Netflix writer reveals the best way to save shows from being canceled

Imani Lewis as Cal and Sarah Catherine Hook as Juliette in Netflix's First Kill
(Image credit: Netflix)

You’ve all seen the headlines: New Netflix show canceled after one season. First Kill, Resident Evil, and Cowboy Bebop have all bitten the bullet in recent months – along with several others. Now, writer Michael Green (Logan, Blade Runner 2049, Netflix’s BioShock movie) has spelled out the best way to stop any future shows from reaching a similarly grisly end.

"This will sound stupid (and it is) but if you are savoring a new show dropped on Netflix, if it’s all the same to you, please let the episodes play through right away so the completion is counted in a timeframe that is meaningful to the show’s success," Green said on Twitter.

In a follow-up post, Green explained that Netlix allegedly favors data for shows that have been fully completed by a viewer within its first 28 days.

"Let the full run of all episodes play through. As soon as possible. That is the metric that counts," Green wrote. "[Netflix’s] data does not yet value a show enjoyed over time. After the first 28 it hardly matters at all."

There it is: watch every single episode of a new show within its first four weeks. No matter how quickly it speeds out of the gate in terms of millions of hours watched, an audience needs to see it through to the end for it to seemingly matter to Netflix. If you want your new favorite show to get a second season, spread the word.

For more from the streamer, be sure to check out the best Netflix shows you can watch right now.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.