5 Showrunners Who Were Fired From TV Shows They Created

Five showrunners have been let go from the television series they created, a phenomenon that occurs infrequently but has left a lasting impact on pop culture. Their firings have varied in cause, from poor show management to more serious allegations. This has resulted in controversy and often a decline in show quality. The most prominent example is Justin Roiland, who was fired from both "Rick and Morty" and "Koala Man" in 2023, following accusations of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Roiland was cleared of the domestic violence charges, but the sexual assault allegations remained. Meanwhile, Dan Harmon, co-creator of "Community", was fired by NBC after the third season of the show, a decision that backfired as the fourth season received mixed reviews and led to Harmon's reinstatement for the fifth season before the show's cancellation.

Beau DeMayo, the showrunner of the revived "X-Men 97", was also fired by Disney in March 2024. DeMayo had created a successful revival of the beloved 90s animated series, earning accolades and nominations. However, his termination came after an internal investigation revealed allegations of racism and other misconduct. Lastly, Andrew Kreisberg, co-creator of "Arrow", "The Flash", "Supergirl", and "DC's Legends of Tomorrow", was suspended by Warner Bros.

TV Group in 2017 amid allegations of sexual harassment. Despite maintaining his innocence, Kreisberg was fired following the investigation.