NBC’s decision to cancel Good Girls before its highly anticipated Season 5 left fans shocked, disappointed, and searching for answers. The show, which followed three suburban moms turned criminals, had built a dedicated fanbase over the years. However, despite its popularity, NBC decided to pull the plug, leaving many to wonder: Why was Good Girls canceled before Season 5?
Here’s a closer look at the key reasons behind NBC’s surprising and unexpected cancellation decision of Good Girls.
Why Good Girls Season 5 was canceled by NBC
One of the main reasons for the cancellation of Good Girls Season 5 is speculated to be financial.
While the show had a strong following, its ratings were not high enough to justify the costs of production. An NBC insider stated, “We very much wanted to bring Good Girls back for one more season to close out the story, but unfortunately, we were unable to make the financials work.”
NBC found it difficult to make the numbers work, even though the show’s stars—Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman—reportedly agreed to take pay cuts to keep the series alive. Furthermore, Netflix explored the possibility of picking up the series. However, negotiations with NBC did not result in a deal. Without an alternative platform to continue the show, Good Girls Season 5 was ultimately canceled (via TV Line).
Rumored tension among the cast also played a role in the cancellation. Reports suggested that Christina Hendricks and Manny Montana, who played the charismatic crime boss Rio, had friction on set.
Although the details of their conflict remain unclear, many believe Montana’s contract negotiations significantly impacted the show’s fate. Retta, who plays Ruby Hill, hinted at these issues, stating that “one person” derailed the show’s renewal, though she did not name names (via Live with Kelly and Mark).
