In a surprising turn of events, HBO has announced the cancellation of J.J. Abrams’ new thriller Duster after just one season. The series, which garnered significant praise from both critics and audiences, is now left without a second season despite a promising start.
Released only two months ago, Duster had an impressive 92% rating from critics and an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. 
However, it seems that the show struggled to maintain a large viewership, with the show failing to make a dent in the charts and audience numbers not living up to expectations.
In an official statement to GamesRadar, HBO expressed satisfaction with the show, despite its decision not to continue. “While HBO Max will not be moving forward with a second season of Duster, we are so grateful to have had the chance to work with the amazingly talented co-creators,” the statement read. “We are tremendously proud of this series.”
The series, set in the 1970s, follows a gutsy getaway driver working for a crime syndicate. Played by Josh Holloway, the driver’s life spirals further into chaos when a determined young agent arrives in town, aiming to take down the criminal empire. Abrams, best known for his work on the Star Trek reboot and Star Wars sequels, collaborated with co-showrunner LaToya Morgan to bring the story to life.
Despite its critical success, the show was short-lived, leaving fans disappointed. Holloway, who had taken a break from acting due to a lack of opportunities, was thrilled to return for the role. He shared his excitement about the project and working with Abrams, with whom he had previously collaborated on the hit series Lost. “I couldn’t even believe what I was hearing,” Holloway remarked in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “That was right before the pandemic, and then HBO was sold twice. But we kept making it through everything. [We wondered] ‘Are they going to cancel us?’ No, no. We kept chugging along.”
The swift cancellation has left many wondering why a show with such positive reviews could be axed so quickly. As streaming services prioritize big hits, smaller successes are often left behind, leaving fans frustrated and reluctant to invest in new series until they have run their full course.