Timothy Olyphant's 30-Episode Netflix Horror Series Is So Good, It Demands A Rewatch

Published Sep 30, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT

El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.

Timothy Olyphant's unique, bloody, 30-episode horror series on Netflix is so good, it demands a rewatch. Olyphant is best known for his dramatic roles in dark Western thrillers like Deadwood and Justified and crime dramas like Fargo. Still, Olyphant is no stranger to the horror genre, having starred in the 2010 remake of cult hit The Crazies and, more recently, in FX's highly acclaimed Alien spinoff, Alien: Earth. Olyphant isn't just a great dramatic or horror actor, though; he's also an incredible comedic performer.

Years after his brief, two-episode stint in The Office, Olyphant was cast to co-lead an undeniably hilarious, unexpected Netflix horror-comedy show: Santa Clarita Diet. Starring alongside the one and only Drew Barrymore, Olyphant plays loving husband Joel Hammond, forced to come to terms with the fact that his sweet, caring realtor wife has become a bloodthirsty, undead, cannibalistic killing machine.

Rather than run from his problems, Joel actively helps Sheila figure out what happened to her and find new ways to feed, including hunting down Santa Clarita's most unsavory individuals (strangely, they aren't that hard to find in a small California suburb). With its weirdly relatable, oddball characters, incredible jokes, sharp dialogue, and disgustingly fun gore, Santa Clarita Diet is endlessly rewatchable.

Santa Clarita Diet Is One Of The Most Unique Shows On Netflix

Olyphant's performance as Joel is the perfect balance of bewildered, devoted, and downright terrified. In almost every scene, viewers can see Joel questioning his life choices, only for him to fall in love with his wife all over again — even after she rips someone to shreds in the middle of their kitchen. The chemistry between Olyphant and Barrymore is hilarious, sweet, and surprisingly sexy for a show that consistently features someone drinking a brain smoothie. They're genuinely one of modern TV's best couples. Barrymore is on top form, too, her effortless charisma shining through.

What makes Santa Clarita's bizarre mix of comedy and horror work so well is the way it shifts focus. While Sheila's affliction and the quest to figure out what happened to her drive the show, every story thread and episode relies on family dynamics and love. Sheila and Joel want to protect their daughter, Abby (Liv Hewson), while Abby wants to protect them. Abby's relationship with her nerdy neighbor Eric (Skyler Gisondo) is a fantastic example of unconditional friendship. Joel and Sheila need to find new ways to keep the romance alive while burying bodies in the desert and leaving severed, decaying talking heads in their basement.

The series explores questions of morality, ethics, the difficulties and joys of marriage, and what it means to be a good parent through a satirical horror lens. There's no other show quite like it. Over three 10-episode seasons, Santa Clarita Diet built something really special, but unfortunately, despite critical acclaim and a sizable audience, Netflix's statistics-driven cancellation policy couldn't be stopped.

Canceling Santa Clarita Diet Was One Of Netflix's Biggest Mistakes

It's a genuine shame that Netflix canceled Santa Clarita Diet after three seasons. The show had really found its groove, striking the right balance between its supernatural horror plot and its family-driven storytelling. Showrunner and creator Victor Fresco told the Guardian that he tried to save the show by adding in a massive cliffhanger, hoping to force Netflix's hand. Unfortunately, despite Santa Clarita Diet being one of Netflix's earliest originals, the studio's now-infamous ruthlessness won out. Fresco first learned of the show's cancellation when a producer told him the sets were being torn down while he was still editing season 3.

Since Santa Clarita Diet was canceled in 2019, Netflix's cancellation legacy has only gotten worse. Stranger Things, Wednesday, or Bridgerton-style success is almost unattainable for more niche, genre-blending shows like Fresco's. There's something to be said for building a catalog of interesting, compelling, and creative series without alienating audiences with untimely cancellations and cliffhangers.

Still, Santa Clarita's major cliffhanger proves one thing: as frustrating as it is not knowing what happens to Joel and Sheila — no spoilers here — the show isn't defined by its ending. It remains a rewatchable gem. Every episode is a hilarious, fast-paced ride. Audiences looking for something funny and bloody to watch during spooky season should hit play on Santa Clarita Diet (again).