Natasha Rothwell is reacting to the cancellation of the Hulu series “How to Die Alone,” which she created and starred in.
In a statement shared with Variety on Tuesday, Feb. 4, Rothwell said that she is “shocked, heartbroken and frankly, baffled” by the Onyx Collective’s decision to cancel the show after 1 season. Onyx is a Disney content brand that focuses on projects from people of color and other underrepresented communities.
Rothwell argued that “How to Die Alone,” which premiered in September 2024, was “an undeniable critical, creative and award-winning success.”
The comedy series was nominated for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards, and Rothwell won the Producer Award for Black Cinema & Television at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards Celebration of Cinema & Television. “How to Die Alone” also has three pending nominations for the NAACP Image Awards.
Rothwell noted in her statement that she is shopping “How to Die Alone” around to other platforms.
“Representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about ensuring that our stories, our existence and our cultural contributions are not erased,” she said.
In “How to Die Alone,” Rothwell starred as Mel, a JFK airport employee who’s never been in love. During season 1, she has a brush with death that prompts her to start living more fully.
In addition to Rothwell, the show starred Conrad Ricamora, Jocko Sims, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones.
While the future of “How to Die Alone” is uncertain, audiences will soon see Rothwell again in season 3 of “The White Lotus,” which premieres on HBO on Sunday, Feb. 16. She will reprise her role as Belinda after previously appearing on season 1 of the series.
“I would be on set, even when it wasn’t my day shooting, just to watch the magic unfold,” Rothwell told Entertainment Weekly in December 2024 of making season 3. “And I would be gagged — as if I hadn’t already read all the scripts! … I really do think that this season is magic. That’s the only word.”
Season 1 of “How to Die Alone” is available to stream on Hulu.
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