Things are working out a bit differently this time around with renewals over at The CW. The network usually renews a huge slew of its lineup at the start of the year but things played out a bit differently this year. While shows like The Flash, Riverdale, and Superman & Lois were swiftly picked up, a large number of their programming is still waiting on word about their renewal and many of them are DC shows that are on the bubble of being canceled. This also has to do with the looming prospect that WarnerMedia and Paramount are looking to sell The CW.
The DC TV shows that are still hoping to return next season are Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, newcomer Naomi, and Stargirl. In the case of Stargirl, its current season isn’t set to air until this summer and it has a co-financed deal with HBO Max so its fate isn’t as tied to the other DC TV shows that are in danger. Per Deadline, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, and Naomi are in consideration alongside their potential new superhero series, Gotham Knights. The pilot for Gotham Knights is still being shot but what’s making fans very nervous about the aforementioned shows is that the report on Deadline indicates that only half of those DC properties are expected to join the lineup. That means unless there is a big shift in their decision-making, only two of those shows will make the cut.
The CW is reportedly high on Gotham Knights so unless the completed pilot is a mess, it’s likely a sure thing for a series pickup. That would leave one vacant spot for the other DC TV shows that are in limbo and it just comes down to which one is more viable? Legends of Tomorrow, in my opinion, has the biggest chance of getting the other spot. The show has been on for seven seasons and even though The CW has treated the show like the rotten stepchild of the Arrowverse, the series has remained a fan favorite and critics have frequently called it the best of the DC shows. I would hope they would at least renew it for a final season to give fans closure because otherwise, it would be a huge slap in the face to everyone that has supported the show. Season seven ended on a major cliffhanger so it would be even more upsetting for fans.
Batwoman’s third season wrapped up most of its stories from the season but the finale did tease a new Big Bad for season four. Naomi’s first season wraps up on May 10, 2022, so it remains to be seen if the season gives the show a complete ending or sets something up for season two.
Fans have really gotten behind Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman in a big way on social media. When news began to break that the shows were on the bubble, fans began taking to Twitter to campaign for their return. Both titles trended on the platform with the stars and creative teams behind the shows, also supporting the online movement for their return. This doesn’t always help but it has been known to play a factor in a network’s decision to renew series that are on the bubble.
Which DC TV shows on The CW do you think will return and which could get canceled?