Airing from 2022 to 2024, the HBO seriesSomebody Somewherewas a refreshing slice-of-life drama that was taken away far too soon. The show starred Bridget Everett asSam, a woman in her 40s who reconnects with an old acquaintance from high school, Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. At the start of the series, Sam struggles to find meaning and connection with others, but her friendship with Joel helps her to learn and grow exponentially by the show’s final episode. With its expert mix of gravitas and comedy,Somebody Somewherewasone of the best Max shows of 2024.
I believe I could honestly say that there has never been a show quite likeSomebody Somewhere.The characters, stories, and situations feel so real that it’s almost like watching a documentary about friends and family in my own hometown. Like other fans of the show, I was extremely disappointed (although not all that surprised) by the announcement thatSomebody Somewherewould not be back for season 4. Going by the response of cast members like Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller, I’m clearly not alone.
Why Somebody Somewhere Season 4 Was Canceled
It Was Possibly Because Of Low Ratings
By most accounts, the cancelation ofSomebody Somewheremakes no sense. Incredibly,all 3 seasons of the show have a 100% scoreonRotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, and an overall 94% on the Popcornmeter.The show and its cast were also nominated for several awards, including Critics' Choice, Independent Spirit, and the Hollywood Critics Association. The series won the American Film Institute’s Top 10 Television Programs in 2022, a Peabody for Entertainment in 2024, and Bridget Everett received a Dorian Award in 2022 for Best TV Lead Performance.
However, what I can speculate is that the show’s ratings likely may not have risen to HBO’s standards, as it wasn’t a mainstream IP for the network like some of its other properties. To its detriment,Somebody Somewherewas like a well-kept secret for many viewers, and sadly, that secret just didn’t get out far enough. Anonline petitionwas started by fans to bring the show back for season 4, and currently has over 23,000 signatures. But, as of yet, there has been no response from HBO.
Bridget Everett Was Upset About Somebody Somewhere’s Cancelation
She Compared The Show’s Cancelation To Being At Her Own Funeral
Naturally, all good things must come to an end, and it’s okay to feel sad about it. In an interview withVulture,actors Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, and Mary Catherine Garrisonreflected on the bittersweet memories of working onSomebody Somewhere,while still processing the show’s cancelation.
“Right now, I feel like I’m at my own funeral. I am reading all these nice things about the show,”Everett toldVulture, and later added,“I don’t want it to be over. I am going to miss everybody so much and what we’ve built together.”
Everett made a similar statement toVariety,when asked about moving on to other projects after the series:
“I’m just not ready. It’s like you just had the best sex of your life, and now someone wants to hold your hand.”
As Everett made clear in her statements, it will be tough for any project to live up to the positive experience she had working onSomebody Somewhere.Even so, her time on the series is certain to open a few doors for Everett, as well as other members of the cast.
What’s Next For The Somebody Somewhere Cast
The Cast Feels Uncertain About Their Futures Now That The Show Is Canceled
Now thatSomebody Somewherehas ended, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for the show’s cast. In theVultureinterview, Jeff Hiller voiced some of his own concerns about finding work on other projects.
“We were all in a place that was so different before this show and I never could have predicted this show. Who knows what is out there? It’s just, you get scared because [we’re not] Anya Taylor-Joy. I don’t know that I’m going to get asked to go to Namibia and film some Mad Max movie. It is pretty unlikely.”
It might seem like someone with Hiller’s talent wouldn’t have anything to worry about, but I can understand what he’s trying to say. Shows likeSomebody Somewhereare extremely rare, and it’s very unlikely that the members of the cast will be showing up in a big blockbuster movie. At the moment,there are no reports of Bridget Everett or Hiller in any upcoming projects,although Mary Catherine Garrison recently appeared in the Jay Duplass comedy,The Baltimorons,at SXSW in 2025.
Although the cast’s future afterSomebody Somewheremay seem bleak to them, I have faith that their talents will continue to carry them forward to new - and possibly even better - projects.
