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NBC has just announced its first 2026-27 cancellations, cutting two shows. The network dumped the sophomore medical drama Brilliant Minds and freshman comedy Stumble on May 1. What’s next for these beloved series and where do NBC shows stand now.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Cancellation Date: NBC made the announcement on May 1, 2026, marking NBC’s first 2026-27 season cuts
- Brilliant Minds Status: 2-season run ending, final 6 episodes air May 27 on NBC
- Stumble Status: Freshman comedy canceled after 13-episode season, series finale aired in March
- Still On Bubble: Law & Order and The Hunting Party remain undecided for renewal
Brilliant Minds Ends After Two Seasons With Zachary Quinto
Brilliant Minds becomes NBC’s lowest-rated drama on linear television. The medical thriller starring Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Dr. Oliver Wolf faced mounting viewership declines throughout Season 2. The show’s premise followed Wolf and his team at a Bronx hospital solving medical mysteries. NBC pulled it from its post-Olympics schedule in February, sidelining new episodes to make room for extended Voice broadcasts. Despite critical interest early on, ratings couldn’t sustain the renewal.
The series wrapped 20 Season 2 episodes, with the final 6 episodes releasing May 27 after cancellation. The medical drama, produced by Warner Bros. Television and based on Oliver Sacks’ books, had secure post-Voice Monday positioning but lost viewers week after week. Creative shifts in Season 2, including controversial storylines, reportedly pushed fans away from the show.
NBC cancels Brilliant Minds and Stumble as first 2026-27 cancellations
John Krasinski writing A Quiet Place Part III, set to start filming soon
Stumble Falls Short in One Season Despite Strong Reviews
Stumble scored 82% critical approval and 96% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes. The cheerleading mockumentary comedy showcased Jenn Lyon as a celebrated coach reassigned to junior college duty after scandalous incidents. The series’ wit and cast excellence impressed reviewers consistently. Yet NBC audiences didn’t follow the show to its Friday evening time slot behind Reba McEntire’s multi-camera sitcom Happy’s Place.
Despite Universal Television’s creative support and multiple scheduling moves designed to reach wider viewership, the show couldn’t gain traction. Stumble ran 13 episodes from November 2025 through March 2026. Viewers loved the campus setting and Lyon’s leadership arc, but NBC needed stronger numbers for renewal consideration. The network tried repositioning the show but ultimately concluded insufficient audience size justified cancellation.
What’s Next as NBC Finalizes Spring Decisions
| Show Status | Decision |
| Law & Order (Original) | On Bubble – Decision Expected Soon |
| The Hunting Party | On Bubble – Competing for Renewal |
| Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins | Likely Renewal (Reduced Order) |
| Chicago Shows (Fire, Med, PD) | All Renewed for 2026-27 |
The Hunting Party, starring Melissa Roxburgh, remains in strong contention. The sophomore drama benefited from Season 1 performing well on Netflix, creating halo effects for Peacock next-day streaming. Linear ratings improved compared to early season performance. Meanwhile, Law & Order captured audiences this season after previous struggles, hitting creative stride. NBC faces tough choices preserving veteran franchises while making room for new pilots entering consideration for fall 2026.
“Brilliant Minds is NBC’s lowest rated drama series on linear with the steepest double-digit year-to-year declines despite having the same post-Voice Monday time slot as last season.”
— Deadline Hollywood, NBC Cancellation News Report
Audience Response and Cancellation Timing
Stumble fans voiced disappointment online, with viewers hoping the comedy finds a new home on streaming platforms. Netflix and other streamers reportedly show interest in rescued NBC series. For Brilliant Minds, audience members criticized Season 2’s narrative turns, particularly controversial storytelling choices added late in production. Comments on entertainment sites noted the show lost its uplifting tone during mid-season shifts. NBC upfront presentations approaching in May will feature new series pilots vying for 2026-27 placement.
Both cancellations indicate NBC’s need for stronger ratings foundations. The network pulled expensive projects from costly time slots to redirect resources. Industry insiders note Friday comedy struggles persist across broadcast television, with Stumble suffering the same scheduling headwinds affecting genre entries elsewhere. Brilliant Minds’ cancer proved more fundamental to renewal decisions, requiring drastic viewership improvements that never materialized despite last-season efforts.
Will NBC’s New Pilots Fill These Gaps for Fall 2026?
NBC ordered several intriguing pilots for 2026-27 consideration, including a Rockford Files reboot starring David Boreanaz. This PI procedural faces strong competition from other pilots including Dan Goor’s PI comedy and various backup options. The network seeks shows that can anchor schedule blocks and sustain viewers across full seasons. New entries will need proven casting, compelling premises, and network commitment matching what failed shows received. NBC executives publicly stated they expect quick decisions on pilot orders within coming weeks.
