Netflix's Resident Evil TV show has been canceled after one season. Resident Evil, which debuted this year, marked the most recent adaptation of the Capcom video game series of the same name. Previously, several movies have been created in the franchise, but the series deviated from those films due to its setting in a different universe than the films and games. However, some game characters and plot lines made their way into the fold of the television series.
Despite making Netflix's top 5 viewed TV shows earlier this month, Resident Evil had some of the lowest Rotten Tomatoes audience ratings out of all the streaming platform's original series. Critic reactions were slightly better, but also mixed. The chief complaints about the series pointed to plot holes, clichés, and pacing issues. Though the series took a unique approach to the material by putting a YA spin on the horror classic, it seems that the Andrew Dabb-created series had to do more to win audiences over.
In an unfortunate but perhaps inevitable turn of events, Deadline has confirmed that Resident Evil has been officially canceled by Netflix after its premiere season. Despite Dabb previously discussing narrative plans that would take Resident Evil through a couple more seasons, season 2 has been axed. The move ultimately makes sense since the series fell out of the Netflix top 10 after a mere three weeks.
Though the news doesn't come as much of a surprise, it is disappointing to see a series that worked to honor the roots of the franchise while also doing something original and unique with the YA spin get cut off so soon. Perhaps another season or two would have helped the series get into a groove, but the way Netflix currently operates makes it difficult for a new series to survive an early slump as Resident Evil experienced. Despite the series being canceled, it's not much of a loss for Netflix since many of the series Resident Evil was competing with were other Netflix originals such as Stranger Things and Sweet Tooth.
Netflix's rendition of Resident Evil may have been canceled, but there is plenty more in the franchise for fans to enjoy. And though it's unlikely for future projects in that realm to attempt the ultimately unsuccessful YA angle that Netflix tried since it didn't appeal to viewers used to the more mature tone and characters of the franchise, perhaps another unique take on the stories of Resident Evil is in the cards. For now, fans of the franchise can look forward to the next Resident Evil game, which is likely coming in 2024.
Source: Deadline