ABC has had to make tough decisions in primetime programming in recent years, and Big Sky stands out as one of the network's most disappointing cancellations. Often mentioned alongside surprise cancellations like The Company You Keep and Alaska Daily, Big Sky, which began in 2020, drew attention with its unique concept. Based on C.J. Box's The Highway books, the series offered multiple storylines that set it apart from classic crime dramas. Additionally, lead actors like Katheryn Winnick and Kylie Bunbury brought a new dimension to the female-centric cast.

Unfortunately, it's clear that ABC couldn't find enough viewers to continue Big Sky into its fourth season. The third season felt like a turning point that revitalized the best features of the show's first season. Known as "Deadly Trails," this season strongly argued that Big Sky deserved a second chance. The third episode stood out in a different way with the participation of Reba McEntire, who managed a mysterious filming location called Sunny Day Excursions. Big Sky was moving in a strong direction, making its cancellation even more painful.

One of the standout elements of Big Sky was that each season presented a new story. This brought in a rotating cast alongside Winnick and Bunbury. Recognizable faces like Ryan Phillipe, John Carroll Lynch, Jensen Ackles, and McEntire kept offering viewers a constant sense of novelty by appearing in Big Sky. The inclusion of so many characters ensured that Big Sky fans were always expecting something new.

While the growing character list was a nice touch for Big Sky, the main element that made the series so different was its changing stories. There was a small connection over three seasons, but each episode felt like a chapter from a book. Although it wasn't an anthology series, it gave the impression that each season was completely different in terms of crime, supporting cast, and even tone. The first season focused on the story of Ronald, played by Brian Geraghty, as a truck driver who was a serial kidnapper.