Fox Cancels The Great North, Fans Call It a Major Mistake

In a surprising move, Fox has officially cancelled the animated series The Great North, leaving fans disheartened and questioning the network’s decision. The show, which debuted in January 2021, had built a loyal following through its heartwarming portrayal of the Tobin family in the fictional town of Lone Moose, Alaska. Following reports from Deadline, the fifth season will now be its last, prompting an outpouring of disappointment across social media platforms.

The show’s creator, director Aimee Steinberger, expressed her sadness on social media, stating, “I’m pretty sad about it. It’s one of a very small number of shows I’ve worked on that I genuinely loved.” She acknowledged the talented cast and crew, adding a note of hope for the series’ future, reminiscent of other animated shows that have found new life on streaming platforms. Despite this, the official statement from Fox offered no detailed explanation for the cancellation, leaving fans and industry observers puzzled.

Factors Behind the Cancellation

Although The Great North had been renewed for a fifth season earlier in 2024, it was notably absent from Fox’s major renewal announcement in May 2025. This omission raised concerns about the show’s viability long before the cancellation was confirmed. Industry analysts suggest a combination of factors may have influenced Fox’s decision.

The series struggled to achieve the same visibility and ratings as Fox’s long-standing animated staples like The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers. As the network restructures its animation schedule, the focus has shifted toward franchises with stronger international distribution and streaming potential. Reports indicate that Fox may be redirecting resources toward new content that aligns with a more commercially driven strategy, potentially sidelining lower-rated but critically acclaimed series.

Viewers have taken to social media to voice their frustration, arguing that The Great North represented a unique blend of wholesome storytelling and inclusivity within Fox’s animation lineup. Fans praised the show for its representation of family dynamics, LGBTQ+ themes, and the cultural richness of Alaskan life, contrasting it with more established titles like Family Guy. Many believe the cancellation cuts short a series that still held significant creative promise and a dedicated audience.

A Unique Contribution to Animated Television

Created by Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, and Minty Lewis, The Great North endeared itself to viewers with its charm and distinctive animation style. The series follows Beef Tobin, a single father navigating the challenges of raising his children—Judy, Wolf, Ham, and Moon—against the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness.

The show featured a talented voice cast, including Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate, Will Forte, and Dulcé Sloan, and consistently received praise from critics for its emotional depth and inclusive narratives. Yet, despite its positive reception, the show never reached the viewership levels of Fox’s more established animated offerings, leaving it vulnerable on the network’s schedule.

As fans continue to express their disappointment, the cancellation of The Great North raises questions about the future of animated programming on Fox and the criteria by which these decisions are made. With a growing demand for diverse and relatable storytelling, many hope that the show’s legacy will inspire similar projects in the future, either on other networks or through streaming platforms.