Following the cancellation of The Recruit by Netflix, lead actor Noah Centineo has shared his thoughts on the show’s abrupt ending. Centineo portrayed Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer drawn into the world of espionage due to extortion threats. This action-comedy series also featured talented performers like Colton Dunn (Lester Kitchens), Aarti Mann (Violet Ebner), and Vondie Curtis-Hall (Walter Nyland). Despite the serious nature of the plot, the series balanced thrilling elements with comedic undertones, culminating in a surprising season two finale.
The cancellation has left Centineo reflecting on his role, as he will no longer have the chance to reprise his character. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he expressed his disappointment over the show’s unexpected conclusion. Centineo praised his fellow cast members and voiced his gratitude for the show’s “pretty strong cult following.”He also shed light on Netflix’s decision to cancel the series, suggesting it did not align with the platform’s content strategy. Here’s an insightful quote from him:
It is what it is. Netflix, they have a 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.
Implications of The Recruit’s Cancellation
Centineo Accepts The Recruit’s Conclusion
According to reports, Netflix made the decision to cancel The Recruit due to a decline in viewer interest for season two, a troubling sign given that the first season had already received lukewarm ratings. The series was swiftly cancelled in March 2025, a mere two months after its second season premiere. Additionally, it seems unlikely that The Recruit will find a new home on another network, as Netflix has imposed a three-year shopping ban on its canceled shows (as noted by Deadline). This backdrop contributes to Centineo’s resigned perspective on the series’ fate, hinting that it will not emerge from this lengthy moratorium.
Netflix has a well-documented history of axing series after two seasons, making The Recruit just another entry in this growing list.
Furthermore, despite Netflix occasionally reversing their cancellation decisions, the likelihood of The Recruit being revived seems small. Unlike other canceled series that sparked significant fan campaigns for renewal, such as Warrior Nun, The Recruit hasn’t seen a similarly robust movement. If even the star himself shows little inclination to advocate for its continuation, the series appears to have firmly reached its conclusion. It’s important to note that Netflix’s trend of canceled shows after two seasons continues, underscoring a broader pattern within the streaming platform.
Reflections on The Recruit’s Cancellation
The Exhaustive Two-Season Trend
In the ever-expanding sea of content available on Netflix, the platform’s tendency to cancel shows hampers viewer investment in new series. While a few shows, including Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, and Squid Game, have found success, many others struggle to garner an audience before being cut short. The Recruit had promise and deserved a chance to further develop its narrative and character arcs. The unfortunate timing of its release, coinciding closely with the launch of The Night Agent season two on January 23, overshadowed its potential success, leading to its premature cancellation.
For more insights, visit The Hollywood Reporter.