
Netflix's decision to cancel the dark comedy Santa Clarita Diet left fans disappointed, with many questions about the show's plot left unanswered. The series, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was well-received by critics and had amassed a loyal fanbase, leaving many to wonder if it will ever be picked up again.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Victor Fresco |
| Streaming service | Netflix |
| Stars | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Liv Hewson, Skyler Gisondo, Ricardo Chavira, Mary Elizabeth Ellis |
| Number of seasons | 3 |
| Reason for cancellation | Netflix felt there was no viable reason to keep pumping money into it |
| Chances of being picked up by another network | Unlikely due to Netflix's non-compete clause |
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What You'll Learn

Santa Clarita Diet's cancellation by Netflix
Netflix's decision to cancel Santa Clarita Diet after three seasons came as a blow to the fans of the show. The streaming service confirmed the news in April 2019, stating:
> "The world had never known a 'zom-com' until Santa Clarita Diet, and we're indebted to creator Victor Fresco for bringing this idea to Netflix...We're grateful to Victor, [stars] Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, along with fellow executive producers...and the terrific cast...for three hilarious seasons for Netflix members to discover for years to come."
The show, which premiered in 2017, was a hit with critics and fans, but Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model meant that the cost of production became too high. Netflix's head of original content, Cindy Holland, explained that the decision to cancel a show is based on whether the investment is worth it:
> "When we're investing, we decide how much to invest based on the audience that will show up. If the audience doesn't show up, we think about the reason to continue to invest in something that doesn't do as well as we had hoped."
Despite the cancellation, there is a possibility that the show could be revived if enough viewers tune in and the viewership makes a renewal seem worthwhile. Netflix has brought shows back in the past due to audience demand, so fans of Santa Clarita Diet can hold out hope for a fourth season.
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The show's cliffhanger ending
The ending of Santa Clarita Diet left fans with many questions, as the show concluded on a cliffhanger. In the final moments of the show, Sheila and Joel Hammond, a suburban realtor couple, are seen enjoying domestic bliss. However, their peace is short-lived as Joel is attacked by a flesh-eating spider that crawls into his ear, heading towards his brain. Faced with the possibility of losing her spouse, Sheila, who has previously turned into a zombie, bites Joel in an attempt to turn him into a zombie as well.
This sets up a potential fourth season that explores Joel's new life as a zombie and how it affects his relationship with Sheila, as they are now in the same situation. The cliffhanger ending left fans wondering about Joel's fate and speculating whether he would be dead, undead, or possessed by the spider, which is revealed to be called Mr. Ball Legs.
The show's creator, Victor Fresco, confirmed that Joel is indeed possessed by Mr. Ball Legs, and while the creature initially makes him do its bidding, Joel and Sheila eventually work together to hunt bad people, with their love for each other remaining strong. Fresco also expressed interest in exploring the relationship between the Hammonds' daughter, Abby, and their neighbour, Eric, in a potential fourth season.
The cancellation of the show on a cliffhanger was a disappointment to many fans, and despite campaigns to save it, Netflix does not seem interested in providing any closure to the story. However, as seen with other shows, there is always a chance for a revival if viewership and interest remain high.
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The possibility of a fourth season
The Santa Clarita Diet, a Netflix-original series starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was cancelled after three seasons in 2019. The show's producer, Tracy Katsky, expressed sadness over the cancellation, especially since the third season ended on a cliffhanger.
Despite the disappointment of fans and the willingness of the artists, Netflix does not seem interested in providing any closure for the series. The decision to cancel the show was likely due to low viewership, as Netflix considers the completion rate when deciding whether to renew or cancel a series. While Netflix does not release viewing figures, the third season of Santa Clarita Diet appeared on various Top 10 binge/streaming rankings.
However, there is still a possibility for a fourth season in the future. The creator of the show, Victor Fresco, has expressed interest in bringing the show back and has many ideas for Joel's undead journey. In addition, the cast and crew were praised for their performances and the show received generally positive reviews from critics.
