
The Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series that premiered on Netflix in 2017. The show stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a married couple who are real estate agents. The show received positive reviews from critics and amassed a loyal fanbase. However, in 2019, Netflix announced that it was cancelling the show after three seasons. This decision left many fans disappointed and angry, especially since the third season ended on a cliffhanger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of cancellation | 2019 |
| Number of seasons | 3 |
| Streaming platform | Netflix |
| Genre | Horror-comedy, black comedy, zombie comedy |
| Reason for cancellation | Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model, low audience turnout |
| Fan reaction | #SaveSantaClaritaDiet Twitter campaign, disappointment |
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What You'll Learn

Why was Santa Clarita Diet cancelled?
Netflix's decision to cancel Santa Clarita Diet came as a shock to many fans, especially as season 3 ended on a cliffhanger. The show had received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, with Rotten Tomatoes giving the first season an approval rating of 78% and Metacritic reporting "generally favorable reviews". The second season also received positive reviews, with an approval rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Netflix's head of original content, Cindy Holland, commented that the decision to cancel a show is based on a combination of things, including audience turnout and critical acclaim. In the case of Santa Clarita Diet, it seems that Netflix felt there was no viable reason to continue investing in the show. Netflix does not release viewing figures, so it is unclear how many people tuned in to watch. However, sources suggest that the decision to cancel the show may have been due to Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model, where the company pays for a show's production costs upfront, plus a premium of 30% or more of the total costs.
The cancellation of Santa Clarita Diet is not an isolated incident, as Netflix has also cancelled other shows after a few seasons, such as One Day at a Time, Travelers, Love, Bloodline, Hemlock Grove, and Marvel's Daredevil. Netflix's catalogue is now filled with half-finished shows, which may reduce their value as potential viewers may be reluctant to start a show that has no conclusion. Despite the cancellation, there is still a possibility for a revival if viewership picks up, as Netflix has revived shows in the past based on audience demand.
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Santa Clarita Diet's cast and crew
The Netflix original series Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled in 2019 after three seasons. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, has expressed interest in continuing the show for a fourth season, but the chances of that happening seem slim. The cast and crew of Santa Clarita Diet included some notable names in the entertainment industry. The show starred Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as married real estate agents Sheila and Joel Hammond, who lived in the suburban town of Santa Clarita, California. The show also featured Liv Hewson as their daughter, Abby Hammond, and Skyler Gisondo as their neighbour, Eric Bemis.
The crew included creator and showrunner Victor Fresco, who also served as an executive producer alongside Barrymore, Olyphant, Aaron Kaplan, Tracy Katsky, Chris Miller, Ember Truesdell, and Ruben Fleischer. The series was produced by Gulfstream Television and distributed by Netflix.
In addition to the main cast, the show also featured several notable guest stars throughout its three seasons. Thomas Lennon appeared as Andrei Novak, the principal of Santa Clarita High School, while Ramona Young played Ramona, a wise Rite-Aid employee who turned out to be a zombie. Sydney Park portrayed Winter, a classmate of Abby and Eric's, and Grace Zabriskie took on the role of Mrs Bakavić, Novak's Serbian grandmother. DeObia Oparei played Loki Hayes, a convicted felon who turns into a zombie, and Jonathan Slavin portrayed Ron, an asylum inmate who later becomes a zombie in season three.
The show received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the cast's performances and the show's unique blend of humour and gore. Despite its critical acclaim and loyal fanbase, Netflix made the decision to cancel the show, citing a combination of factors, including viewing figures and production costs.
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The show's critical acclaim and fanbase
The Santa Clarita Diet, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was cancelled by Netflix in 2019 after three seasons. The show's abrupt cancellation left many fans heartbroken and outraged, with some taking to social media to express their disappointment and anger. Despite its niche appeal, the show had garnered a small yet passionate and loyal fanbase, with viewers praising its unique blend of horror, comedy, and heartfelt family dynamics. The show received generally positive reviews from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an approval rating of 78% for the first season and 89% for the second season. The show's premise revolves around Sheila Hammond (played by Drew Barrymore), a suburban real estate agent who unexpectedly becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh, upending her family's quiet life.
