Netflix Cancels 'Tuca and Bertie'

Netflix has attracted legions of creators, with their huge resources and promises of unparalleled creative freedoms. More recently though, the streaming colossus has begun to act more like a traditional television network and has been cancelling shows left and right.

Netflix's animation output has been seemingly largely immune to this epidemic- until now. And the first victim is an unexpected one- Lisa Hanawalt's critically lauded Tucca and Bertie. Given that the show shares much creative staff with the services' flagship adult animated series BoJack Horseman, and received such strong reviews, you'd be forgiven for expecting this to have a long life ahead of it. The series has been acclaimed for capturing aspects of the female experience that are rarely seen on screen- and for its creative quirky animation. Despite the obvious BoJack comparisons, it's a very different show.

Netflix issued a statement on the cancellation

Lisa Hanawalt created a relatable yet whimsical world in  Tuca & Bertie, We’re grateful to Lisa, and her fellow executive producers Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Noel Bright, Steven A. Cohen, and EPs/stars Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong, along with all of the writers and animators for sharing the funny and dynamic female bird duo of Tuca and Bertie with the world. While Tuca & Bertie won’t have a second season, we’re proud to feature this story on Netflix for years to come.

The news has ruffled a lot of feathers online, with many noting that Netflix putting down its only female-focused adult animation is not a good look. It's also their only adult animation with a solo woman show-runner, although luckily it won't be the last. As with all Netflix cancellations, it's sparked conversation around what metrics they use to make these decisions. As the service is cagey about viewing figures it's very hard to say. This decision seems to have come very quickly too- the show has not been streaming for very long.

Hanawalt took to twitter to express her disappointment in the decision, and offered fans a ray of hope, saying "I'm hopeful we can find a new home for Tuca and Bertie to continue their adventures." There's also already a petition to save the show. There's no precedent for Netflix reversing a decision they've made, but sit-com One Day At A Time was recently picked up by a TV network after being axed by Netflix. One way or another, hopefully Tuca and Bertie will get to live to fly another day.

Netflix is not ordering a second season of Tuca & Bertie.

— Lisa Hanawalt (@lisadraws) July 24, 2019