AfterThe Recruitwas cancelled by Netflix, Noah Centineo is finally opening up about the show’s early ending. The series focuses on Owen (Centineo), a CIA lawyer who is forced to work as a covert operative after facing extortion.The Recruitcastalso featured Colton Dunn (Lester Kitchens), Aarti Mann (Violet Ebner), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Walter Nyland), and other exciting actors. Though its premise is decidedly serious, the Netflix series often delves into comedy, mixing a shocking season 2 ending with constant jokes about Owen’s character. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled before getting the chance to expand on Centineo’s character.
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, Centineoshared his disappointment with the unplanned conclusion. He praised the cast, shared his gratitude for the show’s “pretty strong cult following,” and explained the reason that Netflix ended his series. He believes that it was a poor fit for Netflix, and so he has resigned himself to moving on to his next role. Check out his quote below:
It is what it is. Netflix, they havea certain mandate that they need to fill, and I’m very proud of the show, very grateful to our audience. We have a pretty strong cult following. And with Netflix, it just didn’t really fit what it was that they needed, I suppose. And so onto the next, I guess. I mean, I learned so much from season one to season two. I really got to see behind the curtain of how a show gets made, and that to me was probably the most educational part of it, without a doubt. And also having such a great cast.
What This Means For The Recruit’s Cancellation
Centineo Appears Resigned To The Recruit’s Fate
Netflix reportedly cancelled the show after discovering that season 2 saw declining interest. This was worrying, given that season 1 already had only middling ratings. That judgment came quickly, asThe Recruit’s early cancellationwas ordered in March 2025, just two months after the season premiered.The Netflix Original is unlikely to move to another network, as the streamer reportedly barred producers from shopping its shows for three years. The restrictions explain Centineo’s sense of resignation, as it is unlikely that it will survive a three-year moratorium.
Netflix is known for cancelling shows after just two seasons, soThe Recruitis just the latest in a long trend.
Netflix is also unlikely to change its verdict, despite having renewedother shows after cancelation. UnlikeWarrior Nun, which sparked a strong response from the audience after its conclusion,The Recruit’s cancellation has not led to an equivalent widespread outcry. While there was an initial response, a long-standing fan campaign, like the movement thatsecuredWarrior Nun’s renewal, has not emerged. Netflix has a reputation for cancelling shows after just two seasons, soThe Recruitis just the latest in a long trend.
Our Take On The Recruit’s Cancellation
Netflix’s Two-Season Trend Is Exhausting
The streaming giant has an overwhelming number of shows and movies available for audiences to stream, butNetflix’s insistence on cancelling themmakes it difficult to invest in each new series. Aside from a few dominant productions, includingStranger Things,Cobra Kai, andSquid Game, the shows rarely have space to grow a following.The Recruitwas an exciting series that deserved time and space to develop. If its premiere had not come one week afterThe Night Agentseason 2’s release, it might have grown. Instead, it was overshadowed and cancelled too soon.
