Netflix’s Shocking Cancellation: Why The Brothers Sun Didn’t Get a Second Chance!

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Summary

  • Netflix canceled One-season hit show The Brothers Sun despite high ratings and entertainment value.
  • The cancellation may be due to significant expense and low viewership, possibly leading to the platform strictly relying on streaming metrics.
  • The show faced critique for lack of Asian authenticity, yet was praised for blending family drama, comedy, and action effectively.

A little over a year back, Netflix introduced an exceptional action-comedy-drama series, but unfortunately, it was cut short. Featuring Michelle Yeoh in the lead role, this show found itself among Netflix’s list of one-season cancellations – a fate it seemed unfair to have met.

The series under discussion is titled “The Brothers Sun,” a creation by Brad Falchuk and Byron Wu. Netflix has gained a reputation for not renewing some of its highly original first-season productions, as seen with shows like “KAOS” and “1899.” Such cancellations suggest that the platform might need to revise its strategies to ensure the longevity and continued success of its truly promising series.

What Is The Brothers Sun About?

Family Soap Meets Asian Gangster Action

In “The Brothers Sun,” the narrative centers around the Sun clan, once infamous for their gangster ties in Taipei. However, Eileen, affectionately known as ‘Mama’ Sun, and her younger son Bruce, seek a peaceful life by relocating to California. Unfortunately, Mama Sun’s attempts at a new beginning are thwarted when her eldest son, Charles Sun, arrives in Los Angeles, revealing the nature of their family business to Bruce.

In my case, I was nurtured under the tough tutelage of my criminal mastermind father, molding me into a ruthless gangster. Yet, my life took a dramatic turn when my brother and I found ourselves on opposite paths. The chasm between us widened when my father, known as Big Sun, became a target for an assassination attempt. To shield my family from harm, I made the decision to relocate to the United States.

Series The Brothers Sun
Creators
  • Brad Falchuk
  • Byron Wu
Platform Netflix
Cast
  • Michelle Yeoh
  • Sam Song Li
  • Justin Chien
  • Highdee Kuan
Number of Episodes 8 (1 season)

Is The Brothers Sun Worth Watching?

Initially, the series titled “The Brothers Sun” effectively balances fun family entertainment with a mix of intense brutality and tender feelings. In keeping with its characters and setting, it offers a pleasing combination of English, Mandarin, and Korean dialogue. The key elements – thrilling action sequences and humorous dialogues – complement each other to make for an enjoyable viewing experience. Critics have responded positively, as evidenced by Rotten Tomatoes awarding it an 84% “Certified Fresh” rating and commending the performances of Michelle Yeoh and Justin Chien.

Cancellation After Just One Season

However, the impressive viewership and high ranking of “The Brothers Sun” on Netflix’s English-language series chart failed to dissuade them from canceling it prematurely. Just two months after its release, Netflix declared that there would be no second season. The show, which had climbed as high as number two and stayed on the list for approximately five weeks, was part of Netflix’s Top 10. Nevertheless, the viewership numbers were considered low by the platform’s usual standards. Michelle Yeoh, one of the stars, shared her surprise about the cancellation on Instagram.

Struggling to comprehend the reasons behind this heartache, yet incredibly proud of my brothers’ Sun family for the remarkable work they showcased to the world. They carry their heads high with dignity.

Why Was The Brothers Sun Canceled?

The Show Creator’s Expensive Netflix Deal

Brad Falchuk, a partner in creating the series, is renowned for previous projects such as “Glee” and “American Horror Story.” In fact, Netflix has an ongoing multi-million dollar agreement with Falchuk, which led to the production of “The Brothers Sun.” Regardless of the cancellation of this action-comedy drama, Falchuk’s collaboration with Netflix will continue due to his overall deal. As a result, it is plausible that Netflix had high hopes for the show’s audience, considering the significance of Falchuk’s contract.

High-Budget Episodes & Poor Viewership Ratio

It’s important to note that the streamer may not be entirely at fault for this decision. Creating shows like “The Brothers Sun” can come with substantial financial burdens, and the earnings aren’t always as clear-cut as box office receipts from movies. Given that each episode of “The Brothers Sun” might have cost over a million dollars, it makes sense why Netflix appeared eager to cancel the series. Additionally, there were hints suggesting that a potential Season 2 would be set in Taiwan, which could have posed challenges for filming due to budgetary constraints, especially since the show didn’t generate a significant return on investment.

Apparent Lack Of Asian Authenticity

One likely reason for The Brothers Sun being cancelled was the diverse responses from the Asian American entertainment industry. The series encountered slight criticism regarding its authenticity, specifically concerning the depiction of Asian gangsters. When it initially aired, viewers on social media noted that certain scenes appeared to have been directed by someone unfamiliar with Asian gangster movies.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the unique blend of family drama, dark comedy, and pulse-pounding action in “The Brothers Sun.” Michelle Yeoh’s outstanding performance truly topped off this delightful mix. It was never meant to be taken too literally, but as a triad-style show, it did present a challenge when balancing these elements with the family dynamic. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder if Season 2 could have delved deeper into the Taiwanese gangster aspects, giving us a darker and more immersive experience. Alas, it might be too late for such changes now.

Why Is Netflix Quickly Canceling Shows?

The cancellation of “The Brothers Sun” underscores the fact that not a sufficient number of viewers tuned in to keep the series going. Each original production on Netflix has a limited time to demonstrate its worth, and it’s apparent that “The Brothers Sun” fell short of meeting the strict streaming requirements set by the platform. The data and analytics are evolving at an unprecedented pace, with the evaluation period shrinking from months to weeks. In the not-so-distant future, if a show fails to impress early on, it could be terminated in just a few days. This rapid cancellation trend is concerning. During a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times, co-creator of “Bojack Horseman,” Raphael Bob-Waksberg, touched upon this issue.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on our journey with ‘BoJack.’ Initially, it was clear that Netflix’s approach was to provide shows the opportunity to find their footing and grow their fanbase. It’s truly disheartening to see them seem to stray from this model now.

This situation clearly illustrates Netflix’s heavy reliance on numerical data instead of a program’s inherent quality. Despite criticisms, The Brothers Sun deserved additional consideration before its termination. Conversely, some of their hit shows have been releasing mediocre seasons consecutively, yet they keep getting renewed due to meeting the streaming service’s criteria. It’s a Hollywood fact that the public is never mistaken, but maybe they require more than just a brief period to determine their true preferences.

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2025-01-23 21:56