The Steven Spielberg-produced films produced by Steven Spielberg, which naturally drew more attention to it upon its release. It was a wildly expensive show to make, with each CGI-heavy episode costing an estimated $4 million. Unfortunately, this became part of the show's downfall, as Terra Nova only ran for just a single season.

Terra Nova explored unique science fiction concepts like time travel and dinosaurs. With its memorably stunning CGI work, Terra Nova is even considered one of the best TV shows about dinosaurs, even 13 years after it ended. The show generally had middling reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, though they leaned towards positive. Even in its short time on air, Terra Nova was able to build a substantial fanbase, engaging audiences with its unique premise, stellar cast, and outstanding graphics.

Terra Nova Was About Humans Going Back In Time To Establish A Colony

The Show Made Great Use Of Computer Graphics

Terra Nova follows the Shannon family, who are transmitted 85 million years back in time to flee an overpopulated mid-22nd century America. In the past, they worked to establish a new colony of humans called Terra Nova or New Land. The show manages to subvert some major time travel tropes, focusing more on the new setting rather than the effects of the past. With the show set in prehistoric times, the Shannons still have to battle corporate destruction and a new threat: dinosaurs. Many found the show's CGI landscape and dinosaurs engaging, helping to transport the audiences as well.

With such a novel premise, Terra Nova was able to define its tone and role in the genre effectively. The show also balanced familiar themes of family and societal dynamics with new, invented dangers of the era. Despite some violence and graphic moments, its themes, gripping action, well-paced plot, and fantastic visuals provided content for many sci-fi fans. The show also starred iconic actors like Jason O'Mara and Stephen Lang, who helped make the story even more compelling.

Terra Nova's Exciting Premise & Cast Weren't Enough To Save The Show

Despite Fan Campaigns, Fox Decided Not To Make A Second Season

Terra Nova was on the path to success early in its first season. At the 2011 Critics' Choice Television Awards, its pilot was even deemed one of eight honorees in the Most Exciting New Series category. However, some audiences found it dragging a little by the middle of the year, with the initial novelty wearing off. Overall, Terra Nova became too expensive to continue producing, and it ultimately failed to become a major success, with Fox canceling the show after only one season.

After Terra Nova's cancelation, fans began campaigning in of a second season. Many still loved the exciting premise, iconic setting, and graphics and were eager for more character development. One campaign tactic even involved sending plastic dinosaurs to Fox, particularly to the network's then-chairman of entertainment. Even the show's prominent cast ed the movement but were unable to revive the show. Though other networks expressed interest in reviving it, Terra Nova remained canceled. Unfortunately, this early cancelation meant that the Spielberg-produced project didn't really get the opportunity to fully realize its potential.

Other High Concept Shows That Ended Too Soon

FlashForward, Revolution & Firefly Had Big Ideas But Were Canceled Before They Could Explore Them

Terra Nova had a big idea and simply could not draw in the audience to connect with the series. That has been a problem with many high-concept shows that failed to launch in the way they were expected. When a show gambles on a big premise but fails to draw a large audience, it usually means that the series isn't going to last too long and the fans that did tune in are left wanting more from the bold ideas.

One of the best examples of this was the series FlashFoward, which was touted as the next big sci-fi mystery that would replace Lost. Like Lost, the show follows several different characters as part of a large ensemble as they attempt to understand the global event in which everyone on Earth blacked out and saw a vision of their future. Despite high hopes, the show was canceled after one season.

Another series that was built as a grand drama with an expansive story and a lot of different characters was Revolution. The series takes place in the future in which the entire world experienced an electrical blackout, returning the planet to the dark ages as the remaining population attempts to survive in a much different world. While it was a little more successful than FlashForward, it still only lasted two seasons.

One of the most famous examples of a high-concept show that was canceled too soon is Firefly. Following the success of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there was a lot of excitement about what the now-controversial Joss Whedon would make next. Firefly was an even grander vision with it following a crew of space cowboys on their intergalactic adventures in space. The ratings were not high enough to make up for the high budget, but while the show was canceled after one season, its cult status did allow for a movie, Serenity, to be made years later.

What The Terra Nova Cast Is Up To Now

Some Cast Have Gone Onto Big Things

While Terra Nova did not end up being the hit that many had hoped for, the main cast of the show was able to move on successfully following its cancellation. Jason O'Mara played the lead role of Jim Shannon on Terra Nova and continued to have a long career in television afterward. He appeared on shows like Vegas, Agents of SHIELD, and The Man in the High Castle. However, he might be best known for his voice performances as Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, in a number of DC animated movies, including Batman: Hush and The Death of Superman.

For some of the cast , the failure of Terra Nova was a small hurdle to overcome on their way to more successful shows. Shelley Conn played Dr Elizabeth Shannon in Terra Nova before going on to play Beelzebub in Good Omens, Indira Shetty in The Boys, and Lady Mary Sharma in the second season of Bridgerton.

However, the two most notable cast of Terra Nova found big success after the show was canceled. Naomi Scott, who played Maddy Shannon in the series, continues to be a rising star in Hollywood with notable roles like Elena in Charlie's Angeles, Jasmine in Aladdin, and the starring role of Skye Riley in Smile 2. Stephen Lang was an established character actor when he ed Terra Nova as Commander Nathaniel Taylor, but he found his biggest roles more recently, playing Quaritch in the Avatar movies and The Blind Man in Don't Breathe.