Max has officially canceled one of its fan favorite shows after just two seasons, citing a need to prioritize programming that meets audience demand and performance expectations. Despite its initial success and critical praise for its innovative storytelling and updated thematic elements, the show struggled to maintain the viewership required to secure a renewal on Max.
The decision to cancel reflects the increasing pressure on streaming platforms to balance creative content with viewership metrics, particularly as competition in the market intensifies. Industry observers have noted that even well-received shows are at risk of being discontinued if they do not achieve sufficient audience engagement or align with broader programming strategies.
The series, set against the backdrop of a small town plagued by secrets and threats, aimed to provide a darker, more mature take on its genre.
In regards to the cancellation, Max released the following statement:
“While Max will not be moving forward with a third season of Pretty Little Liars, we are so grateful to our co-creators, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring, as well as the team at Warner Bros. Television, for reintroducing fans to this new iteration of liars who band together to fight the latest creepy villain terrifying Millwood. Their unique and modern creative vision—combined with the immense talent of our cast and crew—gave the series a fun, horror-filled point of view that paid tribute to its original Rosewood roots.”
The series first premiered on the streaming platform in 2022 with the debut season titled Original Sin. The second season, Summer School, aired from May to June 2024.
This is the fourth television adaptation in the Pretty Little Liars franchise, which draws inspiration from Sara Shepard’s popular book series. The original show ran for seven seasons on Freeform (previously known as ABC Family) before ending in 2017. It was succeeded by two spin-offs, Ravenswood and Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, both of which also aired on the same network.