On May 9, 2025, NBC confirmed the cancellation of its drama series Found after two seasons, leaving fans eager for answers as the show wraps up its storyline. The series, which stars Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely, a public relations specialist with a haunting past, will air its Season 2 finale on May 15, 2025, serving as the series finale.
The cancellation was part of a broader decision by NBC to cut back on scripted programming in anticipation of 180 primetime hours dedicated to NBA basketball next season. Alongside Found, NBC also canceled several other series including The Irrational, Suits LA, Night Court, and Lopez vs. Lopez.
Found debuted in the fall of 2023 as a strike contingency show, launched during a time when scripted originals were scarce. Its premiere episodes drew a significant audience, with 10.5 million viewers across platforms in the first week, making it NBC's top launch on its streaming service, Peacock. However, despite this strong start, the show saw a decline in viewership over its two seasons, averaging 3.9 million total viewers in the current season, a drop of just 13% from its freshman run.
The show follows Gabi Mosely, who was once among the more than 600,000 people reported missing in the U.S. each year, with a significant portion being people of color. Gabi's character is complex; she not only manages crises for families of missing persons but also harbors a chilling secret: her childhood kidnapper, Sir, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, was imprisoned by her in her basement until he escaped at the end of Season 1. This plot twist set up a tense dynamic for Season 2, which revolves around Sir's subsequent capture and the introduction of new characters, including a stealth family member of his.
As the series heads toward its finale, titled "Missing While Dying," the storyline intensifies. In this episode, someone from Dhan's past resurfaces, seeking their missing wife, which triggers Dhan's trauma. Meanwhile, Gabi must barter with her life as her crisis management team mobilizes to track down one of their own. The finale promises to be a dramatic conclusion, with Gabi's actions leading to bold declarations and unresolved tensions.
Despite its cancellation, there is a glimmer of hope for fans as Warner Bros. Television, the show's lead studio, is reportedly considering shopping the series to other outlets. This could potentially allow for the continuation of Gabi's story beyond the NBC platform, although no confirmations have been made yet.
Created by Nkechi Okoro Carroll and produced in association with Berlanti Productions and Rock My Soul Productions, Found has garnered attention for its exploration of missing persons, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked cases of people of color. The series has received praise for its unique premise and the depth of its characters, particularly Gabi's dual role as a victim and a protector of others.
As fans prepare for the series finale, many are left pondering the fate of Gabi and her team. Will they be able to resolve the tensions that have built up over the series? How will Gabi's past continue to shape her future? The answers remain tantalizingly just out of reach as the show prepares to close its chapter.
In a recent interview, Hampton teased the finale's unexpected twists, stating, "As we are on this sort of crazy runaway train to the finale, everything feels unhinged, and Gabi handles everything, but it all is coming to a head in a way that I don’t think the fans will expect." This hints at a finale that will not only resolve some storylines but potentially leave viewers with lingering questions about the characters' futures.
As the television landscape continues to evolve, Found serves as a reminder of the importance of representation in media, particularly in stories that highlight the struggles of marginalized communities. The show's cancellation may mark the end of Gabi's journey on NBC, but the conversations it sparked about missing persons and the narratives surrounding them will hopefully continue.
Fans of Found are encouraged to tune in for the finale, airing on May 15, 2025, at 10/9c, as the series aims to deliver a conclusion that honors its characters and their stories, even as it faces an uncertain future.
