Dead End: Paranormal Park has been cancelled, according to creator Hamish Steele.
In a statement posted to social media, Steele revealed that Netflix “don’t want” to move forward with the beloved LGBTQ+ animation series, which aired two seasons last year.
Steele said he’s “held onto this news for a while now”, hoping that he could “reverse” the streamer’s decision: “But sadly, I don’t think that’s possible right now. It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you Dead End is over.”
Although Steele and the team held a writers’ room for a third season with “scripts and designs and outlines ready to go”, Netflix have chosen not to “give these characters the proper ending they deserve”.
“Honestly we were lucky to make it through everything happening in the last few years. And I want to emphasize my gratitude to Netflix for commissioning the show and for giving us the freedom to tell this story,” he wrote.
“We made history together and I couldn’t be prouder of those twenty episodes and every single member of our crew. I want to give a huge thank you to the fans. Your art, cosplay, fic, reactions, TikToks and every interaction with me has been a delight.”
Steele continued to say that he ‘believes’ the story of Dead End: Paranormal Park will continue and reach a satisfying conclusion “some day, some how”. In the meantime, he’s working on a third and final DeadEndia book “which I hope offers some closure”.
Based on Steele’s DeadEndia graphic novels and Cartoon Hangover’s Too Cool! Cartoons web short, Dead End, the series focuses on a group of employees at a theme park slash haunted house, which also happens to be a portal to hell.
sad news
(full text in the thread) pic.twitter.com/XdXrf6uUmI
— Hamish Steele! DeadEndia 3 is OUT NOW! (@hamishsteele) January 13, 2023
Paranormal Park received rave reviews for its queer representation with the inclusion of a trans male lead character, Barney Guttman (Zach Barack), and multiple supporting characters who also identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella including Norma Khan (Kody Kavitha), Logan “Logs” Nguyen (Kenny Tran) and Badyah “Deathslide” Hassan (Kathreen Khavari).
The series was also commended for its depiction of neurodiversity with Khan.
In his statement, Steele said he will continue to pitch shows “with the same heart as Dead End” and that the best way to support “the show’s potential future” is by pre-ordering the new reprints of the DeadEndia books via this link.
Responding to the show’s cancellation, Coco Peru – who voiced Pauline Phoenix – criticised Netflix “for not doing the right thing” while praising Steele for the diverse line-up of characters and inclusive storylines.
RIP Deadend Paranormal Park. Hopefully there's an afterlife for the show. Boo to @netflix for not doing the right thing. Bravo to @hamishsteele for EVERYTHING! pic.twitter.com/0JEEEUneev
— Miss Coco Peru (@themisscocoperu) January 13, 2023
Fans did not respond well to Netflix’s decision.
One viewer wrote, “Beyond the sadness of this announcement, I want to say: thanks so much for delivering such a unique and personal experience that has meant so much to so many people, including a fellow autistic person like myself.”
Another tweeted: “Netflix just cancelled Dead End: Paranormal Park I’m in fucking mourning now.”
See some of the responses below.
Beyond the sadness of this announcement, I want to say: thanks so much for delivering such a unique and personal experience that has meant so much to so many people, including a fellow autistic person like myself.
At least we're getting the end of the story in some capacity.
— Toon4Thought (@Toon4Thought) January 13, 2023
Netflix just cancelled Dead End: Paranormal Park I’m in fucking mourning now
— 💜 Alyssia (READ PINNED!) 💜 (@CartoonistGa1) January 13, 2023
Dead End: Paranormal Park is one of my Top 10 cinema of 2022. It starts sincere & only gets more touchingly, at times wrenchingly, so as it goes on.
