Netflix cancels popular LGBT show Sense8, leaving fans devastated

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Netflix has announced it is cancelling its popular show Sense8, leaving fans devastated.

The show was the one of the first science fiction dramas to explore gender and sexuality, giving it a loyal following of LGBT fans.

The acclaimed drama series was directed by transgender siblings Lana and Lilly Wachowski.

It followed eight pansexual characters around the world, who had an apparent psychic connection.

Netflix cancels popular LGBT show Sense8, leaving fans devastated

 

The show features openly trans actress Jamie Clayton – making it notable as the first mainstream show to have an openly trans writers penning a trans role for an openly trans actress.

“After 23 episodes, 16 cities and 13 countries, the story of the Sense8 cluster is coming to an end,” Cindy Holland, vice president of original content for Netflix, said in a statement.

“It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kick ass, and outright unforgettable,” she continued.

“Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world.”

The show’s cancellation has been rumoured for many months, with star Brian J Smith – who plays sensate Will Gorski – admitting in February that the show’s future was up in the air.

Netflix cancels popular LGBT show Sense8, leaving fans devastated

Many online fans were left shocked and upset, with some pointing out the “cruelty” of cancelling a show popular with LGBT viewers on the first day of June, the month of Pride in the US.

Many fans were surprised when co-director Lilly Wachowski pulled out of the show last year, leaving her sister Lana to run the show alone.

Lilly was widely hailed for her bravery earlier last year after making her first public appearance since coming out at the GLAAD Media Awards.

The Matrix director came out last year.