A popular TV show that was canceled despite having a dedicated fanbase might get a second chance, as Netflix has decided to add it to its lineup.
Last year, a wrestling drama series with an impressive 8.0 rating on IMDb was canceled by Starz, a cable and satellite TV network owned by Lionsgate.
A source close to Starz’s decision-making process told TheWrap that the show, titled Heels, “unfortunately did not find a large enough audience” to justify renewing it for more episodes.
The cancellation sparked outrage among fans. One Twitter user expressed their frustration: “HEELS CANCELED WTF ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOWS PEACOCK SHOULD PICK IT UP OR EVEN NETFLIX COME ON SO MAD KINDA SAD NOW WE NEVER KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO *****.”
While I’ve censored the character name to avoid spoilers, it’s interesting to note that this user had suggested Netflix as a potential savior for the show last September.
Well, @IconDonaway, Netflix seems to have taken your advice.
In April, Heels was licensed to Netflix by Lionsgate Worldwide Television Distribution, and now, five months later, it has appeared on the streaming platform.
However, this doesn’t guarantee a third season. The show’s future likely depends on how well it performs on Netflix, so fans might want to encourage their friends and family to watch it.
The series centers on two brothers, Jack Spade, played by Stephen Amell, and Ace Spade, portrayed by Alexander Ludwig, who wrestle for control of their late father’s wrestling promotion company.
In the ring, one brother plays the villain, known as a “heel” in wrestling terms, while the other is the hero.
The first two seasons, each consisting of eight episodes, were compelling enough to earn a near-perfect score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fans took to social media to voice their desire for more. One user tweeted: “Please make a season 3 @netflix.”
Another added: “Give us season 3.”
Yet another pleaded: “Please @netflix we need season 3 make it happen thanks.”
The requests kept coming: “Great show, we need season 3.”
And again: “Season 3. season 3. give us season 3.”
Netflix’s acquisition of Heels comes just in time to generate interest in wrestling before WWE’s Monday Night Raw joins the platform in January, as part of a massive $5 billion rights deal.
This move will make Netflix the home of WWE’s weekly Raw program for the next five years, with an option to extend the contract until 2045 if desired.