NBC cancels 'Found' after season 2: will the missing-persons drama find new life elsewhere?

Economic Times

10-05-2025

NBC has canceled the gripping drama Found after two seasons, leaving fans shocked. The series, starring Shanola Hampton, may be shopped to other networks by Warner Bros. TV. The May 15 finale now serves as the series end. Read why Found was axed and if it could be saved
Why NBC canceled 'Found' – ratings drop & NBA scheduling crunch
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'Found' season 2 finale: will fans get closure?
Could 'Found' be saved? Warner Bros. TV exploring options
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Final thoughts: a loss for representation & suspense TV
NBC's shocking decision to cancel Found after just two seasons stems from a perfect storm of declining ratings and scheduling conflicts due to its massive NBA deal. The drama, which premiered strongly with 10.5 million viewers, saw a steep drop in Season 2—partly due to its risky storytelling shift after Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) escaped captivity.Adding to the challenge, NBC's $2.5 billion NBA contract means cutting scripted shows to make room for 180 primetime basketball games next season. Found wasn't alone—The Irrational, Suits: LA, Night Court, and Lopez vs Lopez were also axed in the network's programming purge.The now-series finale, airing May 15, was meant to set up a third season, teasing a high-stakes showdown between Gabi (Shanola Hampton) and Sir's sister Lena (Danielle Savre). Instead, viewers are left with an unresolved cliffhanger—unless another network or streamer rescues the show.Found followed Gabi Mosely, a missing persons specialist who was once among the 300,000+ missing people of color in the U.S. The series stood out for its diverse casting and gripping premise, making its cancellation particularly disappointing for fans invested in its socially conscious storytelling.While NBC has closed the door, Warner Bros. Television (Found's lead studio) may shop the series to streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Max. Revivals aren't unheard of—Manifest and Lucifer found new life after network cancellations—but in today's cost-cutting climate, the odds are slim.Fans are already rallying online with SaveFound campaigns, hoping to replicate the success of past fan-driven renewals. The show's strong Peacock performance (it was NBC's top streamer launch at the time) could make it an attractive pickup.Found's cancellation is a blow to viewers who valued its unique focus on missing persons of color and its female-led, diverse cast. With complex characters like Gabi and the chilling Sir, the series brought fresh tension to the crime-drama genre.For now, all eyes are on the May 15 finale—and whether Warner Bros. can pull off a miracle. One thing's certain: Found's passionate fanbase won't let it disappear without a fight.