Hardison’s tech-savvy foster sister. The show followed the team tackling modern injustices, from corporate greed to environmental issues, and wrapped its third season without a major cliffhanger yet with plenty of stories left to explore.

The cancellation news broke in December 2025, about six months after the third season finished airing. Amazon MGM Studios chose not to move forward with a fourth season, though no specific explanation was provided. Showrunner John Rogers shared with reporters that a potential next season would have delved into topics like artificial intelligence and industrial environmental damage. He also mentioned opportunities to bring back more familiar faces and deepen character backstories, making the abrupt stop feel especially frustrating for everyone involved.

On the other side, fans of intense sci-fi action were looking forward to a television sequel to Leigh Whannell’s ‘Upgrade’. The 2018 movie followed a man who receives a revolutionary implant called STEM after a brutal attack, turning him into an enhanced fighter seeking revenge. Plans for a Peacock series were announced back in 2020, with Whannell attached to direct and expand on the technology’s role in society and law enforcement. Scripts were fully written, but the project never made it past development.

Producer Tim Walsh later explained that the writer’s room opened on the very day pandemic lockdowns began. The global shutdown created massive delays, and when new leadership arrived at Peacock, the incoming executive decided to drop the series entirely. Walsh noted this kind of shift happens often when key personnel change. Whannell himself has expressed comfort with leaving the original film as a standalone cult favorite rather than revisiting it under uncertain circumstances.

Both situations remind viewers how fragile television projects can be, even ones with solid foundations and enthusiastic support. Streaming platforms frequently reassess their lineups based on internal strategies, viewership trends, and broader industry shifts. The lack of transparency around ‘Leverage: Redemption’ and the pandemic-fueled executive turnover for the ‘Upgrade’ series show different sides of the same unpredictable coin. Longtime followers are left wondering what could have been.

These cancellations have sparked plenty of conversation about the future of mid-tier streaming shows and how quickly promising ideas can disappear. Many are hoping the teams behind both projects find new homes for their stories elsewhere. The passion from the cast, creators, and audience remains strong regardless of the outcome.

Which of these cancellations surprised you the most, or do you think either show still has a chance somewhere else? Share your thoughts in the comments.