NBC has made its first cancellation decisions for the 2026-27 season, ending both Brilliant Minds and Stumble due to low viewership. The network’s move comes as a reflection of shifting audience preferences and ongoing struggles to maintain ratings in a competitive landscape.
Brilliant Minds, which aired its first season in September 2024, starred Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf — a character inspired by the real-life neurologist Oliver Sacks. Despite its intriguing premise, the show averaged just above 3 million viewers, making it NBC’s lowest-rated drama series.
Stumble, on the other hand, premiered later and featured Jenn Lyon as a cheerleading coach. It managed only 2.24 million viewers across its single season, leading to its cancellation after just one run. Both shows were among NBC’s least watched scripted series of the season.
The final episodes of Brilliant Minds will air starting May 27, 2026, while Stumble wrapped up earlier in March. This sequence of cancellations highlights not just individual failures but also broader trends in television consumption — audiences are increasingly selective about what they watch.
Critics have pointed out that Brilliant Minds experienced steep double-digit year-to-year declines, indicating that even with a promising concept, viewer interest waned significantly over time. Similarly, Stumble spent months on the bubble before ultimately facing cancellation.
As NBC reassesses its programming strategy, it is still considering the future of other shows like Law & Order and The Hunting Party — factors that could influence upcoming scheduling decisions and pilot orders.
The network has ordered eight new pilots for next season, signaling an attempt to refresh its lineup amidst these cancellations. For now, though, both Brilliant Minds and Stumble serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of television success.
