Paramount+ Axes Queen of the Universe & 3 Other Shows

Paramount+ has announced the cancellation of four shows on its roster, including the drag singing competition series Queen of the Universe, and two other shows that brought some LGBTQ+ action to the forefront with Star Trek: Prodigy and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.

A spokesperson from Paramount+ confirmed the cancellations, stating, "The Paramount+ series 'Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,' 'Star Trek: Prodigy,' 'Queen of the Universe,' and 'The Game' have completed their runs on Paramount+ and will not be returning to the service."

All four shows are also set to leave the streaming platform in the coming days.

Despite the lack of specific data provided by Paramount+, an anonymous source claims that the cancellations were based on data-driven analysis and could also have something to do with the merging of Paramount+ and Showtime.

One of the most surprising cancellations is Star Trek: Prodigy, the first animated kids' show set in the beloved Star Trek universe that introduced a new generation of viewers to non-binary characters in the Starfleet. Despite being renewed for a second season last year, the show will not only be removed from Paramount+, but also won't return to its co-broadcasting network, Nickelodeon. However, CBS Studios, the production company behind the series, plans to complete post-production on Season 2 and explore other distribution opportunities.

Another casualty of the cancellations is Queen of the Universe, a captivating drag singing competition series produced by World of Wonder, the creators of the iconic RuPaul's Drag Race franchise. With the final four episodes premiering on June 22, fans were left stunned by the news that the show will be removed from Paramount+ on June 30. There is hope that World of Wonder will find a new home for the series, offering fans more fierce and fabulous moments.

Additionally, The Game, a revival of the popular CW/BET series, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, a prequel to the iconic musical film Grease, have also fallen victim to Paramount+ cancellations. Both series will be open for potential new outlets, as CBS Studios plans to shop them elsewhere.

The cancellation of these four shows raises questions about the ever-changing landscape of streaming platforms and the difficult decisions faced by executives. As fans eagerly await the launch of the unified service Paramount+ with Showtime, they hope for new and engaging content that will continue to capture LGBTQ+ representation.