And I am PISSED that Netflix is canning it! More so after their hollow "animation is cinema" boasting. https://t.co/z5xHTN3qq5
— {L}ena Frances (@Lea_Frances_) January 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/Crimson_Mayhem_/status/1613891124271235072
This is absolutely heartbreaking news. Thank you & everyone that participated in Dead End: Paranormal Park for their extraordinary work. This show will be remembered for pioneering a new age of inclusivity in kids horror. We’re so very excited for your next chapter ✨ https://t.co/6GKOfxTswh
— Horror4Kids (@horror4kids) January 13, 2023
Netflix has now ended two amazing animated show both of which have cliffhanger endings. Inside job and dead end paranormal park should be able to finish their story
— Manu Tampied ✨storyboard artist looking for work✨ (@manulatart) January 13, 2023
I just found out that Netflix has cancelled Dead End: Paranormal Park… IF THEY CANCEL ANOTHER SHOW I LOVE IM GONNA TOSS THE CLOSEST OBJECT OUT THE WINDOW! pic.twitter.com/T1D2ozSEKI
— RandomFandomCreator 🌈 (@HereQueer2) January 13, 2023
Netflix just cancked dead end paranormal park!! this is heart breakimg, seriojsky the inky reason to keep a netflix membershoi was forthe animated origonals like dead end!
netflix really jist wants to get rid of the last few subscribers it has it@seems
— AAC_Autistic (@AAC_Autistic) January 13, 2023
I did not just wake up to Netflix canceling Dead End: Paranormal Park after 2 seasons…😟 #DeadEndParanormalPark #SaveDeadEndParanormalPark pic.twitter.com/kJneZfnTTm
— Dominic Delagol🇵🇸🍉 (@DelagolDominic) January 13, 2023
i haven’t posted in a bit but please go support Dead End: Paranormal Park and show @hamishsteele some love. this amazing show with my favorite autistic character in any media just got cancelled. Dead End will be so missed, fuck netflix! pic.twitter.com/ygf4MKDZ8M
— Neurodivergent Character OTD (@NeuroOTD) January 13, 2023
first inside job and now dead end paranormal park… netflix is really trying to annihilate all original and unique animation huh pic.twitter.com/MbgotwGAOC
— tristen 🎗️🪐🌷🌱🌈✨ (@stinkydragons) January 13, 2023
Dead End Paranormal Park got cancelled… I'm heartbroken.. First Warrior Nun then Inside Job now this…
— Sana ☽☾ (@BiCapybara) January 13, 2023
@netflix’s merciless axe has taken down one of the shows I love, DEAD END: PARANORMAL PARK.
This show was ground-breaking in its queer representation and just genuinely funny and well-written.
Thank you to everyone who brought this show to life. pic.twitter.com/1FjbjOVQ5I
— Adam Lightfoot (@lightfoot90) January 13, 2023
Netflix cancelling both Dead End: Paranormal Park and Inside Job hurts so much #saveinsidejob #savedeadendparanormalpark
— Sammy Phantom 🌎😈🌸 (@SamP158) January 13, 2023
I can't even properly type how upset I am to hear that Dead End: Paranormal Park was canceled…
OTL— ♥♠Celeste♣♦ (@CelestiAngel) January 13, 2023
Dead End: Paranormal Park was my #Best2022TV. It’s funny, charming and unabashedly queer. Definitely worth checking out for anyone who loved Gravity Falls or Infinity Train. https://t.co/L5OHGuuSgs pic.twitter.com/NClGPGDPxg
— Emmet Curtin 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ (@emmetcurtin) January 7, 2023
It's an awful shame we won't see a third season of Dead End: Paranormal Park. It was a wonderful show with a great cast and crew that deserved more episodes and adventures, and I'm so proud of Hamish. Please pick up the DeadEndia reprints and book 3 when they're released! https://t.co/ZyQliDaDED
— Rory Steele (@rorysteele) January 13, 2023
I'm so upset right now. Please watch Dead End: Paranormal Park fot it's honest depiction of the LGBTQIA+ Community in a fun and engaging story. https://t.co/TJalDQ4ZI4
— Gerry (@Groovy_Guy) January 13, 2023
ok i finished paranormal park and now I'm sad that there won't be another season
— ols, ia 🌌 (@B4BYDRIVERS) January 13, 2023
I loved dead end paranormal Park..
It meant so much to me ..
The only thing left now is heartstopper.— – P I E ✨️ 🌿 (@Beacharcades) January 13, 2023