On May 1, 2026, NBC announced its first cancellation decisions for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The network decided to end Brilliant Minds and Stumble due to disappointing viewership numbers.
Key details of the cancellations:
- NBC has canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
- The comedy series Stumble was also canceled after just one season.
- Brilliant Minds averaged just over 3 million viewers, making it NBC’s lowest-rated drama series.
- Stumble, featuring Jenn Lyon as a cheerleading coach, attracted only 2.24 million viewers on average.
Brilliant Minds, which starred Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf, premiered in September 2024 and returned for its second season in September 2025. It was inspired by the work of renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks. Despite its intriguing premise, it struggled to connect with audiences, facing significant declines in ratings.
The show aired its final episodes starting May 27, 2026, while Stumble concluded in March of the same year. Both shows were among NBC’s least watched scripted series this past season. In fact, Brilliant Minds recorded steep double-digit year-to-year declines in viewership.
NBC is still evaluating the future of other popular shows such as Law & Order, The Hunting Party, and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. As the network shifts its focus, it has ordered eight new pilots for the next season in an effort to revitalize its lineup.
The cancellations of these two series reflect broader trends within network television where competition from streaming services continues to reshape viewing habits. For fans of Zachary Quinto and Jenn Lyon, this news brings an end to their respective journeys on NBC.
