Santa Clarita Diet is back in the grave as Netflix cancels the series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Santa Clarita Diet was never going to be one of Netflix's biggest shows, but the zombie comedy starring Timothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore struck a chord with a vocal group of fans, myself included. Sadly, it seems that the recently released third season will be the series' last as Netflix has elected to cancel the show. D'oh.

"The world had never known a 'zom-com' until Santa Clarita Diet, and we're indebted to creator Victor Fresco for bringing this idea to Netflix," reads a Netflix statement. "To their endless credit, the incredible Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant were totally game, with an uncanny knack for comedy that brought Sheila and Joel Hammond to vibrant life, even though one of them was undead. We're grateful to Victor, Drew and Timothy, along with fellow executive producers Tracy Katsky, Aaron Kaplan, Chris Miller and Ember Truesdell and the terrific cast, including Liv Hewson and Skyler Gisondo, and crew for three hilarious seasons for Netflix members to discover for years to come." Creator Victor Fresco had originally planned for Santa Clarita Diet to run three seasons, but crafted the recent finale without knowing if it would be a season finale or a series finale. Unfortunately, it would seem to be the later. In a further statement, Victor Fresco and executive producer Tracy Katsky said:

Like our audience, we were all-in on Sheila and Joel. Their relationship, in the face of incredible adversity, was inspiring to write and to watch. Mostly, they were funny, which in a comedy is important. Working with Drew and Tim, along with the immensely talented Liv and Skyler, was a joy and a once in a lifetime experience. Netflix took a chance on this odd show and for that we will always be grateful. They were supportive, ever positive, and appreciative of our work. Until about noon today. Still, they were just one phone call away from being a perfect studio. Not bad. Everything ends. This was a thing. And so it ended. We'll miss it but are proud of the work we did and will always appreciate the love and enthusiasm we felt from our audience. If it was up to them, Sheila and Joel would continue for another 10,000 years.

"Of all of the characters I've ever been, Sheila Hammond is one of my favorites," said star and executive producer Barrymore. "She and Joel were an amazing couple, who had shared goals. And I am lucky to have worked alongside Tim Olyphant. It was an honor to get to do something so delightful. Sheila lives forever in me. And I am grateful to Victor Fresco, who created a world so unique." Timothy Olyphant added, "I loved working on this show. I'm going to continue coming in and doing scenes. If they don't want to film it, that's up to them."