<em>The Expanse</em> is a rare sci-fi show that managed to return despite being canceled after three seasons. What made its revival even more impressive is that after returning to the small screen, it ended up lasting for three more seasons and even established itself as one of the greatest sci-fi adaptations of the century. Its ability to return and prove its long-term potential shows how a Netflix sci-fi show, too, deserves a second chance.
Netflix is infamously known for having a long line of cancellations in the sci-fi genre. Even some of its most ambitious shows of the genre, like 1899, Travelers, and Sense8, struggled to complete their runs and reach their natural conclusions. However, among these, the cancellation that arguably hurts the most is The OA.
The Netflix sci-fi series was initially planned to have a five-season run, but its creators, Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, were forced to end it with only two installments. Although The OA‘s exploration of sci-fi is significantly different from that of The Expanse, its cancellation has one thing in common with the hit Prime Video. This common element proves that The OA, too, deserved a revival like The Expanse.
Like The Expanse, Netflix’s The OA Was Backed By An Epic Fan Campaign After Cancellation
While quite a few factors contributed to The Expanse‘s return on Prime Video, one of the biggest was the fan campaign that backed it. Touting themselves as the “Screaming Firehawks,” the show’s fans crowdfunded a plane to fly over Amazon Studios’ headquarters in Santa Monica with the banner “#SAVE THE EXPANSE.“
Syfy canceled The Expanse after only three seasons, but the show’s fans were determined to bring it back and even signed a petition (via Change.org), which received over 100k signatures. The campaign reached its peak when figures like European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Patton Oswalt, and George R.R. Martin also supported the series’ return.
Fans even went as far as raising $4000 to send a 3D-printed model of the Rocinante to the edge of space (via Inquisitr). Fortunately, the fan campaign eventually paid off, and Prime Video decided to renew it for another season. With this, The Expanse ended up lasting for three more seasons, becoming one of the best sci-fi shows on Prime Video.
The fans of Netflix’s The OA, too, led similar campaigns to demand its return after it was canceled. To artistically express their love for their series and its brilliant metaphysical elements, many organized flash mobs to perform its specific dance choreography, called “The Movements.“
While some mailed symbolic objects that appear in the show to Netflix’s officers, others even staged a long-term hunger strike outside Netflix headquarters (via The Ringer).
Even billboard spaces were rented out to demand the show’s return after season 2. Unfortunately, unlike The Expanse, The OA was never given a second chance. Even though the fan campaigns against its cancellation were no less intense or widespread, Netflix only gave its creators a chance to conclude its run with a final movie. Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij declined the offer.
It May Be Too Late, But The OA’s Return Could Still Work
The Expanse‘s revival worked so well because the show adapted a book series that already had an established following. At the same time, The Expanse also benefited from being revived by Prime Video soon after it was canceled on SyFy. The OA, on the other hand, premiered a decade ago and never got the opportunity to return after season 2.
Given how a lot of time has passed since it ended its run with season 2 on Netflix, it is hard not to question whether its return would still work.
The OA still seems to have a dedicated following, and even its official subreddit is fairly active. It also seems like the show still has an anecdotal demand, considering how some of its cast members are also still interested in replaying their roles if the show returns. While its creators, Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling, have said that they would want to bring it back sometime in the future, The OA‘s return seems unlikely for now.
Hopefully, like Prime Video’s The Expanse, Netflix’s The OA, too, will get to finish what it started.
