Why Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Was Canceled By Netflix
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has officially been canceled by Netflix ahead of the supernatural horror's season 4 debut this fall, and fans are left puzzled by the decision. The series was created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and based on his Archie comic book series by the same name. Aguirre-Sacasa isn't having the best of luck as of late considering one of the other Archieverse shows, Katy Keene, was axed just days before the Sabrina news dropped.
When Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was first announced, it was set to air on The CW as a sister series to Riverdale. Prior to its 2018 debut, the series moved to Netflix but it was still set in the same universe as Riverdale. It followed a teenage half-witch named Sabrina Spellman (Shipka) and the struggles she faced within her coven and how it affected the mortal world. Thus far, three parts (or seasons) have been released, including a 2018 Christmas special.
While Riverdale's popularity seemed to rub off on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the series ultimately found its own footing, especially when it came to the focus on supernatural elements. Season 1 was positively received by critics and fans but as the plot got a bit convoluted, the ratings slightly dipped over time. That said, it's still a surprise that Netflix would end the series just two years after it premiered. With the final eight episodes set to air later this year, Aguirre-Sacasa will get a chance to tie up loose ends for Sabrina's story. According to Aguirre-Sacasa's statement following the cancellation news, he may have been prepared for this fate based on Netflix's past.
Technically, there was no real reason given as to why Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was canceled but the decision fits recent trends of the streaming giant. Netflix has been known to end shows around the season 2 or 3 range or when a series passes the 30-episode mark. Contracts and bonuses have been known to get more expensive following those milestones. With the forthcoming eight episodes, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will end with a total of 36 episodes. There has also been speculation about the budgets surrounding the series with the format of splitting installments into smaller seasons.
Whether the cancellation decision can be justified or not, loyal viewers will surely be disappointed. There was always a request for a Riverdale crossover and unless that was accomplished during the filming of season 4, that hope might be forever lost. Aguirre-Sacasa has been outspoken about the creative freedom given to him by Netflix. It will be interesting to see if his team prepared for the possible end of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina with season 4. If not, there could be a cliffhanger that haunts viewers for years to come. Some might wonder if the show could find a home elsewhere, but that is unlikely based on Netflix contracts. It's unclear, however, if certain characters could still possibly make the jump to Riverdale in the future, but time will tell.