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Why was A.P. Bio canceled twice? Explained

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The sitcom A.P. Bio became available on Netflix on November 15, 2024. Since then, the show that originally premiered on February 1, 2018, on NBC, has generated renewed discussions among fans regarding why it was canceled on two occasions.

After running on NBC for two seasons until June 13, 2019, the series was canceled, only to be picked up by its streaming platform, Peacock. On the new platform, the show ran for two more seasons, from September 3, 2020, to September 2, 2021, following which it was canceled a second time.

As per Variety's May 2019 reports, A.P. Bio was canceled for the first time due to poor ratings. Meanwhile, the reason for the second cancellation was not specified by the streaming platform.

A.P. Bio was reportedly canceled after season 2 due to poor ratings

The second season of the series ran from March 7, 2019, to June 13, 2019, on NBC, and it was canceled after that. However, given the fact that the series had a reportedly slow start since its premiere, the cancellation did not come as a surprise.

Variety published a report on February 8, 2018, stating that the show “failed to generate significant numbers” right from its premiere. As per a report published by People on November 21, 2024, the series season 1 drew 3.2 million viewers, a figure that looks unflattering against the numbers generated by Will & Grace and Chicago Fire, with 4.1 million and 5.6 million viewers respectively.

As for Season 2, per Variety's May 2019 report, the show was rated the second lowest scripted series for the network, averaging under 2 million total live viewers. Mike O'Brien, the show creator, announced the cancellation of the show after its second season via X on May 25, 2019. He wrote:

"I'm intensely sad to announce that AP Bio will be ending after this season. This has been my favorite project of my life and that's because of the amazing writers, cast and crew. As most canceled shows probably feel, I think we were just hitting our stride and everyone was still loving the work, so this is very hard."

A.P. Bio was canceled again after season 4

Following its ousting from NBC, the show was picked up by the network’s streaming platform, Peacock. The renewal of the show reportedly happened thanks to the constant support of fans who wanted more of the series.

A report published by Deadline on July 17, 2019, carries the following statement from O’Brien following the relaunching of the series:

“I’m so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the fans. The cast and I are thrilled that we get to make more and I’m excited to work with the NBCU streaming platform.”

However, following the last episode of season 4 which aired on September 2, 2021, the show was canceled once again. As per People, no official statement from Peacock was made regarding what may have caused the second cancellation of the series.

A.P. Bio: Plot and cast

The series revolves around the adventures and misadventures of Jack Griffin, a disgraced Harvard philosophy professor who has to leave his job and return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio. He has to work as a biology teacher at Whitlock High School. However, Griffin uses his high school students to plot his revenge against his rival, Miles Leonard.

The cast of A.P. Bio includes:

All four seasons of A.P. Bio are available to stream on Peacock and Netflix.

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