The first big canceled show of 2022 just got the axe from Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video logo on a TV
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Update: A Blade Runner TV series is being made by Amazon.

Well, that didn’t take long. We’re only a handful of days into the new year but already the first big canceled show of 2022 has been announced, and it comes from Amazon Prime Video.  

Deadline reports that the teen horror series I Know What You Did Last Summer will not be returning for a second season. The show has been axed after just a single collection of eight episodes. Granted, when you consider the first season received a pretty lukewarm reception (it has a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes), its cancellation doesn’t come as a great surprise. Editor's note: in more positive news, one of CBS' canceled shows is finally coming back (just on another network).

The show was based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel of the same name, but audiences may more likely know it from the successful 1997 film starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Two significantly less successful sequels followed in 1998 and 2006 respectively. Unfortunately, the television reboot won’t be seeing any follow-ups of its own. 

Like the original novel and 90s movie, the show follows a group of teenagers who cover up a fatal car crash and are subsequently haunted by a mysterious figure who appears to have knowledge of their past misdeed. The series was written by Sara Goodman and starred Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, and Bill Heck.

Looking for shows you can watch? Well, we've got all the details on how to watch Peacemaker, the new HBO Max series that spins off out of The Suicide Squad. We've also got the details on how to watch Boba Fett episode 3, to see where the former bounty hunter goes next. Also, America's favorite drag reality series continues this week when you watch RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 episode 2.

Analysis: Amazon pulled a Netflix canceling this one

While the news of its cancellation will no doubt come as a disappointment to dedicated viewers of the series, at least the show didn’t end on an unresolved cliffhanger. The first season tied up all the remaining loose ends and works as an effective series conclusion. Although, Goodman had previously spoken about a desire to write a second season in the future. 

I Know What You Did Last Summer only premiered on Amazon Prime Video last October. Such a rapid cancellation would suggest the show struggled to find an audience out of the gate. It’s also drawn unflattering comparisons between Prime Video and Netflix. The world’s biggest streaming service is notorious for canceling original shows without mercy, regularly swinging the axe if a series doesn’t enjoy almost instant success. 

I Know What You Did Last Summer may be the first, but it certainly won’t be the last major TV cancellation of 2022. We expect plenty more series won’t make it to 2023 as the competition for viewers' attention has never been more fierce. At least Amazon Prime Video subscribers can comfort themselves with the news that The Boys season 3 premiere date has been confirmed for June. 

In other entertainment news, we've seen a potential leak for the Spider-Man: No Way Home digital release date — but we're not exactly sure how much faith to place in it. Looking for something else to watch? Australian Open 2022 live steams are practically here, and we've got all the news you need.

Rory Mellon
Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.