Z Nation
SYFY’sZ Nationwas canceled after five seasons despite there being notable demand online forZ Nationseason six . BeforeThe Walking Dead , the approximation of a zombie television set show becoming a major hit seemed unlikely . The zombie spirit movie music genre had been largely dormant when it was given a major shot in the arm with 2002’s28 Days LaterandResident Evil , and it was n’t long until the horde were on the march again in every medium . The walk Deadproved zombies and television set were a compeer made in heaven , and before long , more zombi show , likeZ Nation , emerged . UnlikeThe Walking Deadthough , Z Nationseason 6 and beyond never saw the light of day . So why wasZ Nationcanceled despite get a loyal fanbase ?
The Walking Deadgrew to become a huge franchise , spawning multiple spin - off show , and video games . One thing the show has been routinely criticise over , however , is its relentlessly dour and grim tone . On the other side of the spectrum isZ Nation , a zombi show that debut on SYFY back in 2014.Z Nationhad many shocking deaths , such asLoststar Harold Perrineau originally being sell as the star only to die in episode 1 , but it wasn’tThe take the air Dead — a stylistic distinction that gained it a dedicated cult following . Z Nationlacked the budget ofThe Walking Deadbut made up for that with a horse sense of merriment and self - awareness . There was even aGeorge R.R. MartinZ Nationcameoas a zombie version of himself during the second time of year . It had its admirers , so why wasZ Nationcanceled ?
Z Nation Met The Same Fate As Many SYFY Shows
Z Nationwas never a Brobdingnagian rating hit , but it did estimable business sector for SYFY , which is why its time of year 5 cancellation came as a electric shock . The serial may have been canned because the net tends to cap their show at five seasons max , probably due to the jump costs . The first time of year ofZ Nationwas made with a budget of under $ 700,000 per episode . This would have move up as the show progressed , due to both actors ' monetary value increasing and the scope of the expanding chronicle requiring a higher budget for SFX .
Z Nationisn’t alone in the SYFY season 5 cut - off though , as popular shows likeStargate Atlantisand cult seriesEurekawere also axed before time of year 6 despite arguably being successful . Even if the budget for the zombie sci - fi epic had n’t incrementally increased with each season , the chances that SYFY would makeZ Nationseason 6 were always slim .
In addition to rising costs , theZ Nationviewership decreased with each season . As consecrated as theZ Nationfanbase is , by season 5 they were almost the only multitude still invest in the show . time of year 1 ofZ Nationpulled in a sizeable 1.42 million views per episode on average . This human body dropping was expect , and evenThe walk Deadlost viewers . However , by season 5 theZ Nationviewership had dwindle down to under 500,000 ( fit in totvseriesfinale.com ) .
When put in the context of use of paying more money for fewer viewers , SYFY ’s decision not to shoot their 5 - season trend forZ Nationmakes a lot of sense . That does n’t mean the cast , crew , and fans ofZ Nationwere quenched though . Despite doing its upright to wrap up lax remnant , season 5 ended on a massive cliffhanger , with Murphy experience a vision after wipe out some of Sun Mei ’s brain . It could have been her counterpoison , allowing Murphy to immunize what ’s leave of human race from the deathly Z Virus ( not to be bedevil withThe WalkingDead ’s Wildfire Virus zombie outbreak ) . Sadly , Z Nationfans will never discover out what he witness .
How The Z Nation Prequel Series Is Different
When the cancelation news came through in 2018,Z Nationfans who hop for time of year six could at least take solace that a prequel show , Black Summer , was on the way , depict the origins of the outbreak . However , the tones of the two display are quite different , to the pointedness that whenBlack Summerlead Jaime King spoke toScreenRantshe stated , " It ’s interesting because citizenry started tying[Black Summer]to Z Nation , and I ’m like this has nothing to do with that . It ’s not a link to Z Nation . I had never actually seen Z Nation or get a line about Z Nation , but I have friend who utterly love that show , and then people started putting it out there that it was like a prequel of Z Nation , which it ’s not" . Two seasons ofBlack Summerhave made it to Netflix , in 2019 and 2021 severally . Black Summerseason 3 was never officially canceled , but a third time of year has n’t materialized in 2023 .
If even the lead onBlack Summerdoesn’t think much of the link between the two shows , the prequel show could hardly be expect to cancel theZ Nationitch . Z Nationis a revulsion dramatic play with comedic undertones ( though not as in - your - brass as other zombi comedies like thehilariousShaun of the Dead).Black Summeris a psychological narration about refugees trying to pull through armageddon . Yes , the shows picture the same Z Virus outbreak , but they do n’t feel spiritually linked , and this is n’t serve by the fact that noZ Nationcharacters have picture up inBlack Summeryet .
While both shows are produced by The Asylum , Black Summeris a darker offering that lacks a lot of the magic spell and clear - heartedness that inspired many of theZ Nationfollowing to choose the SYFY show over contender likeThe Walking Dead(the debate between the two camp online did , at times , get heated).Black Summerisn’t a bad show , it simply is n’t the wing ofZ Nationmany had hop for — although Netflix does have more light - hearted zombie demonstrate likeResident Evil , so there are alternative .
Related : Black Summer Season 3 News & Updates : Everything We have intercourse
Where To Watch Z Nation Now That It’s Left Netflix
ForZ Nationfans who want to binge their favorite episodes , that used to be potential with the aid of the cyclosis armed service Netflix . Z Nationleft the cyclosis service in January 2023 though , so fan , as well as those looking to get into the show for the first fourth dimension , will have to notice it elsewhere .
The good news show is that even thoughZ Nationseason 6 did n’t come to be , what air of the serial publication is still available on a variety of other streaming program for lover . The serial can be rented and streamed through services like Vudu , Google Play , and Amazon Video . Google Play only has the first three seasons . Amazon and Vudu , however , have access to all five seasons .
