What Happened to La Brea (TV series)?
La Brea was an American science fiction drama television series that aired on NBC from September 28, 2021, to February 13, 2024, spanning three seasons and 30 episodes. The show, which centered on a family separated by a massive sinkhole transporting them to a primeval land, concluded its run with an abbreviated final season influenced by Hollywood strikes and declining viewership. As of May 1, 2026, all three seasons are available to stream on Netflix in the United States.
Quick Answer
The NBC sci-fi drama 'La Brea' concluded its run on February 13, 2024, after three seasons and 30 episodes. The series was canceled due to a combination of factors, including declining viewership, its high production budget, and the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which led to an abbreviated final season. Despite its cancellation, the show delivered a conclusive ending for the main characters. As of May 1, 2026, all three seasons of 'La Brea' are available for streaming on Netflix in the United States, offering the series a new opportunity to reach a wider audience.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
NBC Orders Pilot for 'La Brea'
NBC gave a pilot order for 'La Brea', created by David Appelbaum, with production companies Keshet Studios and Universal Television involved.
Series Order for 10-Episode First Season
NBC officially gave a series order for a 10-episode first season of 'La Brea'.
Series Premiere on NBC
The first season of 'La Brea' premiered on NBC, drawing 6.2 million viewers and a 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic, making it the top-rated new show of the fall season.
Renewed for Second Season
NBC renewed 'La Brea' for a 14-episode second season, following its strong debut.
Season 2 Premieres
The second season of 'La Brea', consisting of 14 episodes, premiered on NBC.
Renewed for Abbreviated Third and Final Season
NBC renewed 'La Brea' for a six-episode third season, with the understanding that it would be the final season. This decision was influenced by potential Hollywood strikes.
Official Confirmation of Final Season
It was officially confirmed that the third season would be the final season of 'La Brea', with a premiere date set for January 2024.
Season 3 Premieres
The third and final season of 'La Brea' premiered on NBC with the episode 'Sierra'.
Series Finale Airs
The series finale of 'La Brea', titled 'The Road Home (Part 2)', aired on NBC, concluding the show's three-season run.
International Netflix Release
All episodes of 'La Brea' became available on Netflix in several international territories.
All Seasons Available on Netflix US
All three seasons of 'La Brea' became available to stream on Netflix in the United States, offering the series a new platform to reach audiences.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
La Brea premiered on NBC on September 28, 2021, introducing audiences to a compelling premise: a massive sinkhole opening in Los Angeles, swallowing people and buildings into a mysterious prehistoric land. The series quickly gained attention, with its pilot episode drawing 6.2 million viewers and a 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic, making it the top-rated new show of the fall season at its launch. The initial success led to a renewal for a 14-episode second season, which premiered on September 27, 2022.
However, the show's journey was not without challenges. While it maintained a dedicated fanbase, viewership numbers saw a steady decline over its run. On January 31, 2023, NBC renewed 'La Brea' for a third season, but it was announced to be an abbreviated six-episode final season. This decision was significantly influenced by the looming Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which impacted production schedules across Hollywood. The network and Universal Television offered the cast a release from their contracts after the shortened third season, which they accepted, allowing them to pursue other projects.
The third and final season premiered on January 9, 2024, and concluded with a two-part series finale on February 13, 2024. The show's creator, David Appelbaum, expressed pride in how the team managed to wrap up the story, providing an emotionally cathartic ending for the characters, despite the constraints of a shorter season. The finale saw the Harris family reunited in 2021, with many character arcs receiving closure, though some viewers felt the ending was rushed due to the reduced episode count.
Post-broadcast, 'La Brea' found a new lease on life in the streaming world. While it was initially available on Peacock, all three seasons were released on Netflix in select international territories in late 2024. Significantly, as of today, May 1, 2026, all three seasons of 'La Brea' have become available to stream on Netflix in the United States. This move is expected to give the canceled sci-fi drama another chance to find a new and wider audience, following a trend of past broadcast shows gaining renewed popularity on the platform.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if La Brea (TV series) made different choices?