Netflix has pulled the plug on two buzzy originals—both medical drama Pulse and crime anthology The Residence will end after just one season, despite initial fanfare.
End of the shift for Pulse doctors
When Pulse debuted on April 3, its Miami trauma unit and hurricane-ravaged ER promised high-stakes drama. Starring Jessie T. Usher and Willa Fitzgerald, the show rocketed into Netflix’s Top 10 with 6.5 million views, holding on for four weeks. Yet, harsher-than-expected reviews and stiff competition from Max’s beloved The Pitt left Pulse in a lurch. Cast and crew were quietly told over a month ago that there’d be no renewal, ending any hope of another round of professional scandals and storm-chasing.
No new case for Cordelia Cupp
Similarly, The Residence—Shondaland’s whodunit following Uzo Aduba’s detective Cordelia Cupp—peaked at 8.8 million views in week two but couldn’t sustain its momentum. Launched in March, it struggled to stand out amid Netflix hits like Adolescence. Despite its hefty budget and anthology potential, executives opted not to commission a second season, closing the book on Cupp’s next investigation.
In today’s crowded streaming landscape, even solid starts and strong viewership aren’t a guarantee. For fans of Pulse and The Residence, it’s a reminder: no matter how popular a show seems, only time (and sustained engagement) tells if it’ll stick around.
