Lovecraft Country is among the most nominated Emmy series at the 2021 Emmy Awards, but was sadly canceled after one season. Many other great shows from the past have been nominated for Emmys after getting the ax, but Lovecraft Country is not even the only such show this season.
Canceled shows can and do win Emmys after the end of their runs since their last production year is eligible for recognition. It's often a way to acknowledge the art and value of a show, which may be critically acclaimed but not performing to expectations in terms of ratings or viewership.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
Lovecraft Country left a lot of unanswered questions for season two after its cancelation by HBO. There is no question about the love for the show from the Emmys, which bestowed a total of 18 nominations on the series, including nominations for Lead Actor and Actress In A Drama Series for Jonathan Majors (Tic) and Jurnee Smollett (Leti).
Other nominations include Courtney B. Vance for Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Though the show won't continue, it may have a huge night at the Emmys in September.
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020-2021)
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist features a number of outstanding song performances in the series, which was canceled by NBC after two seasons.
The show, which starred Jane Levy in the title role, earned five total nominations for its last season, including acknowledgment of its musical artistry. The show was nominated for Outstanding Music Direction, Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics, Outstanding Choreography For Scripted Programming, and more.
American Crime (2015-2017)
American Crime was an anthology crime drama that ran between 2015-2017 on ABC. The show, which starred Regina King, was canceled in its third season but received two major nominations for its final production year.
King was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and Felicity Huffman was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. The show also earned nominations and wins for its previous seasons.
Picket Fences (1992-1996)
Picket Fences ran on CBS for four seasons between 1992-1995. When it was canceled after the fourth season, it still received three nominations. Kathy Baker was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Ray Walston for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and Louise Fletcher for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Walston and Baker won their nominations, and the series was very successful overall in regards to the Emmys. Over the lifetime of the series, the show received 27 nominations and won 14 times. The show was a quirky dramedy that followed a group of characters as odd events happened.
Thirtysomething (1987-1991)
Thirtysomething explored the lives of a number of characters in their thirties, resulting in one of the best found-family TV shows ever. The show was canceled by ABC after four seasons in 1991 and was nominated for a number of awards, including Outstanding Drama Series.
Though it didn't win that award, Patrica Wettig won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Nancy, and Timothy Busfield won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The show won a total of 13 awards across its run.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009)
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was canceled after two seasons by Fox, interrupting a unique exploration of The Terminator mythos.
The series was nominated for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series in 2009 for its final season. The show had been nominated for three awards in its first season, all associated with its special effects. The show features a different take on the timeline of the franchise, with a new Terminator, Cameron, sent back in time to protect John Connor and his mother Sarah.
China Beach (1988-1991)
China Beach ran for four seasons on ABC before it was canceled in 1991. The show starred Dana Delaney, who voiced the Phantasm in The Mask Of The Phantasm (one of the best Batman movies ever), as a nurse during the Vietnam War.
Delaney won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1992 for the last season. The show was also nominated for other awards, including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The show was nominated for a number of Emmys over its run, with Delaney winning again in 1989.
Cagney & Lacey (1981-1988)
Cagney & Lacey starred Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless as NYPD detectives solving crimes. Daly won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1988, the final season of the show. The show was canceled in 1988 after seven seasons on CBS. There would be a series of TV movies in the 90s.
The show was actually canceled twice before. CBS canceled the show due to low ratings after its first season, and then again for the same reason after its third. Fan support brought it back both times and the show would win 14 Emmys over its lifetime.
Taxi (1978-1983)
Taxi ran for five years, four of which aired on ABC and the final season on NBC. After NBC canceled it for low ratings, it was still nominated for a number of Emmy Awards in 1983 including Outstanding Comedy Series.
The show actually won three times before in the category but lost in the final season. Actor Judd Hirsch won for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series and Carol Kane won for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy, Variety Or Music series.
Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
Pushing Daisies was canceled after two seasons by ABC, but was nominated and won for a number of Emmy Awards in its final season.
Kristin Chenoweth won for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series in 2009 for her role as Olive Snook in the visually pleasing dark comedy. The show also won that year for Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series. In just two seasons, the show won six awards on 16 nominations.