Why AP Bio Was Canceled (Twice)

Despite strong reviews, AP Bio, was canceled two separate times during its four-season run, and the reason behind the sitcom's cancelations is a frustrating and difficult truth. Initially released in 2018, AP Bio follows Jack Griffin, a disgraced Harvard philosophy professor who must move back to his hometown and begin teaching AP Biology at his local high school. However, Griffin decides that rather than actually teaching his students biology, he will prepare them to take down his arch nemesis so that he can get the job he believes is rightfully his.

On the page, AP Bio had plenty going for it during its run. The series starred It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, Glenn Howerton, as Griffin, along with Lyric Lewis, Mary Sohn, Paula Pell, and Patton Oswalt. AP Bio's cast also included notable guest stars such as Nikki Glaser, Niecy Nash, and Angela Kinsey. On top of that, the series was produced by Saturday Night Live's Mike O'Brien. By the end of its run, AP Bio earned an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score. Yet, one problem put all of these positives on hold: ratings.

AP Bio Was Canceled By NBC In 2019 After Poor Ratings

What Happened To AP Bio After Its First Cancelation

The first cancelation of AP Bio occurred in 2019. After airing for two seasons on NBC, the sitcomwas taken off the air due to poor ratings. Although the first season started off strong, garnering nearly six million viewers for its second-ever episode, "Teacher Jail," viewership quickly declined after that, averaging between two and three million viewers per episode. By season 2, these statistics only worsened, with only four out of 13 episodes surpassing the two million viewers mark. With little hope of reviving the series after so many episodes, it makes sense that AP Bio was canceled.

However, AP Bio's story did not end after NBC's cancelation. Despite its declining viewership, the sitcom was quickly picked up by Peacock. It may seem strange for NBC to cancel a series just to pick it back up on its streaming service, but there is some logic to this decision. AP Bio wasn't being watched live on NBC, but it had strong enough reviews, especially after season 2, to merit keeping the show around a bit longer. Most likely, NBC wanted to keep AP Bio afloat, but in a way that wasn't a detriment to the network and its viewership.

Peacock Never Gave An Official Reason For AP Bio's Cancelation In 2021

Potential Reasons Why AP Bio Was Canceled By Peacock

Patton Oswalt on the phone and looking frustrated in A.P. Bio

Unfortunately, AP Bio's residency on Peacock was as short-lived as its time on NBC. After two seasons of the show on Peacock, the service decided to cancel the show. In total, the sitcom received four seasons and 42 episodes. Strangely, Peacock did not offer an explanation for why it canceled AP Bio. It simply ended the show at the end of season 4 in 2021. Considering that AP Bio's critical reactions were still high, with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it can be assumed that viewership never improved, leading to the show's ultimate cancelation.

AP Bio was likely canceled by Peacock because of viewership. Although streaming ratings are a bit different from network television, Peacock could likely see the series was not gaining enough traction with viewers, even if those who did watch the show enjoyed it. Another issue that may have played a role was the COVID-19 pandemic. With audiences streaming more often, Peacock must have grown concerned that AP Bio was still struggling. There is also the factor of length. After four seasons, AP Bio never truly took off with viewers, so it probably seemed like the time to call it quits.

What AP Bio Season 5's Story Could Have Been

Best Shows To Watch Like AP Bio

Although AP Bio never got the chance to develop season 5, the story could have gone in many interesting directions. After going through emotional turmoil during AP Bio season 4, Griffin could have found a new sense of peace, not only in his romantic life, but with his family as well. Furthermore, Griffin's relationships with his students could have also grown, as he potentially learned to be better through them. Even the students themselves could have gotten into more antics during AP Bio season 5, yet the show's cancelation means these plots will likely end here.

Fortunately, those who loved AP Bio are not at a complete loss. There are a number of series that are great replacements for AP Bio. First and foremost is the Hulu sitcom, English Teacher, which follows a high school English teacher who must deal with the hilarious ups and downs of teaching in the current age. Abbott Elementary is also a fantastic school-centered sitcom that is currently airing its fourth season. Even new series like St. Denis Hospital, which has nothing to do with schools, could be an ideal replacement for AP Bio.

Where You Can Watch AP Bio Today

The Glenn Howerton Show Remains A Streaming Hit

While there are no new episodes of the show arriving following its cancelation in 2021, the good news is that AP Bio can be streamed on several platforms (as of early 2025). While Peacock canceled the show, they didn't remove it from the platform. All four seasons of AP Bio are still available to stream on Peacock in their entirety. What's more, the show has expanded onto other platforms too. AP Bio is available to stream on Netflix, including on the Basic with Ads tier.

For those who aren't Netflix or Peacock customers, the other option is to purchase AP Bio digitally. AP Bio is available to own on many platforms, including Amazon Video and Apple TV. Prices start at $2.99 per episode on both platforms, though purchasing whole seasons costs varying amounts. This is compared to the $7.99 per month cost of a Peacock or Netflix Basic With Ads subscription, which are the cheapest options available for those who wish to stream AP Bio.