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Netflix has never been predictable when it comes to renewal decisions. There have been many times when a show that seemed all but certain to be renewed ended up getting canceled, and just as many times when a show seemed to have run its course only for Netflix to hand out a renewal that was never expected.
It’s also never been the most consistent when it’s come to the cadence for when a show will be renewed. While on broadcast, decisions tend to be made in the spring before the end of the season or sooner if the shows are lucky. Netflix has never followed a particular pattern. Sometimes they’ve handed renewals out before a new season has arrived, other times they announce a renewal shortly after the latest season has dropped, and other times they’ll make fans wait weeks or even months before finally determining a show’s fate.
As 2026 races toward the finish line, there are currently a handful of Netflix shows still waiting to be renewed. Of those on the bubble, though, I must admit I’m not sure how the six shows in this list are somehow still not renewed by Netflix.
The Diplomat
I’m not going to lie, I’m honestly shocked Netflix didn’t renew The Diplomat for a fifth season before season 4 even dropped. The Diplomat is one of its most successful and critically acclaimed series, and Netflix has been known to bet big on its hits by renewing them early. Yet, somehow, Netflix has not yet ordered a fifth season of The Diplomat—not even after Allison Janney managed to nab the show's first Emmy win heading into the season.
The show’s fourth season has been incredibly well-received, and its premiere week ratings were solid, with the show avoiding a sharp drop-off, which we tend to see for more long-running shows. Of the shows on this list, I have the most faith in Netflix to renew The Diplomat, though I will be curious to see whether the renewal is potentially for a final season, as Netflix has been wrapping up a lot of hits lately.
Leanne
It took Netflix just over a month after the first season of Leanne dropped to renew the series for a second season, but we’re now closing on two months since the release of season 2, and there has been absolutely no news from Netflix. What’s even more frustrating is that there haven’t really been any updates on the show’s standing, despite its star, Leanne Morgan, currently being on tour and doing press to promote the tour.
While the viewership numbers for season 2 weren’t outstanding, they were certainly strong by Netflix’s standards for a comedy, and the show has a very passionate and tapped-in fan base who can’t get enough of the series. Considering it’s probably one of the cheapest shows on this list to make, you would think Netflix would have greenlit a third season by now. Instead, they’ve left fans to wonder whether the show will keep us laughing for another season or if Netflix is going to quietly pull the plug on the series.
Man on Fire
Man on Fire season 1 dropped on April 30, and here we are nearly six months later without any news about the show’s future. It would be understandable for Netflix to be dragging its feet on announcing the show’s fate if the series had opened to underwhelming numbers, but its first season reached 11 million viewers in its first four days of viewership, which is quite an impressive bow for a new series.
Fans quickly took to the Yahya Abdul-Mateen-led action thriller, and the show is sitting at an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that the audience really loved the series adaptation of A. J. Quinnell’s 1980 novel of the same name. What’s interesting is that this wasn’t a show that ended with a nice bow and was designed to be a limited series, as the finale left the door wide open for a second season with Abdul-Mateen’s character getting an irresistible offer to go after the men who killed his team in Mexico City.
After how Marvel pulled out on Wonder Man season 2, we're hoping Netflix comes through for fans of Abdul-Mateen and finally orders Man on Fire season 2!
Monster
While the fourth season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series Monster was met with mixed reviews, there is no denying that this is a franchise that continues to perform incredibly well for Netflix. Season 4 was watched by over 12 million viewers in its first week on Netflix, proving this franchise has staying power, which is good for the creator’s 10-season plan.
Considering how well Monster season 4, which focused on Lizzie Borden, performed, it’s interesting that Netflix has yet to pick up the show for a fifth season. Perhaps part of the delayed renewal announcement stems from the show having not yet nailed down the focus of its fifth season. We would understand Netflix wanting to wait to announce season 5 until it's clear what infamous individual the season might focus on, and that would certainly explain how this hit hasn’t been picked up already for another season.
Nobody Wants This
Okay, maybe I’m cheating by putting Nobody Wants This on the list since season 3 literally just hit Netflix, but it feels strange that Netflix is taking a wait-to-see approach to the acclaimed series. Fans have fallen hard for the Kristen Bell and Adam Brody-led romantic comedy, and season 3 quickly shot to No. 1 on Netflix upon its release.
It’s clear from the comments the show’s creator has made that season 3 was not envisioned as the final season for the show, and the one thing that nobody wants is for Netflix to cancel the show. Now, I will say it does feel like we’re nearing a natural end to the show, but this is one that absolutely deserves a proper final season to wrap up its storylines, and I’ll be shocked if Netflix doesn’t give Nobody Wants This the chance to do at least one more season.
XO, Kitty
Of all of the shows on this list, it only felt right to end the list by talking about the Netflix show that has been sitting on the bubble for the longest time: XO, Kitty. The third season of the teen comedy dropped way back on April 2, and somehow Netflix has yet to make a decision on the show’s future, which is beyond puzzling.
It’s clear that we’re nearing the end of Kitty’s story and fans have accepted the fact that season 4 would likely be the show’s last; however, instead of picking up the show for a fourth season and beginning work on a final season, Netflix has kept XO, Kitty, in an extended state of limbo. The good news is that Netflix does want to wrap up the show via a proper ending, and it seems that the show’s creator might actually be the one holding up a renewal, as it seems Netflix wants a fourth season while Jenny Han is pushing for a wrap-up movie.
Given the choice, I’d much rather get a proper final season to wrap up Kitty’s story, but at this point I just want some sort of resolution so whether that comes via a final season or a movie, I don’t really care. Hopefully, Netflix and Han will finally be able to sort out a game plan for the final season so that work can begin on the closing chapter to XO, Kitty and bring fans that closure in 2027.
Editor's Note: For the purpose of this post, we did not look at limited series on the bubble or series that have had multiple years between seasons, such as Beef and Russian Doll.
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