Critically acclaimed series canceled after one season. Creator ‘shocked, heartbroken’ and ‘baffled.’ – NJ.com
Natasha Rothwell as Mel and Conrad Ricamora as Rory in “How to Die Alone.”Ian Watson | HuluIt was one of the true gems of the fall TV season.The story of an airport worker surviving a near-death experience and vowing to change her life laid the groundwork for a compelling comedy with a lot of heart.Critics agreed, and the show received several award nominations reflecting the warm reception.But that didn’t stop the comedy from getting canceled.Hulu series “How to Die Alone” has not been renewed for a second season, Variety reported Tuesday.Disney’s Onyx Collective — founded in 2021 with a focus on TV and film from creators of color for Hulu — produced the show, which debuted in September with eight episodes. “I am shocked, heartbroken and frankly, baffled that Onyx has decided not to move forward with a second season of ‘How to Die Alone,’” series creator and star Natasha Rothwell said in a statement. “This is a tough reality to accept because the show is an undeniable critical, creative and award-winning success.”Jocko Sims and Rothwell in a scene from “How to Die Alone.” The well-received series is up for multiple awards.Ian Watson | HuluRothwell plays Mel, or Melissa, the John F. Kennedy International Airport employee at the center of the show, which is nominated for best ensemble cast in a new scripted series at the Independent Spirit Awards. At the NAACP Image Awards, the show is nominated for outstanding comedy series and Rothwell is nominated for outstanding actress in a comedy series.She said she hopes the series will yet have a future.“This show took me eight years to bring to life, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in that time, it’s resilience,” Rothwell, 44, said in the statement. “I’m not giving up. My team and I are committed to finding ‘How to Die Alone’ a new home because stories like this matter.”Natasha Rothwell in the upcoming third season of “The White Lotus,” at left; and in “Insecure,” both acclaimed shows from HBO.Fabio Lovino | HBO; Raymond Liu | HBO“Now more than ever, television that amplifies previously unheard voices, and that prioritizes hiring and casting decisions that accurately reflect the diversity of the world, is essential,” she continued. “Representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about ensuring that our stories, our existence and our cultural contributions are not erased.“As Maya Angelou so wisely said, ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’“We are rising. And we are not done.”Rothwell starred in the Hulu series alongside Conrad Ricamora (Rory), Jocko Sims (Alex) and KeiLyn Durrel Jones (Terrance).The actor, writer and producer is also known for being a part of the hit HBO series “The White Lotus” and can be seen in the upcoming third season, which premieres Feb. 16.Mel’s near-death experience makes her reevaluate her path forward in life.Ian Watson | HuluRothwell was nominated for an Emmy for playing White Lotus spa manager Belinda Lindsey in what was intended to be a limited series set at an exclusive resort in Hawaii, which became the first season of the show. The wild popularity of the Emmy-winning Mike White series propelled additional “White Lotus” seasons set in other vacation destinations. The third season takes place in Thailand, and the show has already been renewed for a fourth season.Rothwell, who started her career writing for “Saturday Night Live,” played Kelli Prenny on HBO’s “Insecure,” also writing and directing for the acclaimed Issa Rae series, which ran five seasons from 2016 to 2021. Her film credits include “Wonka” (2023) and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3″ (2024).She shared the Variety story about “How to Die Alone” on Instagram, where she commented further on the cancellation.“This is hard to comprehend,” Rothwell said. “My heart aches for the incredible cast, crew and writers who gave their all to tell this story. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity, and appreciate all of the love and support given to me and the show. Now, my prayer is that this news will be but a comma in the HTDA story, not a period. Onward.”Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025).© 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). 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