Summary
For reasons that seem baffling to many, Paramount+ has decided to cancel its popular supernatural series,Evil, but season 5 still needs to happen. The show has built a loyal fan base since it premiered on CBS in 2019 before it moved to Paramount+ for seasons 2 to 4, and their growing discontent is palpable in online forums and social media. Even the actors are desperate forEvilto continue, with the show’s stars imploring other networks to pick up the show. But so far, there seems to be no help in sight, andEvil’s lights will likely switch off forever after its finale airs on August 8.
ForEvil’s fans, the cancelation has hit hard. Many have turned online to vent their frustration at the streaming service for canceling a show that was consistently getting high viewership on both the Paramount+ platform and on Netflix, whereEvilseason 1 and 2 are also available. Hundreds shared theiranger and confusion atEvil’s Paramount+ cancelationon Screen Rant’s threads, withmany threatening to cancel their Paramount+ subscription after the finale. Whether Paramount+ executives recognize this act of protest remains to be seen, but for those frustrated at the shock cancelation, it’s the only way to have their voices heard.
Evil Season 4 Can’t End Without Solving This 5-Year-Old Prophecy Mystery
As the supernatural Paramount+ series Evil heads towards its series finale, the show must solve the mystery of the codex and its demonic sigils.
Evil’s Story Could & Should Continue In Evil Season 5
The Writers Say There Are Plenty More Stories Still To Tell
One positive thing that Paramount+ did in its decision to cancel the popular series was to allowEvilcreators, Robert and Michelle King, an extra four episodes at the end of the current season 4 to conclude the show, in what is being referred to asEvil’s mini season 5. However, it’s clear there are more stories to tell, and the Kings are rightfully disappointed that they won’t be able to share them. In an interview withUSA Today,Evilco-creator, Robert King said, “There’s still so much to talk about with evil in the world…It feels like a novel that you’re not going to write the last three chapters.”
As the long-running CW series,Supernatural, proved, horror themes punctuated with self-aware humor and a monster-of-the-week structure with broader season-long arcs can become a sustainable format.
The Kings have promisedclosure with theEvilending finale, but with a lot of ground to cover, those episodes will inevitably leave many unanswered questions. Given the show’s deep and expansive lore, multi-faceted characters, and narrative structure,Evilcould easily continue into season 5 and beyond. As the long-running CW series,Supernatural, proved, horror themes punctuated with self-aware humor and a monster-of-the-week structure with broader season-long arcs can become a sustainable format.
Of course, just because something could continue, doesn’t necessarily mean that it should. Other shows arguably ran too long, leading to divisive final seasons. ButEvilisn’t in this category. The show has many more stories to explore, demons to hunt, characters from previous seasons who deserve to return, and unexpected twists and turns that keep its viewers coming back week after week.
The Reaction To Evil’s Cancelation Shows It Was A Mistake
Fans And Cast Members Have Been Actively Petitioning For The Show To Stay
It’s undeniable that fans are livid atEvil’s cancelation and are taking to social media to share their discontent. They have started petitions to save the show, and are imploring other fans who are similarly disheartened by the show’s cancelation to write inEvilthree times onNetflix’s title request formin hopes the platform will pick up the series. As fans remain powerless in these executive decisions,these are the few ways viewers can fight back and express their frustration at the show finishing before its time.
The cast has also been quite vocal about their disappointmentwith the show ending.Andrea Martin, who plays Sister Andrea inEvil,has stated that “I feel disappointed that I won’t be able to carry on in a show that I think is such high quality, high artistry.” Katja Herbers, who plays Kristen Bouchard inEvil, also expressed that the cancelation “feels like a death… I’m a little in denial still.” In fact, Herbers has also been taking to social media to discuss the show’s popularity and pleading for another network to pick up what she calls a “cash cow.”
It’s not just the fans and cast that love the show, but critics too.Evilseason 4 boasts 100% on Rotten Tomatoesand has a 96% overall score. In any other period of television history, high viewership numbers and Nielsen ratings, rave reviews, a large and active fan base, and a cast and crew who love working on the series would be enough to warrant a show’s continuation. Which, again, calls into question,why would Paramount+ cancelEvil?This is the question viewers and the production team want answered.
Is Evil Season 5 Happening Realistic?
Unfortunately, Evil Season 5 Is Probably Not Happening
Realistically, anEvilseason 5 doesn’t look likely at this stage. Despite fans, Herbers, and the cast and crew urging for the show to be continued,there has been no indication that any other networks or streaming platforms have expressed interest in coming to the show’s rescue. It’s not impossible that the series is picked up elsewhere, or that anEvilspin-off seriescould be made in the future. The Kings have been involved in a string of popular spin-offs, includingThe Good FightandElsbeth, so perhaps this is a little more possible. But not a lot.
It seems that unless some miracle happens that would baffle even the likes of Kristen, David, and Ben, that this really is the end ofEvil. Its cancelation begs the question, what does it take to keep a show on air? If it’s not critical acclaim, high ratings, sharp writing, exceptional performances, passionate fans, and a supportive cast, then what more do networks need? In an era where the creativity seems increasingly more focused on the accounting than the product, it’s hard to know what more a show can do to survive. All bets are off. No show is safe.
Evil
Cast
Evil is a psychological mystery series that follows a skeptical forensic psychologist, Kristen Bouchard, who teams up with a Catholic priest-in-training and a tech expert to investigate purportedly supernatural incidents. The series delves into complex themes of religion, science, and the nature of evil through its deeply layered narrative and character development. The show stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, and Aasif Mandvi.
