FX Pulls the Plug on "English Teacher" After Two Critically Acclaimed Seasons, Leaving Fans Wondering

Imagine scoring a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for your second season, only to have your show canceled a month and a half later. That's the surprising reality for fans of FX's witty comedy, "English Teacher," which has officially been axed after just two seasons.

TL;DR: The Quick Hits You Need to Know

• FX has canceled the critically beloved comedy "English Teacher" after its second season.
• Despite a stunning 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for Season 2 and widespread critical praise, the network offered no public reason for the decision.
• The show's creator and star, Brian Jordan Alvarez, faced sexual assault allegations prior to the series premiere, which resurfaced during its run and are widely speculated to be a factor in the cancellation.

A Deep Dive into "English Teacher's" Brief, Bright Run

"English Teacher," a sharp and relatable comedy created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez, was a quick favorite among critics and a growing base of devoted fans. The series followed Evan Marquez (Alvarez), a passionate, openly gay high school English teacher navigating the often-hilarious and sometimes-heavy political, professional, and personal aspects of teaching "woke teens" in Austin, Texas.

His classroom and faculty lounge escapades, alongside his best friend Gwen (Stephanie Koenig), gym teacher Markie (Sean Patton), wild card guidance counselor Rick (Carmen Christopher), and constantly terrified Principal Grant Moretti (Enrico Colantoni), resonated with many. The show offered a unique blend of dry humor, smart perspective, and emotional honesty that made it stand out.

Critical Darling Status for Both Seasons on FX

From its debut, "English Teacher" garnered significant critical acclaim. Season 1, which premiered on FX in September 2024, quickly earned a stellar 98% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Hollywood Reporter lauded its "sharp ensemble, smart perspective, and finely honed sense of humor," while The New York Times praised Alvarez's performance for striking "just the right note of curdled exasperation."

The accolades continued, with the first season receiving nominations for Critics Choice Television Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, and a WGA Award nomination for the episode "Linda." Season 2, which dropped on FX on Hulu in September 2025, somehow managed to top that, achieving a rare and perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The AV Club noted that the show "has the chemistry, playbook, and legs for more potential seasons," underscoring the surprise surrounding its abrupt end.

Behind the Scenes: The Shadow of Allegations Against the Star and Creator

However, "English Teacher's" journey was marked by significant controversy even before its first episode aired. Brian Jordan Alvarez, the show's creative force and lead actor, faced sexual assault allegations from his former colleague and friend, Jon Ebeling.

These allegations first came to public light shortly before the Season 1 premiere in August 2024, and were detailed further in a December 2024 Vulture article. Ebeling claimed that Alvarez sexually assaulted him during the filming of their 2016 web series, "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo." He described feeling "frozen" during one alleged incident on set where Alvarez reportedly pulled down his underwear and began sucking his penis under the guise of filming a sex scene. Another claim involved Alvarez putting his hand down Ebeling's pants during a hang-out at Alvarez's apartment.

"My personal experience with the Cretor of this show was much closer to the plot of Bby Reindr than whatever this is," Ebeling wrote on Instagram, referencing the Netflix series about a sexual assault survivor. He later told The Daily Beast in February 2025 that he was "heartbroken and devastated" by the show's renewal and expressed fear "for the people who have to work with Brian."

— Jon Ebeling, via Instagram and The Daily Beast

Ebeling filed a police report with the LAPD on September 1, 2024, just one day before "English Teacher" premiered, eight years after the alleged assault occurred. He also reported the incident to the Screen Actors Guild.

Alvarez, through a spokesperson and his attorney Michael J. Kump, has consistently denied these claims. His representatives stated that Alvarez's "interactions with Jon Ebeling were always entirely consensual" and that Ebeling had "enthusiastically gave consent." Alvarez's team further characterized Ebeling as a "self-described manipulator" who was distorting events.

FX's Stance and the Renewal That Raised Eyebrows

Before "English Teacher" even launched, FX acknowledged the controversy. A spokesperson for the network stated, "We reviewed the allegations presented to us by another media outlet prior to the show’s launch. Mr. Ebeling never reached out to us with any concerns. We will have no further comment at this time."

Despite the storm of allegations and Ebeling's public distress, FX proceeded to renew "English Teacher" for a second season in February 2025, a decision that came four months after the Season 1 finale and two months after the Vulture article detailed the claims. This renewal raised many questions about how networks navigate such serious accusations against key talent.

Decoding the Unexpected Cancellation Decision

When the cancellation news broke on November 12, 2025, FX did not offer any public reasoning. This silence has, understandably, fueled widespread speculation, especially given the show's perfect critical scores.

One prevalent theory points directly to the lingering sexual assault allegations against Brian Jordan Alvarez. Several reports highlighted that the series "struggled to gain footing after sexual assault allegations emerged about the series creator" (Source: Variety, "English Teacher Season 3: Why Brian Jordan Alvarez Show Got Canceled?", 11/13/2025). The network and Alvarez reportedly conducted a limited press rollout for the second season, possibly to avoid drawing further attention to the controversy.

