Netflix’s lesbian vampire drama First Kill cancelled after one season
Fans have described the cancellation as "upsetting".
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Netflix
In sad news, we’re only to have one bite of the vampiric series, First Kill after Netflix cancelled before we could get a second season.
The series, which sees a vampire and a vampire hunter fall for one another and deal with all the drama that comes with, debuted on the streaming platform in June with eight episodes.
While it received a tempered reaction from critics, the show did build a dedicated fan base, many of whom are disappointed with the decision to cancel the show, mainly in regard to the queer representation.
“Maybe first kill wasn’t perfect ( remember their low budget ) BUT the two main characters were lesbians and one of them was black + their queerness was completely normalised and coming out wasn’t the plot. this show was so important!! #savefirstkill,” one person wrote.
maybe first kill wasn’t perfect ( remember their low budget ) BUT the two main characters were lesbians and one of them was black + their queerness was completely normalised and coming out wasn’t the plot. this show was so important!! #savefirstkill
— hellie🌷 (@lovingxwomen) August 3, 2022
Another posted on Twitter that the cancellation was “upsetting” highlighting the fact that First Kill didn’t have big names attached and ranked highly in Netflix’s top 10.
First Kill, a show that didn’t come from any prior media nor having any major names attached to it, getting cancelled as if it didn’t dominate Netflix’s Top 10 within it’s first month of release is upsetting. pic.twitter.com/tu05TnuNGv
— ❃ (@xolashores) August 3, 2022
To that end, one person added: “netflix is weird as hell for cancelling first kill. a successful wlw show with a black female lead being cancelled after outperforming SEVERAL netflix originals?… what”
netflix is weird as hell for cancelling first kill. a successful wlw show with a black female lead being cancelled after outperforming SEVERAL netflix originals?… what
— ceo of kory • JAYVAN DAY (@korysverse) August 3, 2022
Variety reported on Tuesday (2 August) that “Sources close to the matter maintain that Netflix is proud of the work that producers, cast and crew put in on the series, though the decision came down to a matter of viewing numbers versus cost.”
First Kill is based on a short story from V. E. Schwab and sees Calliope (Imani Lewis) and Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook), two teenage girls fall in love despite the former being a vampire hunter and the other a vampire.
The series earned a 58 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Attitude September/October issue is available to download and order in print now and will be on newsstands from Thursday 4 August.
