Apple TV+ Axes Time Bandits After Just One Season

Apple TV+ has announced the cancellation of its series Time Bandits after just one season, following its launch on July 24, 2023. The show, directed by Taika Waititi and featuring Lisa Kudrow, follows a group of time-traveling thieves alongside a young boy named Kevin. Despite the notable talent behind the series, it failed to resonate with viewers and received mediocre reviews, averaging a score of 5/10. This cancellation highlights the challenges faced by Apple TV+ in the competitive streaming landscape, especially with regards to retaining an audience for high-cost productions.

Time Bandits was canceled due to its inability to attract a significant audience, which is crucial for a streaming service investing heavily in original content. Despite receiving some critical attention, it garnered only a small share of overall TV viewership in the U.S.

Time Bandits is inspired by the 1981 cult classic film of the same name by Terry Gilliam. The original film focused on a young boy who joins a band of dwarves as they travel through time, encountering historical figures and fantastical situations. The series adapted this concept into a modern context under Waititi's direction, aiming to capture the whimsical essence of the original while introducing new characters and narratives.