The Nuances of Audiences Versus Accolades

However, it's rarely just one factor. While "English Teacher" enjoyed immense critical love and built a "devoted following," it "wasn't able to attract large audience" (Source: Deadline, "FX Opts Not to Proceed With Third Season of Comedy 'English Teacher'", 11/12/2025). Even a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score doesn't guarantee massive viewership, especially on a premium cable network like FX, which relies on a different economic model than a broad streaming platform.

The second season's release strategy also merits a mention. Unlike Season 1's weekly drops, all 10 episodes of Season 2 were released at once, a "binge-watch" format (Source: Fansided, "FX has canceled English Teacher after two seasons", 11/12/2025). While some platforms thrive on this, it can impact sustained buzz and viewership metrics that networks often look for. Interestingly, Fansided also noted that despite the binge drop, "the ratings were on the stronger side for the second season," suggesting that the audience wasn't necessarily the biggest issue, further highlighting the role of the controversy in the cancellation discussion.

Example: The Complex Equation for Studios

Consider a hypothetical scenario: A studio greenlights a promising project with a talented, albeit controversial, creator. The show launches to rave reviews, but the shadow of past allegations never fully lifts. Each interview request, each marketing campaign, each award nomination becomes a potential minefield. Even if the viewership is decent, the ongoing PR management, the potential for boycotts, and the discomfort among cast and crew can add unseen costs and complexities. Ultimately, a network might decide that even strong critical reception can't outweigh the persistent challenges posed by such controversies, leading to a decision to part ways, often without explicit public statements to avoid further entanglement.

In the case of "English Teacher," the combination of potentially not hitting desired viewership numbers and the persistent, serious allegations against its creator-star likely created an untenable situation for FX. The network's silence, while frustrating for fans, is a common approach in such complex scenarios, designed to prevent further legal or public relations complications.

Practical Takeaways for Devoted Fans

• Catch Up on Both Seasons: If you haven't seen it, or want to revisit, both seasons of "English Teacher" are available to stream on Hulu. This is your chance to appreciate the critically acclaimed comedy.
• Reflect on Industry Dynamics: This cancellation highlights the complex interplay between critical success, audience reach, and the impact of personal controversies on creative projects in Hollywood.
• Support Other Creators: While the loss of "English Teacher" stings, keep an eye out for other sharp, innovative comedies on FX and other platforms.
• Stay Informed, Seek Context: When news like this breaks without clear answers, remember that multiple factors are often at play, and official silence often means navigating sensitive legal or ethical territory.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered When was "English Teacher" canceled? FX announced the cancellation of "English Teacher" on November 12, 2025, just over a month and a half after its second season premiered. Why was "English Teacher" canceled? FX has not provided an official reason. However, reports and speculation widely point to a combination of the show's inability to attract a large audience despite critical acclaim, and ongoing sexual assault allegations against creator and star Brian Jordan Alvarez. Where can I watch "English Teacher" now? Both seasons of "English Teacher" are available for streaming on Hulu. Who were the main cast members of "English Teacher"? The main cast included Brian Jordan Alvarez as Evan Marquez, Stephanie Koenig as Gwen Sanders, Enrico Colantoni as Principal Grant Moretti, Sean Patton as Markie Hillridge, and Carmen Christopher as Rick.

Sources

• Sara Donnellan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, "Critically-acclaimed comedy ‘English Teacher’ canceled after two seasons", 11/13/2025.
• Nellie Andreeva | Deadline, "FX Opts Not to Proceed With Third Season of Comedy ‘English Teacher’", 11/12/2025.
• Carly Thomas | The Hollywood Reporter, "‘English Teacher’ Canceled at FX After Two Seasons", 11/12/2025.
• Matt Durr | MLive.com, "FX’s ‘English Teacher’ canceled despite being a critical favorite", 11/12/2025.
• Vulture | New York Magazine, "FX Cancels English Teacher After Two Seasons", 11/12/2025.
• Visarg Acharya | FandomWire, "English Teacher Season 3: Why Brian Jordan Alvarez Show Got Canceled?", 11/13/2025.
• Variety | TheWrap, "FX Cancels Critically Acclaimed ‘English Teacher’ After Two Seasons", 11/12/2025.
• ComingSoon.net, "Hit Sitcom With Incredible RT Score Canceled at FX After 2 Seasons", 11/12/2025.
• Yahoo Entertainment, "FX cancels English Teacher after two seasons", 11/12/2025.
• Shivani Negi | Hindustan Times, "Brian Jordan Alvarez assault claims resurface as FX cancels English Teacher after season 2", 11/13/2025.
• Cody Schultz | Fansided, "FX has canceled English Teacher after two seasons", 11/12/2025.