Warning: This post contains spoilers for Stargirl’s season 3 finale
After a three-season run that began on the now-defunct DC Universe streaming service, Stargirl isn’t moving forward with season 4 at The CW, and there are reasons why it was shelved after only a short run. At the end of October 2022, The CW announced Stargirl was being cancelled. Though saddening, the news wasn’t a surprise considering Arrowverse staples Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow were axed earlier in the spring.
When Stargirl’s cancellation was first announced, there was no one particular reason given as to why the show was ending its three-season run on The CW. However, the network, which was home to the critically acclaimed Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, was no longer what it once was in its heyday. CW CEO Mark Pedowitz stepped down in October 2022 after over a decade in the role, and with the tides shifting, it seemed like only a matter of time before Stargirl was pulled under tow.
Stargirl Season 4's Cancellation Is Most Likely Due To The CW's Future
The CW was home to the Arrowverse and its many superhero spin-offs for several years. However, 2022 saw some big changes for the network, with Nexstar Media Group acquiring The CW. This change, as well as Nexstar’s interest in engaging with a different demographic than The CW’s, saw the unprecedented cancellation of the majority of the network’s series, including DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Roswell, New Mexico. Ultimately, Nexstar wanted to take The CW in a different direction, and remaining shows like Stargirl didn’t fit the bill any longer.
There’s also the shake-up at Warner Bros., which produced the majority of The CW’s shows and which was acquired by Discovery, to account for. Stargirl’s ratings weren’t awful by CW standards, but they were not as high as the network’s most popular shows, including fellow superhero series The Flash, which received a ninth and final season earlier this year. But with DC properties taking the brunt of the studio and network changes, Stargirl managed to fly under the radar for a while — until it didn’t.
How Stargirl Season 3 Avoided An Ending Problem
While the cancellations for the other Arrowverse shows came as more of a surprise — and there was a hope they might be renewed — Stargirl had the advantage of knowing a potential cancellation was coming. With that in mind, the writers crafted two endings for the show, and filmed both of them. One ending was shot for if the superhero series got picked up, likely one that included a cliffhanger, while another was shot to serve as a series finale, wrapping up the overarching storyline. The foresight to film two endings means fans won’t have to wonder what comes next in Stargirl’s story, allowing viewers closure regarding the characters and their journeys.
What’s more, Stargirl not only avoided an ending problem, but it was able to close out its story on its own terms, with a planned ending befitting a series finale. In the world of television — and more recently, within the Arrowverse and DC at large — the ability to craft a final chapter that ties up the loose story threads without being abruptly cancelled is a rarity. Stargirl was able to wrap everything up, with the notion that these characters would carry on being the JSA, without leaving the audience hanging regarding what’s next.
What Stargirl Season 4's Story Could've Been
Stargirl wraps up its season 3 storylines fairly neatly, but there a few plot threads season 4 could have picked up, including the search for Sylvester Pemberton’s (aka, the real Starman) brain, which was hidden in an unknown mountain. It’s revealed that Sylvester was ultimately saved by the Justice Society of America, but the details of the rescue could’ve been expanded upon in Stargirl season 4. In the future, The Shade confirms the JSA saved the Seven Soldiers of Victory by beating Nebula Man. It’s meant as a DC Easter egg, but it’s possible Stargirl season 4 could have explored how the team went about rescuing them.
Will Stargirl Ever Return?
Fans likely haven’t seen the last of Stargirl and her JSA team. The Arrowverse popularized superhero crossovers, and it’s possible Stargirl will finally appear on another DC show, likely making her crossover debut on HBO Max’s Titans. Stargirl’s Brec Bassinger was pictured with a few of Titans' cast members during the filming of season 4, episode 7, which suggests Stargirl will appear in at least one episode, though the nature of her appearance and how it ties into the story is still unclear.
This makes sense considering Stargirl, Titans, and Doom Patrol are the odd ones out when it comes to the Arrowverse. With Titans and Doom Patrol having already crossed over, it’s only right that Stargirl gets to do the same, and Titans' showrunner has already teased her appearance. And who knows? The JSA's leader could appear elsewhere in the world of DCTV. With Batwoman appearing once more on The Flash despite having her show cancelled, and David Ramsey reprising his role as John Diggle several times, proving his longevity beyond Arrow’s ending, it’s really a never say never situation regarding Stargirl’s future.