Neil Patrick Harris Sitcom 'Uncoupled' Gets a Season 2 After All – on Showtime

The Neil Patrick Harris-led sitcom "Uncoupled" was axed by Netflix, only for Showtime to swoop in and sweep the post-breakup comedy off its feet for an "edgier and racier" second season, Deadline reported.

In addition to starring Harris, the show is created by "Sex and the City" creator Darren Star and "Modern Family" co-executive producer Jeffrey Richman. The series' eight-episode first season was a flop on Netflix, which announced last month that it would not renew the show.

Showtime's rescue of "Uncoupled" is part of a "new content strategy" that will slot the Harris-starring sitcom "into one [of] the three main content lanes recently outlined by new Showtime boss Chris McCarthy," Deadline detailed – namely, "'Metro Cultures,' which spans 'culturally diverse takes' like 'The L Word' and 'The Chi.'"

The show's migration is also part of a larger shift associated with Showtime merging into streamer Paramount+, for which reason "Showtime has shed several series," Deadline noted, including "Three Women" (which will be "landing at Starz"), while "American Gigolo" and "Let The Right One In" have been canceled.

Deadline added that Showtime is "shifting focus to three main strengths/content filters" – "Complex Characters (Subversive antiheroes like 'Dexter' and 'Yellowjackets'), Powerful Worlds (High-stakes shows like 'Billions' and 'Homeland') and Metro-Cultures."

Meanwhile, "Ripley" – a miniseries based on the character created by lesbian novelist Patricia Highsmith – will be going in the opposite direction; originally intended for Showtime, "Ripley" is now destined for Netflix, Deadline reported.

With the switch to Showtime, "Uncoupled" is "expected to be edgier and racier than the version that aired on Netflix."

The series joins a lineup of Showtime content with a queer focus. "In addition to 'The L Word,' it is joining an upcoming Showtime limited series featuring LGBTQ+ themes, 'Fellow Travelers,' which stars Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, Allison Williams, Jelani Alladin and Noah J. Ricketts," the article said.

Deadline recalled the plot of the show: "In 'Uncoupled,' Harris stars as a gay man in his mid-40s navigating the single life in New York City after he was unceremoniously dumped by his partner of 17 years. The core cast also includes Tisha Campbell, Brooks Ashmanskas, Emerson Brooks and Marcia Gay Harden."