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why was the lying game cancelled

“The Lying Game” was cancelled by ABC Family after two seasons mainly because its ratings were modest and never reached the level the network wanted, especially compared with hits like “Pretty Little Liars.”

Quick Scoop

Here’s the short version of why The Lying Game was cancelled:

  • ABC Family decided not to renew the show for a third season after a long period “on the bubble,” meaning renewal was uncertain due to performance.
  • Trade coverage at the time noted that both “The Lying Game” and other shows like “Bunheads” had only modest ratings, which put pressure on the network’s schedule.
  • Star Alexandra Chando confirmed the cancellation on Instagram, saying the network had “decided not to bring us back for a third season,” and thanking fans for two seasons.

In other words, there was no big public scandal or single dramatic incident; it was a typical TV business decision driven by viewership and the network’s programming strategy.

What exactly happened?

  • The show aired on ABC Family from 2011–2013 and ended after Season 2.
  • After months of uncertainty, Alexandra Chando (who played the twins Emma and Sutton) posted an Instagram message confirming that ABC Family was not moving forward with Season 3.
  • Entertainment outlets then reported that the cancellation was unsurprising because the series had only modest ratings compared with stronger performers on the channel.

Fans often describe it as one of those “great show, unlucky numbers” cases: lots of potential, but not enough live viewers to justify more episodes.

Any latest news or revival talk?

  • As of early 2026, there has been no official move to revive “The Lying Game” for TV, streaming, or a limited series.
  • The show still has an active fan presence online (including a dedicated wiki and forum discussions), but nothing concrete from a network or streamer about a reboot.

So if you’ve just finished binge‑watching and feel the ending was abrupt, you’re not alone—many viewers are still frustrated it never got a proper final season.

Forum-style angle and fan viewpoints

Across fan forums and discussion threads, you’ll usually see a few recurring points from viewers talking about why “The Lying Game” was cancelled and how they feel about it:

  1. “Underrated gem”
    • Many fans call it a smart, twisty teen mystery that never got the marketing or time slot support of bigger shows.
  1. Ratings vs. quality
    • People often argue that quality was strong but ratings didn’t match, which is a common problem for serialized mystery dramas.
  1. Frustration with the cliffhangers
    • Viewers are still annoyed that several storylines and the overarching mystery never got a fully resolved on‑screen ending.

TL;DR

“The Lying Game” was cancelled because its ratings were modest and ABC Family chose not to invest in a third season, even though the show had a dedicated fanbase. No official revival has been announced as of 2026, so the unresolved plot threads remain one of those lingering TV “what ifs.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.