While it is unlikely that the show will be picked up by another network due to Netflix's original series contracts, there is always a chance that Netflix could reconsider if there is enough demand. Fans of the show have already shown their dedication through a petition and social media campaigns, and with enough support, Netflix may decide to revive the series.
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The show's cast and their current projects
The cast of *Santa Clarita Diet* has gone on to work on various other projects, with some of the show's stars remaining busy in the entertainment industry.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore, who played Sheila Hammond, has been an actress, producer, director, and author throughout her career. Barrymore has had a successful acting career, starring in films such as *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, *Charlie's Angels*, and *50 First Dates*. She has also produced several projects, including *He's Just Not That Into You* and *Charlie's Angels*. In addition to acting and producing, Barrymore has directed several projects, including two episodes of *Santa Clarita Diet*. Outside of her work in film and television, Barrymore has also authored multiple books, including her autobiography, *Wildflower*.
Timothy Olyphant
Timothy Olyphant, who played Sheila's husband, Joel Hammond, has had a prolific career in film and television. He is known for his roles in *Deadwood*, *Justified*, and *The Mandalorian*. Olyphant has also had a successful film career, starring in movies like *Go*, *A Perfect Getaway*, and *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*.
Liv Hewson
Liv Hewson, who played the Hammonds' daughter, Abby, has gone on to star in several other television shows and films. They are known for their roles in *Top of the Lake*, *Dramaworld*, and *Home and Away*. Hewson has also appeared in films such as *Let It Snow* and *Are You Afraid of the Dark*.
Skyler Gisondo
Skyler Gisondo, who played the Hammonds' neighbour, Eric Bemis, has had a successful career in both television and film. He is known for his roles in *Psych*, *The Amazing Spider-Man*, and *The Righteous Gemstones*. Gisondo has also lent his voice to various animated projects, including *Phineas and Ferb* and *Archer*.
Victor Fresco
Victor Fresco, the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of *Santa Clarita Diet*, has had a successful career in television. He is known for creating and writing several popular television shows, including *Better Off Ted*, *My Name Is Earl*, and *Life in Pieces*.
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The show's fanbase and their reaction to the cancellation
Fans of the show were left furious and confused by the cancellation of Santa Clarita Diet. The show had a dedicated fanbase, with one source calling it a cult series. Many fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment and anger at the news, with some even threatening to cancel their Netflix subscriptions.
One fan on Twitter expressed their frustration at the fact that Netflix had cancelled the show on a cliffhanger, writing: "I can't believe they cancelled Santa Clarita Diet on a cliffhanger". Another fan emphasised the popularity of the show, tweeting: "Every time I find a show I like on @Netflix they end up cancelling it".
The disappointment was heightened by the fact that no reason was given for the show's cancellation. Fans were left with many unanswered questions about the plot and the fate of their favourite characters, with 94% of fans demanding a wrap-up movie to explain what happens next. A "Save Santa Clarita Diet" petition was created on Change.org, garnering nearly 13,000 signatures.
Despite the passionate fan reaction, Netflix did not seem interested in providing any closure to fans. However, there is still a possibility for a revival if enough viewers show interest, as Netflix has revived other shows in the past due to audience demand.
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Frequently asked questions
Netflix decided to cancel the show because it was not getting enough bang for its buck. The show's production costs were too high, and it was not bringing in enough viewers.
It is unlikely that the show will be picked up by another network anytime soon. Netflix includes clauses in its original series contracts, preventing them from being picked up on another network for a significant period, said to be two to three years. Some sources suggest that it could be as long as five to seven years, or more.
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror sitcom starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as realtors and spouses, Sheila and Joel Hammond. The show follows the couple as they navigate a dramatic change in Sheila's health, which sends their lives down a road of death and destruction.
There were three seasons of Santa Clarita Diet, with the third season being released on March 29, 2019.
While it is unlikely, there is a small chance that Netflix might reconsider renewing the show for a fourth season if it starts being watched in large numbers.

















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