Netflix Cancels Pulse and The Residence, Puts No Good Deed on Indefinite Pause After Poor Ratings

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In a strategic shift that reflects the ever-changing streaming landscape, Netflix cancels Pulse and The Residence while placing No Good Deed on indefinite pause. The move comes as the streaming giant continues refining its content slate after a mixed reception to several new series released in early 2025. Let’s dive into what went wrong and why these series didn’t make it past their first seasons.

Pulse: A Medical Drama That Missed the Mark

Pulse, a medical procedural created by Zoe Robyn, aimed to bring something different to the genre by intertwining hospital politics with serious themes like workplace sexual harassment. While its narrative was ambitious and the cast—featuring Willa Fitzgerald and Colin Woodell—was promising, the series couldn’t stand out in a crowded genre space.

Launching alongside other high-profile medical shows, Pulse struggled to attract a loyal audience. According to internal sources, cast members were informed about the show’s fate over a month ago and have since moved on to other projects. Despite its timely themes, the series didn’t manage to connect with viewers in a meaningful way, leading to its cancellation.

The Residence: A Star-Studded Mystery That Fell Short

From the powerhouse production company Shondaland, The Residence was expected to be a hit. Featuring Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, and Susan Kelechi Watson, the comedic murder mystery offered a unique take on White House intrigue. It even debuted strong, reaching No. 2 on Netflix’s global Top 10 with 8.8 million views.

However, high production costs—including lavish set designs replicating the White House and extensive visual effects—meant the show had to perform exceptionally well to justify a second season. Unfortunately, the timing worked against it. Releasing just after the widely acclaimed Adolescence series, The Residence was overshadowed despite its strong cast and premise. The financial strain and lukewarm long-term engagement ultimately led to its cancellation.

No Good Deed: On Hold but Not Forgotten

While not officially canceled, No Good Deed—created by Liz Feldman and starring O-T Fagbenle and Teyonah Parris—is currently on indefinite pause. The anthology-style series drew comparisons to The White Lotus, offering a darkly comedic exploration of morality and privilege. It had a decent run, staying in Netflix’s Top 10 for four weeks and peaking at 6 million views.

The series wrapped up its first season with room for a second installment. However, due to its mixed critical reception and moderate viewership, Netflix has paused discussions around a renewal. That said, insiders suggest a reworked concept might eventually bring the show back in a new form.

Netflix’s Broader Strategy in 2025

The cancellation of these shows follows several major renewals by Netflix this year, including fan-favorites Bridgerton and The Diplomat. It’s clear that Netflix is continuing to reshape its content strategy—balancing risk-taking new formats with reliable high-return hits. As the platform battles for viewer retention in a competitive streaming market, only the most engaging and cost-effective productions seem to be surviving.

For now, Netflix cancels Pulse and The Residence as part of its 2025 clean-up, leaving behind some ambitious but ultimately unsustainable projects. Whether No Good Deed will return in a refreshed form remains a question for the months ahead.

About Post Author

Catherine Robert

Catherine Roberts is a seasoned news editor and writer at TheNewsTimes.co.uk, bringing her extensive expertise to the forefront of journalism. With a passion for storytelling, she has been engaging audiences through her insightful blog for the past five years, covering a wide range of topics with clarity and depth.

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