Plenty of great One Piece is based on long and complex source material that it would take years to fully adapt, even with a significant number of seasons. Many of these shows might struggle to bring all of their narrative arcs to a satisfying close.

One of the biggest issues with TV shows today is how easily a series can end, even if it's critically acclaimed and has decent viewership. While there's never a guarantee that our favorite shows will be renewed year after year, streaming has made this balance even more tenuous. Though none of these TV series deserve to be canceled, there are many external factors that determine the trajectory of a show, and I can't be positive that some of these long and winding story arcs will reach their planned conclusion before their network or streamer pulls the plug.

10 One Piece (2023–Present)

Netflix's live-action take on One Piece has a lot of ground to cover

What began as a beloved manga series and anime show has recently become a live-action TV series as well, but Netflix's adaptation of the story has a long way to go. One Piece is considered one of the best Netflix live-action anime shows. Thanks to its good reviews and strong viewership, One Piece won't necessarily be canceled anytime soon. However, there are almost too many arcs within the One Piece canon for the series to touch upon them all.

The live-action One Piece doesn't have to include all the filler episodes that the anime is known for, but even sticking to the story arcs that further the plot will take a lot of time. Between the size of this undertaking and the fact that Netflix pours a lot of time, energy, and resources into the production of each season, the popularity of One Piece won't necessarily save it from sudden cancellation. However, One Piece season 2 is on its way and will give us a good idea of the show's trajectory.

9 The Wheel Of Time (2021–Present)

Amazon Prime's fantasy series has already sped up its timeline

Based on the acclaimed high fantasy book series by Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time has helped cement Amazon Prime as a heavy-hitter within the fantasy genre, but the show is still in its infancy. With fourteen books in the series, The Wheel of Time covers a lot of ground before its exciting conclusion. However, the likelihood that The Wheel of Time would run for fourteen seasons is slim. Though iconic fantasy shows like Supernatural and The Walking Dead stayed on the air for many years, The Wheel of Time is more expensive to produce.

Which of The Wheel of Time books that the TV show will adapt in the coming seasons is a big question. The Wheel of Time season 3 will skip over most of the events of The Dragon Reborn, book 2, diving straight into The Shadow Rising, book 3. If The Wheel of Time hopes to tackle all of the biggest narrative arcs in the series, then it must continue condensing and omitting some of the secondary plotlines.

8 The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power (2022–Present)

This Lord of the Rings prequel series has been polarizing

Despite the enormous name recognition and popularity of The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power has stirred up some controversy among fans and critics. Amazon Prime's series is unafraid to take liberties with J.R.R. Tolkien's text and expand the world to fit the dramas and intrigue of its original story. Like The Wheel of Time, The Rings of Power is also one of the most expensive TV shows ever made, making it a sizable investment.

So far, The Rings of Power has been using the mystery box formula, dropping hints and leading us down a rabbit hole each season to uncover the essential question of each season.

So far, The Rings of Power has been using the mystery box formula, dropping hints and leading us down a rabbit hole each season to uncover the essential question of each season. While this is an effective conceit, The Rings of Power season 3, which was recently confirmed, needs to branch out and start wrapping up some of the many plot threads it's been weaving. However, it wouldn't be too surprising if The Rings of Power doesn't get much further than season 3 without providing any new answers.

7 Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023–Present)

The Percy Jackson TV show could soon face a similar problem to Stranger Things

Disney+'s recent adaptation of Rick Riordan's beloved children's fantasy series was immediately hailed for being a much stronger iteration of the stories than the 2010s movies. A large part of this is because the actors are the same age as their characters, lending a much stronger sense of realism and emotional impact. However, the eternal issue with casting young/child actors is that they often grow up much more quickly than the series can put out seasons.

It's already been two years since Percy Jackson & The Olympians season 1 premiered, and the main actors are aging fast. Though the original Percy Jackson series only has five books, the series needs to keep grabbing the audience's attention to bring each one to life before the performers are too old to be believable. While season 1 was well-received, Percy Jackson & The Olympians should attempt to age with the characters and lean into the action-oriented elements as it progresses.

6 Mayfair Witches (2023–Present)

Anne Rice's lesser-known book series isn't AMC's strongest show

Even though AMC's Mayfair Witches received a middling critical and audience reception, the series was renewed for season 2. I was glad that the series had the opportunity to come into its own and continue down the exciting path it laid with season 1. Fortunately, season 2 increased the drama and tension of the story and saw the star, Alexandra Daddario, come into her own as the protagonist, Rowan. Since season 2 didn't have to do as much exposition and world-building, the story got a chance to shine

It would be a disappointment if Mayfair Witches didn't get to explore where Rowan is headed following the explosive events of the finale.

