Disney+ cancels the critically acclaimed Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. — a gender-swapped reboot of Doogie Howser, M.D. — after just two seasons.

Summary

• Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. has been canceled after just two seasons on Disney+.
• Despite being nominated for awards, Disney+ has not explained the cancellation of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
• The show will end after a total of 20 episodes, leaving viewers disappointed with its abrupt conclusion.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. has officially been cancelled after just two seasons on Disney+. A medical drama with a heavy helping of comedy, the show revolved around the 16-year-old Dr. Lahela "Doogie" Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee). The show is a reboot of Neil Patrick Harris' Doogie Howser, M.D., which had a similar premise featuring a teenage doctor struggling to balance his work responsibilities with his family life. Doogie Howser, M.D. aired from 1989 to 1993, while its critically acclaimed reboot ran for two seasons from 2021 to 2023.

Months after Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. season 2, TVLine reports that Disney+ decided that the series will not return for season 3. Disney+ has not yet commented or offered any explanation for why the show has been cancelled, despite having been nominated for multiple awards for its first season. Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. will be ending after just 20 episodes.

Why Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Is One Of Many Disney+ Shows Recently Cancelled

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. is one of several shows that Disney+ has cancelled in 2023. Even before the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Disney+ cancelled The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers and Big Shot. Like Netflix, Max, and Paramount+, Disney+ has been struggling with maintaining its shows on a platform meant for streaming. The gradual shift from cable-focused entertainment to streaming has been a complicated and costly issue across the industry.

The last three months of 2022 saw Disney+ lose 2.4 million subscribers, becoming the first time Disney+ suffered a net loss of subscribers. Disney has shifted its strategy and intends to raise the price of Disney+ to $13.99 per month starting on October 12. It will also be cracking down on password sharing in an effort to recover potential lost earnings. While subscriber count has been a likely driver of Disney's many decisions, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. represents Disney's shifting strategies regarding content creation as well.

Since returning to his position as CEO, Bob Iger has been changing Disney+'s policies in an attempt to focus on franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars. While Disney has not officially stated the reason for its cancelation, it could be that Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. may not have space in the new Disney+ landscape. Low ratings and the strikes may also have contributed, as Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. ended shortly before the WGA strike began. With projects across the industry suffering delays and cancellations, this show is just the latest to face a premature ending.

Source: TVLine