The show's creator, Victor Fresco, has expressed his desire to continue the story and provide closure for fans, and the cast, including Barrymore and Olyphant, have also hinted at their affection for the show. However, reports suggest that the cancellation was due to a combination of factors, including rising production costs, Netflix's cost-plus budget model, and the platform's tendency to prioritize new content and attracting a broader audience.
Despite the cancellation, the show has maintained a dedicated fanbase, and there has been speculation about a possible revival or continuation on a different platform. The entertainment industry's trend towards successful revivals and reboots, along with the demand for nostalgic content, has fueled hopes for a fourth season of "Santa Clarita Diet". While there is no official confirmation, the continued interest from fans and the cast's willingness to return keep the possibility alive.
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Netflix's cancellation of original content
Santa Clarita Diet, a zombie comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was cancelled after three seasons, leaving fans disappointed and frustrated. The show had received positive reviews and developed a devoted following, but Netflix decided to cut it short, attributing the decision to their "`cost-plus` budget model". This model involves paying for a show's production costs upfront, plus a premium of 30% or more, which can make shows too expensive to continue producing.
Netflix's head of original content, Cindy Holland, explained that the decision to cancel a show is based on whether they are getting enough bang for their buck. If the audience turnout is low and the show isn't performing as well as expected, Netflix may choose to cut their losses and invest in other content. This business-focused approach can be frustrating for fans who become invested in these original shows, only to have them abruptly cancelled without a proper conclusion.
The challenge for Netflix is balancing their investment with the desire of fans to see their favourite shows continue. While Netflix has been known to revive shows based on audience demand, the lack of transparency around their viewership data makes it difficult for fans to know if their favourite show is at risk of cancellation. This has led to a sense of uncertainty and frustration among viewers, who are reluctant to start new shows that may not have a satisfying conclusion.
Netflix's focus on stretching their investment dollars as far as possible has resulted in a catalogue of unfinished shows. This can bring down the overall reputation of the brand, as viewers may lose trust in starting new shows that could be abruptly cancelled. While Netflix doesn't need to see every show through to completion, finding a better balance between business interests and fan expectations could help maintain the loyalty and engagement of their subscriber base.
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Will there be a season 4?
Fans of the show have been campaigning for a fourth season of the Santa Clarita Diet ever since Netflix announced its cancellation in 2019. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, has also expressed his desire to continue the series, stating that he already has some ideas for a potential fourth season.
The decision to cancel the show was met with disappointment and frustration from fans, who felt that the show ended on a cliffhanger and that a fourth season could provide closure. The show's sudden ending has left fans with unanswered questions, particularly regarding the fate of the main characters, Joel and Sheila Hammond, played by Timothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore respectively.
Despite the show's critical acclaim and dedicated fanbase, Netflix decided to cancel the Santa Clarita Diet due to its "'cost-plus' budget model. Netflix's decision-making process considers the immediate binge-watching behaviour of its audience, and if a show does not generate enough viewership within a short period, it may be at risk of cancellation. In the case of the Santa Clarita Diet, Netflix felt that the investment in the show was not justified by the audience turnout and critical reception.
While there is a possibility that Netflix could revive the show in the future, as they have done with other cancelled series, it is important to note that there are typically clauses in the original deal that prevent cancelled Netflix shows from airing elsewhere for a "significant period of time". In addition, the show's cast members, such as Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, have moved on to other projects, which could pose a challenge to reuniting the original cast.
As of now, there are no official plans for a fourth season of the Santa Clarita Diet. However, the show's impact and the passion of its fanbase continue to keep its memory alive, even years after its cancellation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled by Netflix in 2019 after three seasons.
Netflix's decision to cancel shows is based on audience turnout and critical acclaim. Netflix's head of original content, Cindy Holland, said that the decision is based on a combination of things, including "how much to invest based on the audience that will show up". Netflix operates on a cost-plus budget model, where they pay upfront the show's production costs plus a premium of 30% or more of the total costs.
There is a possibility for a revival if the viewership makes it seem worthwhile, as Netflix has revived shows in the past based on audience demand.











































