The critically acclaimed comedy series “How to Die Alone,” starring and created by Natasha Rothwell, has been canceled by Hulu after just one season. Fans and critics alike are expressing disappointment at the news that the show, a product of Disney’s Onyx Collective, will not be moving forward with a second season despite its strong reception.
Onyx Collective, known for championing projects from creators of color and underrepresented communities, gave “How to Die Alone” a series order in November 2022. The show premiered in September 2024, but despite positive reviews and accolades, it will not be renewed.
Natasha Rothwell, in a statement to Variety, revealed her dismay at Onyx’s decision. She stated she was “shocked, heartbroken and frankly, baffled” by the cancellation. While a studio source cited insufficient viewership as the reason for the decision, Rothwell countered, emphasizing the show’s “undeniable critical, creative and award-winning success.” “How to Die Alone” boasts a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Variety itself praising the series as “skillfully crafted” and Rothwell’s performance as “flawless.” The show also clinched the Independent Spirit Award for best ensemble cast in a new scripted series and is currently nominated for three NAACP Image Awards.
Rothwell’s statement indicates a determined effort to find a new platform for “How to Die Alone,” suggesting hope for “How To Die Alone Season 2” on a different network or streaming service. She passionately asserted, “Representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about ensuring that our stories, our existence and our cultural contributions are not erased.” This highlights the broader implications of the cancellation, especially for diverse storytelling in television.
The official synopsis of “How to Die Alone” describes the series as centered on Mel, portrayed by Rothwell, “a broke, fat, Black JFK Airport employee who’s never been in love and forgotten how to dream, until an accidental brush with death catapults her on a journey to finally take flight and start living by any means necessary.” The cast also included Conrad Ricamora, Jocko Sims, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones. Rothwell, through her Big Hattie Productions, executive produced alongside co-showrunner Vera Santamaria of Welcome Stranger banner, Desiree Akhavan, and Jude Weng.
Rothwell is well-known for her role as Belinda in HBO’s “The White Lotus,” for which she received an Emmy nomination for Season 1 and is set to reprise in the upcoming Season 3. Her previous work also includes writing, directing, and starring as Kelli in HBO’s “Insecure,” and writing for “Saturday Night Live,” establishing her strong presence in the comedy and television landscape.
Onyx Collective’s portfolio includes other notable projects like “The 1619 Project” and “Reasonable Doubt,” with future projects like “Deli Boys” and “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius).” Prior productions include “The Other Black Girl” and “UnPrisoned.” The cancellation of “How to Die Alone,” despite its critical acclaim, raises questions about the future of diverse and unique voices within streaming platforms.
Rothwell’s full statement underscores her resolve: “I am shocked, heartbroken and frankly, baffled that Onyx has decided not to move forward with a second season of “How to Die Alone.” This is a tough reality to accept because the show is an undeniable critical, creative and award-winning success… My team and I are committed to finding “How to Die Alone” a new home because stories like this matter.” The future of “how to die alone season 2” remains uncertain, but Rothwell’s determination offers a glimmer of hope for fans eager to see more of Mel’s story.
