Summary
- “How to Die Alone” was ordered by Onyx Collective in November 2022 and released on Hulu in September 2024.
- Despite critical acclaim, with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and award wins, the series was canceled after one season.
- Creator and star Natasha Rothwell expressed shock and is shopping the series to other platforms for continued representation.
How to Die Alone Cancelled
How to Die Alone emerged from Onyx Collective, a Disney content brand dedicated to projects by underrepresented creators, and was ordered to series in November 2022. Production began in earnest with the aim of showcasing diverse perspectives through humor and personal storytelling. The series, which follows Mel, a “broke, fat, Black JFK Airport employee” navigating life and self-discovery after a near-death experience, struck a chord with critics upon its release in September 2024.
The show earned praise for its originality and the performance of Natasha Rothwell, who not only created the series but also stars as its lead character. Reviews highlighted the show as “skillfully crafted” with Rothwell’s performance described as “flawless.” It received a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and accolades included an Independent Spirit Award for ensemble cast in a new scripted series. Additionally, the show garnered three pending nominations for NAACP Image Awards, reinforcing its impact and critical success.
Despite these achievements, How to Die Alone faced cancellation due to insufficient viewership numbers—a common metric that often drives renewal decisions on streaming platforms like Hulu. Although Hulu does not publicly release viewership data, sources close to the network indicated that the series failed to attract a large enough audience. This disconnect between critical acclaim and viewer numbers is at the heart of the network’s decision to cancel the series after just one season.
In a statement to Variety, Natasha Rothwell expressed that she was “shocked, heartbroken and frankly, baffled” by the cancellation. Her reaction underscores a recurring issue in television: even critically successful projects can be short-lived if they do not achieve high enough ratings. Rothwell defended the series, emphasizing that it was “an undeniable critical, creative and award-winning success” and stressed that representation matters—not only in visibility but also in ensuring that diverse cultural contributions are preserved.
READ MORE: What Happened to Max’s Body? The Recruit Explained
How to Die Alone Cancelled: Future Prospects and Industry Impact
The cancellation of How to Die Alone has broader implications for both creators and streaming platforms. Natasha Rothwell is actively shopping the series to other platforms, with the aim of finding a new home where the show’s unique voice and representation can thrive. This move highlights a growing trend among creators who, when faced with cancellation on one network, seek alternative avenues to bring their work to wider audiences.
The series was produced under Onyx Collective, known for projects like The Other Black Girl and UnPrisoned. With a focus on stories by people of color and those from underrepresented communities, the cancellation of How to Die Alone sends a concerning message about the challenges that even high-quality, critically acclaimed projects face in the competitive streaming landscape. It reinforces the idea that success cannot solely be measured by critical response and awards; viewership numbers remain a critical factor in renewal decisions.
The network’s decision to cancel the series despite its creative merits raises questions about the future of diverse storytelling on major streaming platforms. As the media industry continues to evolve, there is increasing pressure on networks like Hulu to balance commercial imperatives with a commitment to unique and diverse narratives. For Rothwell and her team, the path forward involves seeking a platform that values artistic and cultural contributions over mere viewership statistics.
In terms of industry impact, the cancellation adds to the ongoing debate about how streaming platforms evaluate success. While ratings and viewership remain the primary drivers, the critical acclaim and awards recognition that How to Die Alone achieved suggest that there is an audience for quality, diverse storytelling. This situation may prompt platforms to reconsider their renewal criteria and invest more in projects that push creative boundaries, even if they initially appeal to niche audiences.
READ MORE: Eternal Strands: Unlocking Fast Travel Explained
Natasha Rothwell’s response to the cancellation is both defiant and hopeful. In her statement, she noted that “representation isn’t just about visibility, it’s about ensuring that our stories, our existence and our cultural contributions are not erased.” Her determination to find a new home for the series demonstrates the resilience of creators who are passionate about their work, and it signals that the conversation around representation in media is far from over.
Source: Variety
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
