To the surprise of fans, the Syfy show Chucky has been cancelled. Creator Don Mancini confirmed the news on X, formerly known as Twitter. But knowing the history of Chucky, it’s no surprise that the way he took the news as just a bump in the road and tweeted out, “HE’LL BE BACK.”
Chucky’s first appearance happened in the 1988 film Child’s Play. He then returned for 6 sequels. Each time Chucky was taken down, torn apart, or practically melted. And even when the sequels veered off course, turning truly ridiculous, there was never any doubt that he’d be back.
The killer doll entered the TV space in 2021, thanks to Syfy. This time around, a lonely and troubled teen buys Chucky at a yard sale, helping set into motion 3 seasons worth of mayhem and murder that includes a Chucky army, possessions, spirit realms, the White House, and of course the return of Chucky’s family and his other diabolical half Tiffany, played by Jennifer Tilly.
Tilly reacted to the news of the cancellation on X and said, “This is me and Don finding out that “Chucky” just got canceled.” Tilly included two shocked face emojis. Again, it felt like even she wasn’t surprised by the cancellation, both a little stone-faced but there’s this feeling like they’re not even worried.
Already the effort to save the series is underway from fans of the show under the hashtag #RenewChucky.
For many, Chucky has been a horror staple for them their entire lives. But for others, this new series was an opportunity to explore LGBTQ+ storylines with a gay lead, transgender representation, and so much more thanks to the creative vision of creator Mancini, who is a proud gay man. And to see another LGBTQ+ positive show bite the dust, it leaves viewers feeling like their stories are not a priority to studios who want them to consume the content they put out with no return in sight.
And that there’s without a doubt a pattern forming where queer shows are more at risk of being cancelled than anything else, leaving many feeling like we can’t do this anymore.
If there’s any show or character that will return, it’s going to be Chucky. But it’s disheartening that not even a character as iconic as Chucky can survive more than 3 seasons. If being iconic doesn’t save a show, then what does? If a dedicated fanbase doesn’t save a show, then what does? What is the secret formula? Because the TV industry continues to churn out stories, canceling them, and then giving us no valid reason like they don’t need us more than we need them. Surprise, you need us more than we need you. And it’s getting to a point where ALL good will or faith in TV is disappearing, one cancellation at a time.
