Culture

Doom Patrol and Titans cancelled at HBO Max after four seasons

By Jordan Robledo

29th January 2023

HBO Max
HBO Max

HBO Max has cancelled their popular LGBTQ+ inclusive DC series’ Doom Patrol and Titans. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the shows – which Riverdale’s Greg Berlanti produced – will end after their current fourth seasons. 

While the cancellation may be a surprise for longtime fans, a source revealed to the publication that the producers for both series anticipated the move due to DC entertainment’s ongoing changes. 

Because of this, the Doom Patrol and Titans creatives made sure to “plot” their upcoming finales to have “proper endings.” 

In a statement to the aforementioned publication, an HBO Max spokesperson praised the two series for their “thrilling and action-packed” run.

“While these will be the final seasons of Titans and Doom Patrol, we are very proud of these series and excited for fans to see their climatic endings,” they said. 

“We are grateful to Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television for making such thrilling, action-packed, heartfelt series… For four seasons, fans have fallen in love with the Titans and Doom Patrol, investing in their trials and tribulations and in their legendary battles saving the world time and time again.”

Titans’ executive producer Greg Walker and Doom Patrol showrunner Jeremy Carver echoed similar sentiments in their own statements. 

“I’m immensely proud of our gifted cast, crew and writing staff and their efforts in bringing to life all 49 episodes over the last five-plus years,” Walker said. 

HBO Max

HBO Max

“Lastly, I have to thank our incredible fans for their continued support, engagement, and the passionate community they’ve built around our show.”

Carver added: “To our wonderfully supportive partners at HBO Max, Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions, and DC Studios, thank you for indulging us these past four seasons.

“Also, what were you smoking? To our brilliant cast, indomitable crew, fearless writing staff and, most of all, to our beautiful fans: thank you all the more. You made this a once-in-a-lifetime ride.”

Back in 2018, Titans first made waves when it premiered on the shortlived DC Universe streaming service. 

Based on the comic book of the same, the show follows Dick Grayson, aka Robin/Nightwing (Brenton Thwaites), Kory Anders, aka Starfire (Anna Diop), Rachel Roth, aka Raven (Teagan Croft), and Gar Logan, aka Beast Boy (Ryan Potter) and Conner Kent aka Superboy as they navigate relationships and the constant threat of supervillains. 

HBO Max

HBO Max

While the first season initially received mixed reviews, the series went on to earn a dedicated fanbase. It also featured the first live adaptation of a bisexual Tim Drake aka Robin (Jay Lycurgo)– who came out in the comics in 2021.  

Like Titans and its comic book counterpart, Doom Patrol follows a team of unlikely superheroes made up of Jane (Diana Guerrero), Rita Farr (April Bowlby), Vic Stone (Jovian Wade), Larry Trainor (Matt Bomer/Matthew Zuck and Clif Steele (Brendan Fraser/Riley Shanahan) as they weed through their trauma and take on enemies like Mr Nobody and the Brotherhood of Evil. 

In addition to the Doom Patrol’s heartwrenching and action-packed storylines, LGBTQ+ fans gravitated to the series for its dynamic queer lead characters, including Larry, Jane and Danny. 

Fortunately, both series have six remaining episodes of their respective final seasons for fans to immerse themselves in. 

Here’s how fans reacted to the cancellation of Doom Patrol and Titans.