The Shocking Truth: Why Disney+ Canceled 'Extraordinary'—A Show With A Perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score

The axe has fallen on one of the most critically adored comedies of the last few years, a decision that has left fans and critics alike reeling. As of late 2025, Disney+ has officially confirmed the cancellation of its brilliant British superhero comedy, Extraordinary, after just two seasons. This news, which began circulating shortly after the second season’s finale, is particularly shocking given the show's exceptional standing: both Season 1 and Season 2 hold a flawless 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a rare gem cut down in its prime.

The immediate question on everyone’s mind, especially those who were left hanging by the massive Season 2 cliffhanger, is "Why?" The answer, as is often the case in the cutthroat world of streaming, appears to have little to do with creative quality or audience appreciation and everything to do with cold, hard business strategy and the massive cost-cutting mandates currently reshaping The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) division.

The Paradox of Perfection: A Critically Flawless Show Axed

Extraordinary, created by the exceptionally talented writer Emma Moran, offered a fresh, witty, and deeply relatable take on the superhero genre. Set in a world where everyone over the age of 18 develops a superpower, the series follows Jen, played by the phenomenal Máiréad Tyers, a 25-year-old who is—you guessed it—the only person without a power. This simple, yet brilliant premise allowed the show to explore themes of identity, self-worth, and the crushing pressure of modern life, all wrapped in a hilariously awkward package.

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The show was a critical darling from the start. Its perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is a testament to its sharp writing, unique voice, and the chemistry of its ensemble cast. Despite this universal acclaim, the show was ultimately unable to escape the new financial realities of its parent company.

Extraordinary’s Main Cast and Key Entities

The heart of Extraordinary was its core group of characters, whose complex, messy, and often bizarre lives grounded the fantastical setting. The talented cast and their characters include:

• Máiréad Tyers as Jen: The powerless protagonist struggling to find her place in a super-powered world.
• Sofia Oxenham as Carrie: Jen’s best friend and flatmate, who possesses the power of channeling the dead. Her relationship with Jizzlord was a central emotional arc.
• Bilal Hasna as Kash: Jen’s ex-boyfriend and flatmate, whose power is the ability to rewind time by a few seconds. His journey into starting a vigilante group provided much of the show’s secondary conflict.
• Luke Rollason as Jizzlord: A man who was trapped as a cat for years, only to be turned back into a human with no memory of his past life. His power is the ability to transform into a cat.
• Siobhán McSweeney as Mary: Jen’s mother, who has the power of super-strength.
• Robbie Gee as George: Jen’s boss at the costume shop, who has the power of super-speed.
• Julian Barratt as George's Voice: The voice of Jen's father, who is trapped in a non-corporeal form.
• Emma Moran: The series creator and head writer, praised for her exceptional writing talent.

The Cold, Hard Business Reality: Why Disney+ Made the Cut

The cancellation of a show with such high critical praise is a clear indicator that streaming success is no longer solely measured by quality. The primary factor behind Extraordinary’s demise is The Walt Disney Company’s aggressive content streamlining and cost-cutting initiative.

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Under CEO Bob Iger, Disney has been laser-focused on achieving profitability for its streaming services, particularly Disney+ and Hulu. This strategy involves a massive reduction in content spending. Reports indicate that Disney planned to slash content spending to around $25 billion in 2024, down from previous years, as part of a broader goal to hit $7.5 billion in annual cost savings.

While Extraordinary was a critical success, its viewership and profitability metrics—the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the new streaming era—were likely deemed insufficient to justify the cost of a third season. The show’s ranking, which placed it around #37 on Disney+ and significantly lower among all comedy shows, suggests it struggled to break through the crowded content landscape and achieve the mass-market engagement Disney now requires.

This trend is not unique to Extraordinary. It follows a string of cancellations as Disney and other major streamers pivot away from prestige projects with niche audiences toward high-engagement, high-profit-potential franchises. The decision highlights a fundamental shift in the streaming model: critical acclaim is no longer a shield against cancellation.

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The Unresolved Cliffhanger and Fan Disappointment

The cancellation is particularly painful for the dedicated fanbase because Season 2 concluded on a massive cliffhanger, leaving the show's central mystery completely unresolved.

Throughout the first two seasons, Jen’s main goal was to discover her power. The finale of Season 2 saw Jen on the brink of a major breakthrough, a refreshed perspective that seemed to hint at her latent abilities finally manifesting. However, in a cruel twist of fate, her ex-boyfriend Kash accidentally knocked her into The Void—a mysterious, dark, and potentially dangerous dimension.

This ending was clearly designed to set up the dramatic stakes for a third season, leaving viewers desperate to know: Where is Jen now? Has she finally found her power in The Void, or is she trapped in a limbo that will never be explored? The cancellation means fans will likely never get a canonical answer to this central narrative thread.

The fan reaction has been one of disappointment and anger, with many calling the decision a "terrible" mistake. The sentiment across social media platforms like Reddit is a mix of praise for Emma Moran's genius and frustration over the lack of marketing that may have contributed to the show's lower visibility.

What’s Next for the Cast and Creator Emma Moran?

While Extraordinary is over, the talent behind it is likely to land on their feet quickly. The series served as a huge breakout vehicle for its star, Máiréad Tyers, whose performance as Jen earned her widespread praise. Her future is undoubtedly bright, and she is expected to be a highly sought-after talent in both television and film projects.

Similarly, creator Emma Moran has proven her ability to craft a unique, critically successful, and deeply human story within a genre framework. A spokesperson for Disney+ noted, “We’re so proud of the hilarious, award-winning series brought to life by the exceptional writing talent of creator Emma Moran.” Fans are now holding out hope that Moran will eventually reveal her planned storyline for the unmade Season 3, perhaps through a script or interview, to offer some closure to the Extraordinary community.

The cancellation of Extraordinary is a stark reminder of the shifting priorities in the streaming industry. In the new era of content, a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score is a wonderful accolade, but it is no longer the metric that guarantees survival against the cold calculus of corporate cost-cutting. The show will be remembered as a fantastic, two-season run of British comedy that was simply too good and too niche for the new, streamlined Disney+ model.