Netflix Cancels Australian Western Drama Series Territory Despite Global Success

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Netflix has made a shock decision to axe one of its drama hits, Territory, a modern Australian-made Western series, despite its global success and comparisons to Yellowstone. The six-episode series was a huge hit when it landed on the streaming platform last October, quickly climbing into the top 10 in 74 countries. It even topped Netflix’s worldwide charts over a four-day period, sparking comparisons to major hits like Succession and Yellowstone.

The series, which followed a family’s brutal battle for control of a sprawling outback cattle station, starred Mindhunter’s Anna Torv and Home and Away actress Phillipa Northeast, along with a large ensemble cast including For All Mankind actor Michael Dorman and Vikings: Valhalla star Sam Corlett. Despite its success, Netflix has confirmed that the show will not be renewed for a second season, leaving fans disappointed and wondering about the reasons behind the decision. Some viewers felt the show leaned too heavily into its inspirations, with one person commenting that Territory is just Yellowstone with accents.

However, critics praised the series for delivering a gripping saga full of power struggles and ruthless ambition. A reviewer from Screenhub described the drama as "a high-stakes saga of a family in turmoil, with all the expected plotting, scheming, back-biting and occasional passionate embracing." The show was made with support from the South Australian Film Corporation and Screen Territory, and filming took place in breathtaking locations including Tipperary Station, Kakadu National Park, and parts of South Australia. Producers Rob Gibson of Easy Tiger and Ben Davies of Ronde expressed their disappointment about the cancellation, telling the Daily Telegraph that they were "incredibly proud of the show" and its success.

Fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration at Netflix’s decision, with some calling for another platform to step in and save the show. So far, no network has expressed interest in picking up Territory for a second season. The cancellation of Territory is a blow to the Australian production sector, which has been struggling to have a more equitable playing field with international streamers. The series represented the largest local screen productions filmed in both the NT and South Australia, generating 200 jobs for cast and crew during production. Some of the notable releases that fans can look forward to include:

• Ransom Canyon, a new western series on Netflix
• Zero Day, a divisive new Netflix series starring Robert De Niro
• The Sandman season 2, which will feature one of the stars of the canceled Netflix show Dead Boy Detectives

Netflix’s director of content for ANZ, Que Min Luu, issued a brief statement on the cancellation, saying that the company is "incredibly thankful to have had the chance to work with the wonderful cast and production team to bring Territory and the stunning Australian outback into the homes of millions around the world." While the reasons behind the cancellation are not clear, industry speculation suggests that production timing and Netflix scheduling issues may have played a role. Whatever the reasons, the cancellation of Territory is a disappointment to fans of the show, who will have to wait and see if another platform will pick up the series or if the story will be continued in some other way.