NBC Cancels ‘Brilliant Minds’ After Two Seasons Despite 88% Rotten Tomatoes Rating

NBC is making significant changes to its programming lineup, resulting in the cancellation of two recent shows. As reported by Variety, the network has decided to end the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons, along with the comedy Stumble, which lasted just one season.

Brilliant Minds draws inspiration from the works of neurologist Oliver Sacks, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars. The series followed Dr. Oliver Wolf, portrayed by Zachary Quinto, and his team at Bronx General Hospital as they navigated unusual and complex brain-related medical cases. It also delved into ethical dilemmas surrounding patient care and treatment decisions.

The show premiered in September 2024 and continued its first season into early 2025. Its second season debuted in September 2025 but experienced a decline in viewership. NBC pulled it from its schedule in February, although six remaining episodes are still scheduled to air starting May 27.

In addition to Quinto, the cast featured Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Teddy Sears, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, Brian Altemus, and Al Calderon. The series was created by Michael Grassi, with Greg Berlanti and others serving as executive producers.

The other canceled show, Stumble, was a comedy centered around junior college cheerleading. It followed a renowned cheer coach, played by Jenn Lyon, who loses her job due to a scandal and takes a new role at a junior college in Oklahoma. There, she attempts to rebuild her career by leading a struggling team toward a championship.

The show premiered in November and concluded its run in March. While it received positive reviews from critics, it failed to attract enough viewers to warrant a second season. The cast included Taran Killam, Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, Georgie Murphy, and Kristin Chenoweth in a recurring role.

Stumble was created by Jeff Astrof and Liz Astrof, with Jeff Blitz directing several episodes, including the pilot.

With these cancellations, NBC still has several shows awaiting decisions, including The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins and The Hunting Party. The network is also in the process of developing new pilots for the upcoming TV season, including a reboot of The Rockford Files and a new comedy from Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici.

NBC’s decision illustrates how swiftly networks are adjusting their schedules based on ratings and audience engagement, even for shows backed by strong creative teams and well-known actors.

This situation highlights the instability of contemporary TV scheduling. Even programs featuring respected actors or strong critical support are at risk if viewership declines. It raises the question of whether networks are too hasty in canceling shows before they have a chance to build an audience. What are your thoughts on NBC’s decision to cancel these series?