Showtime Saves 'Uncoupled' With Neil Patrick Harris From Cancelation By Netflix

The rom-com television series "Uncoupled" has been given a reprieve on its recent cancelation. The show, which stars Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother," "The Smurfs") will return for a second season after getting picked up by Showtime, reports Variety.

Netflix had previously canceled the series in January, but now it will receive a second season on the premium network, Showtime. The show was created by Darren Star ("Emily in Paris") and Jeffrey Richman ("Modern Family). It follows a New York City real estate broker, Michael Lawson (Harris), who moves out of his shared home with his boyfriend (Tuc Watkins), who just abruptly broke up with him. Now, Michael has to face the prospect of starting over in his 40s.

The show also stars Tisha Campbell, Brooks Ashmanskas, Watkins, Emerson Brooks, and Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden. Star, Richman, Harris, and Lilly Burns executive produce the show, which is co-produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions, Jeffrey Richman Productions, and Jax Media.

The show drew decent reviews from critics following its premiere. It scored 73% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with its audience score currently sitting at 76%. Variety noted the show managed to crack Netflix's Top 10 chart, ranking No. 5 in August, but the show didn't appear to have any staying power on Netflix's popular titles chart beyond one week. Netflix later reportedly pulled the plug on the show after it reportedly failed to find more of an audience.

The news comes quickly on the heels of the recent announcement that Showtime is being integrated across its linear and online platforms with Paramount+. The launch is slated for later this year and will only affect the premium tier of Paramount+ and the Showtime linear network in the United States. It will be rebranded later as Paramount+ with Showtime.

With that in mind, Showtime looking for more content, with shows like "Uncoupled" makes sense. Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter notes that Showtime is shifting its programming focus due to the Paramount+ merger. This includes franchising its popular shows, such as "Billions" and "Dexter," along with looking to offer "culturally diverse" programming, such as "The Chi," "The L Word: Generation Q," and the newly acquired "Uncoupled." Also, Star, the show's creator has an overall deal with Paramount Global.

Series star Harris is also set to appear in the upcoming 2023 specials for "Doctor Who" opposite the returning David Tennant and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. The new episodes are slated to debut on Disney+ later this November, with Disney+ being the new global home of the long-running science fiction television show. Harris will be portraying a villain in his upcoming appearance.

Harris also made a surprise return as his character Barney Stinson from the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" in the spinoff show, "How I Met Your Father" in the show's Season 2 premiere episode. The show is streaming now on Hulu.

Details on when viewers can expect a second season of "Uncoupled" on Showtime or Paramount+ with Showtime have not yet been revealed.