CBS cancels popular drama follow-ups amid ‘Watson’·‘DMV’ uproar; ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ finale questioned as political pressure?

CBS has announced its lineup of TV drama broadcasts through 2027, and cancellations of follow-up seasons for popular series are once again drawing attention.

In 2026, CBS has already canceled follow-up season productions for some dramas. In January, it canceled the follow-up season of 〈Watson〉 and effectively moved the show toward its end. Later, it emerged that 〈Watson〉 was a popular drama that recorded 6.4 million viewers, yet CBS did not issue any statement explaining why it stopped production of such a hit series, deepening the mystery. The drama reimagines John Watson, a character who appears in the Sherlock Holmes corner, as a medical problem-solver.

In addition, CBS also canceled the production of another follow-up season. It is a drama about everyday life at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and in May 2026 it aired the final episode that had been produced. According to the outlet Variety, the show drew 5.7 million viewers.

Also, 〈The Late Show with Stephen Colbert〉 was put on a winding-down path for production to end. The show, hosted by Stephen Colbert starting in 2015, was a flagship among late-night talk shows and long remained beloved. But in 2025, CBS revealed a plan for the show’s finale, and, as scheduled, it moved toward its end in May 2026. The show, in particular, had raised critical voices about U.S. President Donald Trump, and many now say the ending itself reflects political pressure, sparking controversy.