Peacock has revealed the future of Hysteria!, a horror and suspense production set in the 1980s. And it is not very hopeful for fans. Grab your tissues, because it is time to say goodbye to one of those series that leave us too soon. Ready?
Here we go!
According to Variety, Hysteria! has been canceled by Peacock after a single season. The news has surprised everyone because the series had a good reception from both critics and audiences. It didn’t make it into the Nielsen Top 10 streaming charts, but it had a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite its promising start and the interest generated around its story, the streaming platform decided not to renew it.
What’s Hysteria! About and Why Was it Canceled?
Hysteria! premiered on October 18, 2024, and consisted of eight episodes. The plot revolved around a group of teenagers who formed a heavy metal band in a small town in the United States. Amid the “Satanic Panic” era, a phenomenon that in the 80s unleashed a collective hysteria about supposed occult practices, they decided to take advantage of the widespread fear to reinvent themselves as a Satanic band. However, when supernatural events and violent crimes begin to occur in their community, they become the main suspects and get caught up in a witch hunt that threatens to destroy their lives.
The cast of the series included well-known actors such as Julie Bowen — who we will never forget for her role in Modern Family — Anna Camp, Emjay Anthony, and Chiara Aurelia. The production attracted attention for its 80s aesthetic and its criticism of collective paranoia, combining terror with a satirical look at the excesses of the time. However, Hysteria!‘s path was not without problems. The series suffered production delays, which affected its development and promotion. It was forced to shut down after filming just a few episodes due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes. The show resumed production in late 2023.
Despite these obstacles, the executive producers had hinted at the possibility of a second season. In it, the small-town dynamics would be further explored and the story would be expanded to other locations such as Los Angeles. However, Peacock had other plans, and it ended up leaving fans of the series with an unfinished story. Although the future of the series seems doomed, its legacy as a production that explored the fear and paranoia of the 80s lives on.
Hysteria! Season 1 is available to stream on Peacock.
