'The Irrational' Canceled After Two Seasons on NBC

NBC has decided not to move forward with a third season of The Irrational.

The network canceled the series after season 2, multiple outlets reported Friday, May 9.

The law enforcement drama followed professor of behavioral science Dr. Alec Mercer, played by The Flash and Law & Order alum Jesse L. Martin. Mercer used his understanding of human behavior to help crack the world’s toughest cases.

The hour-long drama was loosely based on author Dan Ariely’s best-selling book, “Predictably Irrational.” The series premiered in September 2023, and also starred Arash DeMaxi, Maahra Hill, Molly Kunz, and Travina Springer.

NBC renewed the drama for a second season two months after it debuted. At the time, the network said The Irrational was among the most-watched broadcast shows among Black audiences.

On Friday, TV Line reported the drama averaged 4.4 million total viewers (with delayed playback) in season 2, and was down just 4 percent from its freshman season.

The second season concluded in March, and the cast and crew had been waiting for word on the show’s fate.

Although showrunner and executive producer Arika Lisanne Mittman thought there was at least a chance there would be another season. As season 2 ended, Mittman told TV Insider, “Next season there’s going to be more intriguing mysteries, more to uncover.”

The series was produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

NBC also just canceled the dramas Found and Suits LA. Earlier this week, the network renewed its fan favorite “One Chicago” franchise made up of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med.