Television

Netflix cancels Neil Patrick Harris’ LGBTQ+ series Uncoupled

By Jordan Robledo

14th January 2023

Netflix
Netflix

Neil Patrick Harris’ LGBTQ+ TV series Uncoupled has been cancelled by Netflix after one season. 

Back in July, the streamer released the eight-episode romantic comedy to queer viewers worldwide. 

The show, which was created by Younger’s Darren Star, followed “successful New York City real estate agent” Michael Lawson (Harris), whose seemingly perfect life gets turned upside down after his long-term boyfriend Colin (Tuc Watkins) leaves him after 17 years. 

“Overnight, he has to confront two nightmares: losing the man he thought was his soulmate and suddenly finding himself a single gay man in his mid-forties in New York City,” the synopsis reads.

Alongside Harris and Watkins, Tisha Campbell, Marcia Gay Harden, Emerson Brooks, and Brooks Ashmanskas also starred in the series.  

Upon its release, Uncoupled received acclaim from critics and viewers for its Sex and the City vibe and dynamic comedic storylines.  

However despite the glowing reviews and the first season ending with multiple cliffhangers, Netflix pulled the plug on the LGBTQ+ inclusive show (per Variety). 

In an additional report from Deadline, a source told the publication that the show’s producers – MTV Entertainment Studios – attempted to shop the series around to other networks before the cancellation was announced. 

While Harris and the rest of the cast have refrained from releasing a statement, fans have already taken to social media to express their disappointment over the streamer’s decision. 

Netflix

Netflix

One viewer tweeted: “What the actual f**k Netflix? Cancelling Uncoupled, WHY? Please please, pleaseeeee, some other network pick it up. We need a season 2.”

Another person wrote: “I’m actually really disappointed and concerned with Netflix canceling #Uncoupled Tisha Campbell, sex and the city vibes, and gay content that’s not corny. I hate getting invested in shows.”

Over the last few months, queer consumers have slammed the streamer for cancelling an array of its LGBTQ+ inclusive shows after one or two seasons.  

On 13 January, fans of Dead End: Paranormal Park were left devastated when creator Hamish Steele revealed that Netflix cancelled the trans-led animated series. 

In a lengthy statement, the showrunner said that he “held onto the news for a while”, due to him hoping that it would “reverse” the streamer’s decision: “Sadly, I don’t think that’s possible right now. It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you Dead End is over.”

In addition to Uncoupled and Dead End: Paranormal Park, shows like 1899, Warrior Nun, First Kill, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, and Q-Force have also recently been cancelled by Netflix.

Check out more fan reactions to Uncoupled’s fate below.