Why exactly did Hulu cancel High Fidelity after just one season? Starring Zoë Kravitz, the modern update of Nick Hornby's novel (and the 2000 feature film adaption) released on Valentine's Day 2020 and earned positive reviews. So, why did executives cut the cord on a show that was beloved by both critics and streamers?
For the Hulu version of High Fidelity, Kravitz replaces John Cusack in the main role as a New York City record store owner. The gender swap allowed for a different perspective, and the overall storyline expanded upon the original movie with 10 binge-worthy episodes. Alongside Kravitz as Rob, Kingsley Ben-Adir offers a solid amount of star power as love interest Russell "Mac" McCormack, while supporting players like Jake Lacy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and David H. Holmes diversified the cast while providing comic relief. High Fidelity was adapted for television by Veronica West and Sarah Kucserka, both of whom previously worked together as writers for ABC's Ugly Betty.
Per Deadline, Hulu's decision to cancel High Fidelity "was not easy and came after lengthy deliberations." The streaming service hasn't cited one specific reason for ending the series, though the viewing numbers were presumably less than ideal. For example, Netflix canceled the animated series Tuca & Bertie in 2019, despite the series being a huge critical hit, because viewing numbers were low. Tuca & Bertie has since been picked up by Adult Swim, so there's reason to believe that High Fidelity could be revived elsewhere for season 2; however, that possibility is reportedly a "long shot." Fans expressed their disappointment on social media after the news broke, and Kravitz also acknowledged the cancellation on Instagram with a thank-you message.
High Fidelity season 1 was originally scheduled to air on Disney+, but it was moved to Hulu because of the mature thematic content. The series became an immediate hit, primarily due to Kravitz's lead performance (her mother Lisa Bonet appears in the original film), and later gained cultural momentum when locked-down streamers had a chance to check out the entirety of the series. The relatively brief episodes allowed for a one-day binge, and the eclectic series soundtrack introduced viewers to music that would be typically be found in a traditional record stores. The normalcy of High Fidelity season 1 connected with viewers through its exploration of modern relationships, and how music plays a role in the overall process.
Given that Kravitz will soon enter the next phase of career by portraying Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman in The Batman, it seems unlikely that she'll commit to a second season of High Fidelity. Still, there's potential for an anthology approach with a new cast, which could either take place in the not-so-distant past or perhaps in a post-pandemic world. Whatever the case, the record store premise could be tweaked in a variety of ways, and would undoubtedly appeal to performers of different ages.