Netflix Cancels Five Series, Renews One, as ‘Julie and the Phantoms’ Still Awaits Word on Its Future

In the past few days Netflix has made decisions on the bulk of its comedy series awaiting word on their future. Netflix made the decision to cancel five of these series and renew one.

Netflix first announced the cancellation of the new multi-camera comedy series, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! Starring Jamie Foxx and David Alan Grier, the series was inspired by Jamie Foxx’s real life relationship with his own daughter. One season consisting of 8 episodes was released.

Also cancelled was the Kevin James starring multi-camera comedy series, The Crew. The series followed a NASCAR crew chief and his tight-knit racing team who gets a reality check when a new boss steps in and shakes things up. The series aired one season, but Netflix also announced Kevin James would be developing a new single camera comedy series for him to also star in. 

Country Comfort, starring Katharine McPhee and Eddie Cibrian was also cancelled. The multi-camera series followed an aspiring country singer who finds new life as a nanny for a handsome widower and his five children. The series was interrupted by the pandemic, then Katharine McPhee’s real life pregnancy which they were able to shoot around. It aired one season. 

After airing three parts over two seasons, Mr. Iglesias was also cancelled. Starring Gabriel Iglesias, the multi-camera series followed Gabriel Iglesias as a High School teacher who tries to make a difference in the lives of some smart but under performing students at his alma mater. Netflix has another upcoming stand-up special, keeping Gabriel Iglesisas in the Netflix fold. 

Joining these series in cancellation is Bonding, a single camera comedy inspired by the real life story of creator Rightor Doyle. The series followed a young man as he takes the job of an assistant for his friend, a dominatrix, for two seasons. It was announced Doyle also signed a development deal with Netflix. 

After having initial success with their comedy offerings including Grace & Frankie, Fuller House and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix has struggled to find many successful comedy series on their streaming platform. Most of their recent series have produced only a few seasons at most. 

The one series that did get a renewal and second season on Netflix is recent multi-camera comedy series, The Upshaws, starring Mike Epps, Kim Fields and Wanda Sykes. The series follows a working-class Black family in Indiana as they strive for a better life while juggling everyday struggles. The series received an increased episode order of 16 episodes, likely to be split in two parts, after an initial season of 10 episodes. 

While these series learned their fates, one series still awaiting word is musical comedy/drama series Julie and the Phantoms. Originally released in September 2020, it remains one of the few outstanding series with no word on its future at the streaming network. In recent days it won three Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Original Song “Unsaid Emily”. It was also nominated three more times for the second round of Daytime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Young Adult Series, Supporting Actor for Cheyenne Jackson, and Younger Performer for Madison Reyes, giving the series 13 total nominations.

Starring newcomer Madison Reyes, who shines every moment on screen, Julie and the Phantoms follows Julie, a young girl who lost her passion for music when she lost her mom. Three ghostly guys appear in her life and lift her spirits, leading them to start a new band together. The series is based on the Brazilian television series Julie e os Fantasmas. The series has a lot of heart, emotions and great music. It was a series highlight of mine in 2020!

Fans have remained worried that no word on the renewal of the series is a bad sign for a potential second season. Hopefully with the recent Emmy wins, additional nominations and fan outcry for more, Netflix will give fans good news soon on the future of the series

Julie and the Phantoms, The Upshaws, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, The Crew, Country Comfort, Mr. Iglesias and Bonding can all be streamed on Netflix.