Mayfair Witches hasn't been officially renewed for season 3, which would round out the trilogy of books the series is based on. In the wake of the season 2 finale, there are many loose ends and character arcs that need further development. It would be a disappointment if Mayfair Witches didn't get to explore where Rowan is headed following the explosive events of the finale. However, it wouldn't be totally unexpected for the series to be cut short.

5 Yellowjackets (2021–Present)

This surreal survival show has lost steam since season 1

When Yellowjackets first premiered in 2021, it had no trouble finding an audience and carving out a niche for itself within the thriller landscape on television. However, though the initial premise of the series was strong, Yellowjackets has struggled to maintain momentum and interest in the story. Many of the recent reveals about the hinted supernatural forces the characters are grappling with have been a letdown, and the show keeps rehashing old plots.

Yellowjackets season 3 is well underway but still lacks the propulsive tension of season 1. The performances are strong, and it's just as easy to care about the characters as it was at the start of the show, but it's easy to worry that Yellowjackets has lost its way. As the series progresses, it would be upsetting if Yellowjackets never got back into its groove and finally gave the audiences the answers we've been waiting for.

4 Foundation (2021–Present)

Apple TV's expansive sci-fi series is a massive undertaking

Apple TV has never been afraid to sink considerable time and resources into its original shows. This makes sense, as the streamer doesn't spend its money acquiring a backlog of older content the way Netflix or Max does. Due to this, sci-fi epics like Foundation dwarf their contemporaries in size and scope, with the complex source material by Isaac Asimov contributing to this epic series that's captured so many people's attention.

There's a lot of pressure on Foundation season 3 to live up to the standard set by season 2 and pave the way for coming installments.

Asimov's series includes seven novels, not the most for a sprawling space opera, but Asimov has no trouble covering hundreds of years and many intergalactic miles throughout the works. Due to this, Foundation has had to incorporate time jumps and heavy exposition into its episodes while keeping the viewer engaged with action and complex character relationships. There's a lot of pressure on Foundation season 3 to live up to the standard set by season 2 and pave the way for coming installments.

3 School Spirits (2023–Present)

This supernatural teen drama deserves to continue its upward trajectory

Peyton List has been proving herself to be much more than a child star in her recent TV show, School Spirits, a supernatural teen drama that rises above the competition. Though it grapples with the classic ups and downs of coming of age, School Spirits also touches upon real and serious discussions of grief, giving it an edge in the over-saturated teen genre. School Spirits season 2 has made good on the promise of season 1, opening the door for more installments.

Fortunately, School Spirits season 2 had an uptick in viewership, which always bodes well for future renewal, but there hasn't been any news of season 3 yet. School Spirits has never shied away from incorporating massive twists and leaving audiences on a cliffhanger, so it's more than likely that School Spirits will set itself up for a storyline that requires a third season. This can be an effective strategy to get renewed, but it could also leave audiences disappointed.

2 The Sex Lives Of College Girls (2021–Present)

Mindy Kaling's chronicle of high education has had many ups and downs

The Sex Lives of College Girls season 3 incorporated many big changes and shook up the TV show's formula to mixed results. One of the series' biggest stars, Reneé Rapp, left the show, leaving a hole in the central foursome that the show relied on for its chemistry. However, in some ways, The Sex Lives of College Girls has benefited from this soft reboot, opening the door for the characters to expand their horizons and not be boxed into a particular archetype.

There's no word yet on The Sex Lives of College Girls season 4, but season 3's strong viewership is certainly a step in the right direction.

Throughout the seasons, The Sex Lives of College Girls has kept its finger on the pulse and tried to remain as relevant as possible, which can be a challenge in the age of the internet. There's no word yet on The Sex Lives of College Girls season 4, but season 3's strong viewership is certainly a step in the right direction. However, the third installment had a weaker critical reception, leaving off on an uncertain path for many of the young women, particularly Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet).

1 Sugar (2024–Present)

This genre-bending sci-fi series has great potential

As one of the best sci-fi TV shows of 2024, Sugar boasts an excellent cast led by Colin Farrell and Kirby, among others. Already renewed for season 2, Sugar isn't in danger of ending on a cliffhanger quite yet, but I'm worried that season 2 won't answer all of our questions. Throughout Sugar season 1, the series wrapped up its more episodic arc, but the overarching questions that we were left grappling with are nowhere near answered.

Sugar had an unbelievable, genre-bending twist halfway through season 1 that might have thrown many viewers for a loop. This changed the way we watched Sugar and paved the way for a series that goes far beyond the Hollywood noir references and crime thriller at the heart of the story. By the end of Sugar season 1, Farrell's John Sugar was left questioning what his next move should be and hinting at even greater mysteries in the future.