Neil Patrick Harris series Uncoupled cancelled by Netflix. Yes, that’s another queer show gone

Jan 14 2023
Written by Patrick Kelleher

Neil Patrick Harris in Netflix series Uncoupled. The actor is shown in a still image walking down a street wearing a jacket as night falls.

Neil Patrick Harris in Uncoupled. (Netflix)

Uncoupled has become the latest queer Netflix show to be cancelled – and to say fans aren’t happy would be an understatement.

The streaming giant announced that Uncoupled wouldn’t be getting a second outing on Saturday (14 January) – just six months after the its first season debuted.

Uncoupled followed Michael Lawson (Neil Patrick Harris), a New York City real estate agent, as he grapples with the surprise breakdown of his 17-year relationship with Colin (Tuc Watkins).

The show also starred Tisha Campbell, Marcia Gay Harden and Brooks Ashmanskas and was created by Darren Star and Jeffrey Richman.

Uncoupled fans think Netflix ‘didn’t give it a chance’

While Uncoupled opened to generally positive reviews, it failed to leave a mark on Netflix viewers, Variety reports. It made it into the Netflix Top 10 chart for just one week after its release, peaking at number six.

Still, the show did attract a following during its short run. Many shared their disappointment that the show wouldn’t be coming back on social media.

Pretty sure he’s not hard up for a bob or two but gutted for @ActuallyNPH – Uncoupled was genuinely one of the best sitcoms I’ve seen in years and he was brilliant. Swear @netflix / @NetflixUK didn’t give it a chancehttps://t.co/MFZrCImoCM
— Jack Hardwick (@jackhardwick93) January 14, 2023

Disappointing news. Netflix cancels “Uncoupled” after just one season. pic.twitter.com/41BPgPhPfV
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) January 14, 2023

Uncoupled was on par with Emily in Paris, but I’d still to have seen the show develop. And it ended on a cliffhanger didn’t help. https://t.co/AjsbdVst8l
— Darren McMahon (@DarrenMcMahon54) January 14, 2023

First, Partner Track, now this. You really can't trust Netflix to commit to any show unless it does stratospheric numbers. #Uncoupled was really smart and funny, a good show. That cliffhanger had me gagging for a season 2. Oh well 😔@fimilebayb @anyibaba9ja pic.twitter.com/xUZskzxBDB
— Walter Ude 🌈 #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality (@walteruude) January 14, 2023

Uncoupled cancelled 😕 https://t.co/DwzeYw1TVd pic.twitter.com/mfgPIi2f33
— Lil Dave 🥴 (@slattsDave77) January 14, 2023

The show is just the latest in a string of queer-themed Netflix series to end up on the chopping block in recent months.

It was confirmed on Friday (13 January) that the animated horror-comedy Dead End: Paranormal had been cancelled after just two seasons.

Gilles Marini as Paolo, Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson in Uncoupled. (Netflix)

The series had a trans lead character who was voiced by trans actor Zack Barack. It also starred LGBTQ+ stars such as MJ Rodriguez and drag queen Coco Peru.

That news came just one week after Netflix was slammed by queer viewers for axing 1899 after just one season.

Other LGBTQ+ shows that haven’t lasted at Netflix include Warrior Nun, Fate: The Winx Saga and lesbian vampire drama First Kill.

Speaking to PinkNews in July to mark the release of Uncoupled, Neil Patrick Harris said he wanted to show that middle-aged gay men can be “sexy” through the show.

“A lot of content that is shown of gay men in their mid-40s is often that they’re no longer vital or sexy. The joke is that they’re has-beens and the butts of the jokes – even though we’re not all bottoms,” he laughed.

“I think being able to have these people be real people that are still kind of sexy in their own way is a bit unique.”