Superman and Lois Cancellation: Completing a 72-Year Cycle in Superhero TV
With the cancellation of Superman & Lois, a 72-year DC era that featured over six different actors portraying the Man of Steel on television comes to an end. Superman & Lois is ending with season 4, despite its popularity and ratings. Nexstar’s acquisition of The CW has resulted in numerous logistical ramifications, drastically altering all of the channel’s programming. The main cast of Superman & Lois was still involved, and the show had plenty of storyline left for at least two more seasons. However, behind-the-scenes significant changes in direction and budget cuts have brought the series to an early conclusion. Positively, Superman & Lois escaped the terrible destiny that many network series experience after several seasons, as it
Superman Starred In The First & Last Live Action Network Superhero Show
Given that Superman was the one who initially introduced superhero shows to network television, it makes perfect sense that the final live-action superhero program on the network is centered around him. Following the release of Superman and the Mole Men in 1951, George Reeves’ groundbreaking Superman made a returned in 1952’s Adventures of Superman, which catapulted the action to fame and increased Superman’s popularity with his debut in a new medium. Since then, various actors have played the Man of Steel on the small screen, including Dean Cain, Tom Welling, and even Brandon Routh — all before Tyler Hoechlin concluded Superman’s seven-decade run on network TV.
Will There Be Another Live-Action Superhero Show On Network TV?
The superhero genre on network TV has officially ended with The CW’s cancellation of all of its DC series, but other networks may still try their hand at a live-action DC adaptation in the future. After all, Elseworlds projects, which are non-DCU titles, are still possible in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe. Unfortunately for fans of the network format, Marvel and DC’s focus on long-form storytelling has shifted to streaming services, where they attract fans who are already familiar with their respective cinematic universes. As a result, there are currently no plans for a new network superhero show along the lines of Superman & Lois. That doesn’t stop networks from developing their own unique superhero series outside of the Marvel and All previous series, from Adventures of Superman all the way through Smallville and the Arrowverse until Superman & Lois, have already presented the template for a new network TV show to rise in the future.