Netflix Cancels Girls5eva Again, Ending Its Brief Revival

Girls5eva has been cancelled. Again.

The musical comedy series Girls5eva has been officially canceled for the second time, this time by Netflix, marking the end of its run after a brief, but memorable, revival.

Girls5eva, a show about a ’90s pop band attempting a comeback, was initially cancelled after two seasons on Peacock, only to be rescued by Netflix for a third season. The third season, which premiered in March 2024, will be the final chapter for the series, as Netflix confirmed it will not move forward with a fourth season.

This announcement follows comments from Girls5eva star Busy Philipps, who confirmed the series’ fate on her podcast, Doing Her Best. “It’s dead. I’m just saying it because f**k it. If Netflix won’t, I will,” Philipps stated, reflecting her frustration with the decision and offering some insight into why the streaming giant decided not to renew it. “I guess not enough people watched it or watched it the way that counts,” she speculated. 

Philipps clarified that the deal with Netflix, which took over the show after its cancellation by Peacock, was only for the third season. This deal structure, which didn’t specify a time limit or renewal clause, left the cast and crew uncertain about the future. “Normally, when you do a TV show, there’s a contract, and you have to let the actors know by a certain date or they’re free to pursue other things,” she explained. “But we didn’t have that deal structured.” 

She also shared her own longing for more Girls5eva episodes, hinting at a possible movie or final season, but acknowledged the reality that those dreams may never come to fruition. “I know that all of us would kill to do more in any capacity, like a movie…or a fourth and final season, but I just think it’s not, probably,” she said. 

Girls5eva, created by Meredith Scardino, received positive critical reviews. The show followed four women – played by Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Busy Philipps – who once found fame as part of a ’90s girl group. When their hit song is sampled by an up-and-coming rapper, they reunite, finding community and creating new music together.

The cancellation of Girls5eva by Netflix reflects a troubling pattern of the streaming giant ending shows prematurely, prioritizing short-term metrics over long-term potential. Though fans may not get a fourth season or movie, Girls5eva leaves behind a memorable run with its mix of comedy, music, feel-good moments, still appreciated by its dedicated audience.

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