Over the past few years, Netflix has essentially changed the face of television production. The streaming giant has rolled out a seemingly endless supply of original programming, but things are starting to change. Netflix has begun cancelling certain shows, with Sense8, Bloodline, and The Get Down already getting the boot, often without much notice. And now another show has joined the growing Netflix graveyard, as quirky comedy Girlboss has been cancelled and will not see a second season.
Based on the autobiography of the same name, Girlboss revolved around Sophia (Under the Dome's Britt Robertson), as she develops her own vintage clothing business. We saw as the neurotic and painfully selfish character become a bonafide businesswoman while juggling her personal relationships, all set to the sights, sounds, and trends of 2006. The series was executive produced by Charlize Theron, and featured guest roles from the likes of RuPaul, Breaking Bad's Dean Norris, Norm Macdonald, and Nicole Sullivan (Mad TV).
News of Girlboss's cancellation, which comes to us from THR, may not exactly surprise people. The series suffered some poor critical reception upon its release in April. Reviewers found the protagonist unlikeable, and the series currently sits at a mere 32 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether or not the series is promoting a feminist message has also been debated, as Sophia acts out selfishly, while also managing to curate a niche business that eventually becomes her livelihood.
Although seemingly light and frothy, I found Girlboss to actually have a surprising amount of heart. While the majority of each episode was comedic, the writers managed to gut punch you toward the end of most episodes. Sophia's character flaws were usually addressed, and we saw the deeply vulnerable woman underneath the vintage clothes and over confidence. In particular, her inability to connect with her father (Dean Norris) was an interesting dynamic. Also, any show with RuPaul smoking a bong is ok by me.
With Netflix getting cancel-happy over the past few months, it seems like almost any show on the service is in danger of cancellation. Sense8's cancellation this month has spawned an endless campaign for renewal by its fans, although Netflix doesn't seem to be actually listening to them. Both Sense8 and The Get Down were extremely ambitious and exciting projects, but their massive budgets seem to have put an end to their short runs. So while Netflix has been heralded as a haven for creatives who want to make bold TV choices, it may be getting closer to more traditional TV production like cable and premium channels.
It should be interesting to see which other shows get the axe from Netflix, and we'll be sure to update you on every single cancellation and renewal. In the meantime, check out our summer premiere list and plan your next binge watch.
