As renewal news is announced for shows such as the One Chicago franchise, Grey’s Anatomy and the 9-1-1 lineup, there are still several bubble series that are on the outside looking in.
Below are eight primetime dramas whose lack of an official renewal (or cancellation) is cause for concern as they await word on their futures. And proving that no one is safe, the list includes several of TV’s biggest hits.
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Curious about what’s been renewed, cancelled or is still in limbo over at CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and The CW? Get the latest on the status of all your favorite broadcast shows here. Plus, check out which cable and streaming shows have been picked up or axed this year.
Brilliant Minds (NBC)
BRILLIANT MINDS — “10 Minutes ” Episode 211 — Pictured: (l-r) Tamberla Perry as Dr. Carol Pierce, Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf — (Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC)
In February, NBC pulled the struggling medical drama from the schedule, replacing it with The Voice: Battle of Champions. The series will resume with its final six episodes of Season 2 on Wednesday, May 27, at 8/7c, but the fact that the network yanked the show and is burning it off later in the season (after NBC announces its fall schedule) does not bode well for its chances of scoring a renewal.
The Hunting Party (NBC)
THE HUNTING PARTY — “Jenna Wells” Episode 110 — Pictured: Melissa Roxburgh as Rebecca ‘Bex’ Henderson — (Photo by: James Dittiger/NBC)
After scoring a somewhat surprising Season 2 pickup last May, the NBC drama is currently quietly airing Thursdays at 10/9c to little buzz. The release of Season 1 on Netflix has also failed to give the show’s current run a ratings bump.
Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
LAW & ORDER — “Play with Fire Pt. 1” Episode 24019 — Pictured: (l-r) Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley, Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)
Is the venerable franchise really in danger of cancellation? Probably not. Then again, the Organized Crime spinoff got shipped off to Peacock and is still in limbo after its fifth season, so anything is possible. And if we had to pick one show that’s more vulnerable than the other, it would be the original L&O. But like with the One Chicago empire, the delay in an official pickup is likely due to contract and budget negotiations, so don’t be surprised if the eventual renewals come with some cost-cutting measures like reduced episodic appearances for cast members.
Murder in a Small Town (Fox)
MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN: L-R: Kristin Kreuk and Rossif Sutherland in the “Acts of Murder” Season Two premiere episode of MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN airing Tuesday, Sept. 23 (8:00-9:00PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2025 Fox Media LLC. CR: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX.
When Soaps.com spoke with showrunner Ian Weir following the Season 2 finale last December, he was feeling positive about the show’s renewal odds. “Well, I’m an optimistic guy. I’m hoping like heck that the show is renewed. I think the show has more legs,” he said. “I’ve been really thrilled by the response from the audience this season. I think the show has grown over Season 1 in the ways that we really hoped it would grow. The numbers have continued to grow in a way that’s really heartening to us.” But Fox has yet to officially announce if it is picking up the crime drama co-production for a third season, making it the lone scripted drama on the network that is still in limbo.
R.J. Decker (ABC)
R.J. DECKER – “In Vanity Veritas” – R.J. finds himself at the center of a suburban housewife murder mystery. Catherine worries that R.J. is getting too close to Emi. TUESDAY, MARCH 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/John Merrick) SCOTT SPEEDMAN
Scott Speedman’s P.I. drama only just premiered on March 3, so ABC is likely holding off on making a decision about the show’s future until it has a clearer picture of the series’ performance. Should Decker get axed, Speedman can always return to Grey’s Anatomy on a more regular basis (if his character, Nick, survives the final two episodes of the season).
The Rookie (ABC)
THE ROOKIE – “Spy Games” – The FBI and LAPD join forces on a covert sting operation to protect Bailey, while Wesley and Angela face tensions in their marriage when his campaign is threatened by a public scandal. MONDAY, MARCH 23 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Mike Taing) NATHAN FILLION
The stalwart cop drama, which returned for Season 8 in January, is still a solid enough performer that the network is eyeing a potential spinoff, The Rookie: North, starring Jay Ellis. That said, star Melissa O’Neil sparked concern among viewers when she marked the end of filming on The Rookie’s current season with this ominous Instagram message: “One of the wild elements of this business is that nothing is ever certain. Nothing promised is a guarantee.” Plus, the older the show, the more expensive it gets, so even if ABC doesn’t cancel the series, it could cut its episode count or trim the cast.
Will Trent (ABC)
WILL TRENT – “I Hear It Now, I Was Good” – Will grows anxious over the whereabouts of his uncle, drawing emotional support from Angie. Meanwhile, the murder of a famed conductor, found with cryptic musical clues, pulls Ormewood, Faith and Franklin into the world of the Atlanta Symphony. TUESDAY, MARCH 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Wilford Harewood) RAMÓN RODRIGUEZ
Like most of ABC’s midseason shows (The Rookie, R.J. Decker), Will Trent is still awaiting renewal, with just four episodes left to air this season. Given that it’s one of the few broadcast dramas to hook viewers and get some critical acclaim, a Season 5 pickup does seem likely.
Which show are you most worried about? Hit the comments, then check out the gallery below of 2025’s most shocking primetime cancellations.
