In the vast landscape of streaming platforms, Netflix has become a powerhouse for original content. However, not all shows find the lasting success of Orange is the New Black or Stranger Things. Despite its captivating premise and dedicated fanbase, 2020 release Spinning Out sadly fell victim to cancellation after just one season with its potential all-star cast thrown to the wayside.
Spinning Out was underrated considering its ensemble cast including Kaya Scodelario (Effy Stonem of Skins UK) and Willow Shields (Prim in The Hunger Games). Advanced ice skater Kat Baker is about to turn in her skates after a traumatic head injury on the competition track. When Kat is given the opportunity to skate in the pairs division with Justin (Evan Roderick), she must overcome her tumultuous home life and fragile physical and mental health.
One of the primary reasons for the cancellation of Spinning Out was likely high production costs. The show revolved around the highly technical and visually stunning sport of competitive figure skating. Creating realistic skating sequences, intricate costumes, and captivating set designs required significant financial resources.
Spinning Out rivals the more popular 13 Reasons Why with a refreshingly accurate portrayal of mental illness. Kat suffers from bipolar disorder inherited from her abusive momager (January Jones) and predictably falls for her bad-boy partner Justin during a bout of mania later into the skating season.
But it's profit driving Netflix's reliability data-driven decision-making, and if a show does not attract a substantial number of viewers, the platform may opt to discontinue it. In a competitive streaming landscape, where new content is constantly vying for attention, Spinning Out's viewership might not have met Netflix's expectations, resulting in its cancellation.
While it's somewhat of a relief that the cancellation curse isn't limited to sapphic content, it's unfortunate that the bad juju extends to talented female creators like Samantha Stratton.
It's no secret that effective marketing and promotion play a vital role in a project's success. Despite having an intriguing premise and a talented cast, the show did not receive the same level of extensive marketing and promotion as some of Netflix's other flagship shows. Limited exposure and a lack of targeted promotion might have hindered the show's ability to reach a wider audience, negatively impacting its viewership and contributing to its cancellation. But platforms could at least have the decency not to abandon a promising series on a cliffhanger. And it seems the writers agree.
The story ends at Sectionals, where Kat and Justin perform together for what might be their last time. Kat suspects her Serena's coach, Mitch, is behaving inappropriately.
Spinning Out's cancellation highlights the unpredictability and competitiveness of the streaming industry, where even well-received shows can meet an untimely end.
