The dust has settled on the renewal / cancellation season and the fall TV schedules have been unveiled. Yep, that can only mean one thing: Upfronts Week has come and gone. In its wake, we've lost a number of beloved shows as the broadcast networks made their minds up about which programs they want in their line-up next season... and which ones they don't. As always, it was a big week for CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC.
But not all of the cancellations happened this year. As we look ahead to the next TV season, we need to remember that a number of shows that aired as part of this season were actually cancelled last year. They still aired episodes during the 2024 - 2025 TV season, but they simply won't do so again in the next one. And that's not the only reason that we won't see some of our favorite shows back before the end of the year either.
From unanticipated cancellations to a various few being held for midseason, here are some shows you shouldn't expect to see return in 2025.
911: Lone Star
Reason: Ended / Cancelled
The 911 universe is expanding over at ABC with the arrival of 911: Nashville in the fall (which joins the mothership show), but unfortunately the original spinoff 911: Lone Star won't be a part of that era. The show ended its five season run on FOX earlier this year after it suffered a similar fate to its parent series. But while ABC was there to save 911, it wasn't able to do the same for Lone Star (both in part due to a packed schedule and production costs that were too high).
The good news is that the creatives knew ahead of filming the final season that it likely wouldn't return and wrote it as a farewell for the show. It couldn't make the most of that opportunity as it missed the presence of Sierra McClain's Grace Ryder and it once again relied too heavily on Rob Lowe's Owen Strand, but we couldn't help but watch those final few episodes knowing that we would miss the heroes of the 126 the moment that the credits rolled on the series finale.
Now, if we can get TK and Carlos to move to Nashville or LA, that would be pretty great!
Superman and Lois
Reason: Ended
Superman and Lois is the last of its kind in multiple ways. The final chapter in the broadcast TV era of DC superheroes, it was also the last remaining show on The CW from the previous management (before Nexstar took over and flooded the network with sports and acquisitions). There's a reason for that, as the show is a beloved gem that spotlighted Tyler Hoechlin's Man of Steel and Elizabeth Tulloch's Lois Lane as the pair raised their twin boys in Smallville, away from the noise of Metropolis.
The show aired its fourth and final season last year, proving itself as a real force in the superhero community one more time with a daring series finale that offered up an unexpected final chapter to Superman's story. It was lucky to get a final season as the changes in leadership at both The CW and Warner Bros. very quickly left its days numbered, but it defied the odds - and some budget cuts - to produce a thoughtful and ambitious series finale that once again solidified Superman and Lois as one of the best ever adaptations of these classic characters' stories.
The CW, and indeed the 2025 - 2026 TV calendar, is worse off without it.
Doctor Odyssey
Reason: Not yet renewed or cancelled (but absent from ABC's fall schedule)
It goes without saying that Doctor Odyssey was one of this season's most intriguing new additions. Part medical drama, part comedy, part what-the-heck-is-this?!, it stars Joshua Jackson as the dashing new doctor aboard Don Johnson's famous ship, The Odyssey. Throughout that time, viewers are treated to the most outrageous theme weeks, unexpected medical conditions that they have absolutely googled to make sure aren't fake, and even some guest appearances from Shania Twain! Seriously, Doctor Odyssey has it all.
In spite of all that, the show is ABC's only outing not to have its fate decided during the renewal and cancellation window. It was thought that Upfronts might bring an announcement on its fate, but instead viewers were given an update that suggests the future of the show is in the hands of producer Ryan Murphy, who has been very busy with multiple shows for the past 15 years. And given that he wrote six of the first season's 18 episodes, it's probably safe to say that a potential season 2 would also require the same level of attention from him. Can one of the busiest producers in television make that happen?
If Doctor Odyssey does return, however, it will be held to midseason. ABC has confirmed which shows will air on which night by unveiling its fall schedule. So if the Odyssey does decide to set sail again, viewers will have to wait to 2026.
The Rookie
Reason: Held for midseason (2026)
Don't worry, The Rookie season 8 is still happening... it just won't be making its presence felt on screens until 2026. The show, which has outlived its concept about a rookie police officer, has become a fixture of the ABC schedule throughout the past decade (unsurprisingly so) and it will remain so this season... even if we have to wait until next year for new episodes.
There will be some changes come season 8, but you can bet that audiences will still be tuning in to see what the new season has in store for them, as well as John Nolan, Angela Lopez, Wade Grey, Bailey Nune, and all the rest of the fan-favorite characters on the show. And what's even more exciting is that Nathan Fillion's Rookie might not be the only part of this franchise we get to enjoy in the coming year as showrunner Alexei Hawley is currently working on a second planned spinoff.
ABC has high hopes for the future of the Rookie franchise, revealing during that Upfronts that the original series, along with fellow veteran procedurals 911 and Grey's Anatomy continue to introduce themselves to new fans as the years go on, and the network has no plans to end them any time soon.