HBO boss explains Lovecraft Country cancellation

Lovecraft Country
(Image credit: HBO)

HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys has explained why Lovecraft Country was cancelled.

"When you make the decision to not go forward with a show, it's usually a confluence of factors," he told Variety. "And that was the case here. It has to be something we think makes sense for us. In this case, we couldn't get there."

He added: "I don't think it would be fair to point at any one particular thing. I think that the work Misha [Green, showrunner] did, and the recognition that it got, this doesn't change any of that."

Green recently revealed more about her plans for season 2, which would have involved the US, now the Sovereign States of America, split into four sections – with one area, the Whitelands, flooded with zombies as a result of The Origin spell.  

In a statement on the cancellation, HBO said: "We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of the gifted cast and crew, and to Misha Green, who crafted this groundbreaking series. And to the fans, thank you for joining us on this journey."

Lovecraft Country starred Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Courtney B Vance, and the late Michael K. Williams. Based on Matt Ruff's novel of the same name, the series saw Atticus Freeman (Majors) on a cross-country journey in the '50s, searching for his father. Along the way, he and his friends faced Lovecraftian monsters and the horrors of the racist Jim Crow-era.

The show was nominated for 18 Emmys this year, including Outstanding Drama Series – which only makes its cancellation all the more mystifying.

If you're looking for a new series, check out our guide to the best Netflix shows to find your next binge-watch.

Molly Edwards
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English. 

Read more
Jeff Goldblum in Kaos
Jeff Goldblum's fantasy series Kaos was Netflix's most-watched cancelled show of late 2024
Natasha Rothwell in How to Die Alone
The White Lotus star says she is "baffled" after her Hulu comedy series gets canceled after one season because "the show is an undeniable critical, creative and award-winning success"
Stills from Netflix fantasy series Kaos
2024 saw a whole bunch of TV shows get cancelled, but I'm still most upset about Netflix axing Jeff Goldblum's fabulous fantasy series Kaos
As Marvel fans reminiscence about Luke Cage's Netflix series, its creator says what they had planned for season 3 was "even better"
The Sandman final season promotional poster featuring The Endless posing against a silhouette of Morpheus/Dream
The Sandman to end with season 2 as Netflix cancels the Neil Gaiman adaptation
Dead Boy Detectives
This canceled Netflix fantasy series was one of the best shows of 2024 – and deserves a second chance
Latest in Horror Shows
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last Of Us season 2
The Last of Us showrunner says newcomer Kaitlyn Dever was "within The Last of Us DNA" before the show existed
Clicker and Ellie
The Last of Us season 2 trailer brings the heart and the horror back to Joel and Ellie
Rick and Michonne in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
The Walking Dead boss looks to squash hopes of The Ones Who Live season 2 – though that doesn't mean we won't ever see Rick and Michonne again
The Last of Us season 2 first look
The Last of Us season 2 will tell "a different version" of the story, but Neil Druckmann loves the changes they've made: "Its DNA is in there"
The Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
New look at Alien: Earth has fans theorizing over whether they can hear a Predator in the background
Danny Huston in 30 Days of Night
The Hunger Games director to follow up Stephen King adaptation with Netflix series based on "30 Days of Night meets The Last of Us" horror podcast
Latest in News
Jack Quaid in Novocaine
The Boys star Jack Quaid's commitment to the bit is unmatched as his latest marketing stunt for upcoming action movie Novocaine goes viral
Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again had Disney Plus' biggest premiere of 2025, but its viewership is lower than Agatha All Along and The Acolyte
Beyond the Ice Palace 2
After 37 years, this Commodore 64 classic returns with a new Metroidvania sequel that gives serious old-school Castlevania vibes
The House of the Dead first look 'Test Subjects'
Resident Evil director offers update on his horror movie adaptation of Until Dawn-sounding video game from over 20 years ago: "It's going to be very, very scary"
Official art for Hopetown, featuring a group of miners looking towards the camera.
The battle to steal the Disco Elysium successor's spotlight continues as former and current ZA/UM devs reveal teasers for their new RPGs simultaneously
True Detective
Matthew McConaughey still thinks his own season of True Detective is the best one: "It was one of the great events in TV"