Netflix fans complain ‘this hurts’ after TV series axed before single episode released

Netflix fans have declared it’s a real ‘shame’ an ambitious TV show from an Oscar-winning director has been shelved.

The streamer has put the breaks on a Spike Jonze series shrouded in mystery that had been in development for more than two years.

Deadline reports that the circumstances around the axe are unclear but could have been driven by the 55-year-old’s decision to drop the project.

Details of the show were scant but sources claimed it was a sci-fi and rumoured names in talks for the project included Brad Pitt, 60, and Joaquin Phoenix, 49.

The ‘lavish’ show would have also been the ‘most expensive series ever made at Netflix’, according to reports.

Despite knowing little about the project, Spike’s fans on social media have been mourning its loss.

On Reddit, Andulias complained: ‘Every time Jonze does anything it’s an event, so this one hurts.’

Cinema lovers on X were also sharing their devastating over the show’s demise, among them @ReelAesthetica who said: ‘Bummer. I love that guy.’

@Capriconstar804 wrote: ‘That’s disappointing news Spike Jonze always brings something unique.’

Echoing their sentiment, @anything0301 exclaimed: ‘What a shame!’

While the series will not materialise any time soon, according to Deadline the door is not completely closed, meaning it could be commissioned in the future.

Over the past 25 years, Spike has made four films: Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Where The While Things Are and Her.

For 2013 science-fiction romantic comedy-drama Her, which starred Joaquin, he won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

The Netflix show would have been Spike’s first foray into narrative TV after previously being involved in the Jackass franchise.

Over the past few years, Netflix has repeatedly come under fire from fans for cancelling shows prematurely.

Earlier this month, viewers were raging when the streamer axed Kaos after just one season – and on a huge cliffhanger.

Set in a present-day alternate Crete in the city Heraklion, it revolved around three humans ‘as they discovered their common connection to a prophecy and to each other while dealing with the corrupt and arrogant gods of Greek and Roman mythology’.

‘Are you kidding me? This show was brilliant… and ended on a huge cliffhanger,’ user BastiTheGreat posted after the cancellation was announced on X.

However, one show that has survived Netflix’s culling is Virgin River – which has just been renewed for a seventh season, making it the streamer’s English-language drama series with the most number of seasons.