NBC Cancels 'Brilliant Minds' & 'Stumble'
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- NBC canceled the medical drama 'Brilliant Minds' after two seasons, with the remaining six episodes slated to return on May 27.
- Brilliant Minds was based on Oliver Sacks’s books and starred Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf; its 14‑episode second season aired from September 2025 until February, when NBC pulled it due to dropping viewership.
- Stumble was a mock‑umentary comedy about junior‑college cheerleading, starring Jenn Lyon, which debuted in November and aired its series finale in March, earning favorable critical reception but failing to attract a large enough audience for renewal.
- Michael Grassi created 'Brilliant Minds' and executive‑produced it with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis, and Shefali Malhoutra.
- Jeff Astrof and Liz Astrof served as writers and executive producers of 'Stumble,' with Jeff Blitz directing multiple episodes, including the pilot.
- NBC said that the only comedy still awaiting a second‑season decision is 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,' starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe, while 'The Hunting Party' remains on the bubble.
- NBC ordered several pilots for the 2026‑2027 broadcast season, including a reboot of 'The Rockford Files' starring David Boreanaz and a PI comedy from Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici.
Why it matters: NBC’s decision cuts two under‑watched series, freeing up primetime slots for upcoming pilots and potentially boosting ad revenue, while the creators, cast and fans of 'Brilliant Minds' and 'Stumble' lose a platform for their work, and the network must now lean on its remaining shows like 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins' and 'The Hunting Party' to retain viewers.
