NBC Cancels 'Brilliant Minds' and 'Stumble' as Ratings Plunge Below 3 Million Viewers

Key facts

• NBC canceled 'Brilliant Minds' after two seasons and 'Stumble' after one season.
• 'Brilliant Minds' averaged just over 3 million linear viewers, the lowest of any NBC drama this season.
• 'Stumble' averaged 2.24 million linear viewers.
• The final six episodes of 'Brilliant Minds' will air from May 27, 2026.
• 'Stumble' concluded its 13-episode run in March 2026.
• NBC has ordered eight pilots for the 2026-27 season, higher than usual.
• Three shows—'Law & Order', 'The Hunting Party', and 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins'—await renewal decisions.
• NBCUniversal's upfront presentation is scheduled for May 11.

NBC Axes Two Series Ahead of Upfronts

NBC has canceled two scripted series — the medical drama 'Brilliant Minds' and the comedy 'Stumble' — as the network prepares for its May 11 upfront presentation. Both shows ranked among NBC's least-watched scripted programs this season, falling victim to the intensifying competition from streaming platforms. The cancellations, reported on May 1, underscore the brutal ratings environment for network television. With audiences increasingly migrating to streaming services, traditional broadcasters are under pressure to deliver strong linear viewership or face the axe.

'Brilliant Minds' Ends After Two Seasons Despite Strong Start

'Brilliant Minds,' starring Zachary Quinto as neurologist Dr. Oliver Wolf, premiered in September 2024 to promising numbers. Its debut drew 9.2 million cross-platform viewers, a 138% increase over live-plus-same-day figures. The series, loosely based on the work of neurologist Oliver Sacks, earned an 81% critics' score and 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, achieving 'Certified Fresh' status. However, viewership declined sharply in its second season. NBC pulled the show from its schedule in February 2026, replacing it with two-hour episodes of 'The Voice.' The network will air the remaining six episodes starting May 27, bringing the total to 20 episodes over two seasons.

'Stumble' Fails to Find Audience in Single Season

'Stumble,' a mockumentary about a junior college cheerleading squad, premiered in November 2025 and aired 13 episodes before concluding in March 2026. The series starred Jenn Lyon as a coach fired for drinking with her team, given a second chance at a struggling program. Despite a premise built around redemption and championship aspirations, the show averaged only 2.24 million linear viewers, the lowest of any NBC scripted series this season. Created by Jeff and Liz Astrof, the series also featured Taran Killam, Kristin Chenoweth in a recurring role, and an ensemble cast. It was produced by Universal Television.

Ratings Tell the Story: Linear Viewership Below 3 Million

The viewership numbers sealed the fate of both shows. 'Brilliant Minds' averaged just over 3 million viewers in its first week of linear viewing (excluding streaming), making it the lowest-rated drama on NBC this season. 'Stumble' managed only 2.24 million in the same metric. These figures, reported by industry outlets, reflect traditional TV viewing before streaming numbers are added, but they were insufficient to justify continued investment. For context, NBC's other dramas have performed significantly better. The cancellations highlight the network's willingness to cut even critically acclaimed shows when live ratings falter.

Production Teams and Casts Face Uncertainty

'Brilliant Minds' was produced by Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television. Creator Michael Grassi executive produced alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis, and Shefali Malhoutra. The cast included Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Teddy Sears, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, Brian Altemus, and Al Calderon. 'Stumble,' from Universal TV, was created by Jeff and Liz Astrof, who executive produced with Jeff Blitz, Dana Honor, and Monica Aldama. The ensemble cast included Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, and Georgie Murphy, with Kristin Chenoweth recurring.

Three Shows Still Await Renewal as NBC Orders Eight Pilots

NBC has yet to decide the fate of three other series: the long-running drama 'Law & Order,' the first-year drama 'The Hunting Party,' and the freshman comedy 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.' No timeline has been announced for these decisions, leaving fans and cast members in limbo. Meanwhile, the network has ordered eight pilots for the 2026-27 season — a higher number than in recent years — indicating a push to refresh its lineup. The upfront presentation on May 11 will provide clarity on NBC's programming strategy moving forward.

Network Television's Struggle Intensifies

The cancellations of 'Brilliant Minds' and 'Stumble' reflect a broader trend: network television is losing its grip on audiences as streaming services dominate. Even shows with strong critical reception and initial buzz can falter if they fail to sustain linear viewership. NBC's decision to cut both series, despite their fan bases, signals a zero-tolerance approach to low ratings. For 'Brilliant Minds,' the show's demise is particularly poignant given its strong start and critical acclaim. The series, which explored medical mysteries of the mind through the lens of Dr. Wolf and his team at Bronx General, asked 'Who deserves care?' — a question that now applies to the show itself. As NBC pivots to new pilots and uncertain renewals, the message is clear: in today's television landscape, even a certified fresh rating is no guarantee of survival.

The bottom line

• NBC canceled 'Brilliant Minds' after two seasons and 'Stumble' after one due to low linear viewership.
• 'Brilliant Minds' averaged just over 3 million viewers; 'Stumble' averaged 2.24 million.
• Despite strong critical reception and a 9.2 million cross-platform premiere, 'Brilliant Minds' could not sustain audience interest.
• NBC has ordered eight pilots for next season, a higher number than usual, signaling a lineup overhaul.
• Three shows—'Law & Order', 'The Hunting Party', and 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins'—remain in limbo.
• The cancellations highlight the growing pressure on network TV to compete with streaming platforms.