Netflix cancels 'Luke Cage,' the second Marvel series to go

Not-so-sweet Christmas.
By Proma Khosla  on 
Netflix cancels 'Luke Cage,' the second Marvel series to go
Show runner Cheo Hodari Coker and lead actor Mike Colter on the sets of 'Luke Cage.' Credit: David lee/netflix

Netflix has canceled Marvel's Luke Cage ahead of an expected Season 3 order. The decision, Deadline reports, stemmed from creative differences between the creative team and higher-ups at both Netflix and Marvel.

The Luke Cage writers team had just handed over script drafts for the first part of Season 3, which would have been 10 episodes, down from the usual 13 for a Netflix/Marvel show (the quickly canceled Defenders did eight).

This decision comes on the heels of Iron Fist being canceled, but that was without a season currently in development (and Iron Fist, famously, sucks). As Deadline notes, this means the plug could get pulled on Jessica Jones Season 3 or The Punisher Season 2 at any point in development or production, which doesn't inspire confidence.

Additionally, Disney, which owns Marvel, is launching its own streaming service, though no plans exist yet to resurrect these shows once that platform launches. Perhaps the best outcome of these back-to-back cancellations would be a Daughters of the Dragon series with Iron Fist's Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) and Luke Cage's Misty Knight (Simone Missick), but we realize that's a lofty dream.

On Friday, Netflix premiered Daredevil Season 3, whose positive reviews hearken back to the early days of the Marvel/Netflix live-action team up when there were fewer characters, shows, and seasons for viewers to keep up with. It sure looks like the end is night for New York's humble heroes after the last seasons trickle in, but we wouldn't say no to a final team up before they go.

Or, come to think of it – Kevin Feige, you up?

Topics Netflix

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Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.


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