Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Life Sentence, which became one of CW’s most heartfelt yet underrated series that tackled serious themes with both humor and genuine emotion.
Originally premiering on The CW on March 7, 2018, this comedy-drama series was created by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith and starred Lucy Hale in a career-defining performance as Stella Abbott. The series ran for one season with a total of 13 episodes, each averaging 42 minutes in length. After struggling with ratings, the show was moved from Wednesdays at 9:00 pm to Fridays at 9:00 pm starting with episode 6 on April 27, 2018. Despite positive critical reception and a passionate fanbase, The CW canceled the series on May 8, 2018. Currently available on Netflix, Prime Video, and other streaming platforms, the series offers viewers an emotional journey about learning to live with the consequences of “living like you’re dying.”
When Stella finds out that her terminal cancer is cured, she must learn to live with all the choices she made when deciding to live like she was dying. What makes Life Sentence exceptional is its authentic exploration of how a second chance at life can be both a blessing and a challenge, forcing someone to confront the reality that impulsive decisions have lasting consequences.
Stella’s Journey from Dying to Living
Lucy Hale delivers her most mature performance to date as Stella Abbott, a young woman who spent eight years living with terminal cancer, making decisions based on the belief that her time was limited. Stella spent the last eight years living like she was dying (because she was). She faced her fears and found love on a trip to Paris. When Stella discovers her cancer is cured, she must face the consequences of her “live in the moment” lifestyle, including marrying a stranger named Wes.
Hale’s portrayal captures the complex emotions of someone who built their entire identity around being terminal, only to discover they now have to figure out how to actually live. Stella’s character development shows a woman learning that surviving cancer is just the beginning of her journey, not the end. Her growth throughout the series involves accepting responsibility for her past choices while learning to make decisions based on a future she never expected to have.
Wes and the Marriage of Convenience
Elliot Knight brings depth and charm to Wes, Stella’s husband whom she impulsively married in Paris while believing she was dying. Their relationship forms the romantic heart of the series, exploring what happens when a relationship built on terminal diagnosis must transform into something sustainable for the long term. Knight’s performance balances Wes’s genuine love for Stella with his own confusion about their future together.
The chemistry between Hale and Knight creates believable tension as they navigate whether their relationship can survive Stella’s cure. Wes represents stability and genuine partnership, but also forces Stella to confront whether she married him for love or because it felt safe when she thought she was dying. Their relationship arc explores themes of authentic love versus circumstantial attraction.
When Family Secrets Unravel Everything
When she learns her cancer is cured, she also finds out that her family isn’t as perfect as she thought. The series builds to powerful revelations about the Abbott family dynamics that were hidden from Stella during her illness. These discoveries about her parents’ marriage, her siblings’ struggles, and the family’s financial problems create emotional earthquakes that reshape all their relationships.
The most impactful episodes occur when Stella realizes that her family protected her from reality during her illness, leaving her completely unprepared for the complexities of adult life. These moments force both Stella and her family to confront how they’ve all been living in a fantasy where cancer was the only real problem they faced.
Supporting Cast and Family Dynamics
The supporting cast, including Dylan Walsh as Peter Abbott, Gillian Vigman as Ida Abbott, and Jayson Blair as Aiden Abbott, creates an authentic family dynamic that feels both loving and dysfunctional. Each family member has been shaped by Stella’s illness in different ways, creating complex relationships that must be redefined now that she’s healthy.
Brooke Lyons as Elizabeth and Carlos PenaVega as Diego provide additional layers to the family drama, showing how Stella’s cure affects not just her immediate family but everyone in their orbit. The series excels at showing how one person’s illness can become the organizing principle around which an entire family structures their lives.
Short-Lived CW Success and Devoted Fanbase
Unfortunately, Life Sentence was reportedly drawing in less than half a million total viewers, making it the lowest rated series on the CW’s schedule. Despite the low ratings, the series found a passionate audience, particularly among cancer survivors who appreciated its authentic portrayal of life after terminal diagnosis. Many fans, including a lot of cancer survivors, are disappointed that The CW chose to not renew the series.
The series holds a 6.5/10 rating on IMDb and received praise from critics for Lucy Hale’s performance and the show’s unique premise. In a follow up tweet, Hale revealed that the remaining 6 episodes of season one will air as planned, and the series will end after 13 episodes. The show’s availability on Netflix has allowed it to find new audiences who appreciate its heartfelt approach to serious subject matter.
A Heartfelt Story About True Living
If you love emotional dramedies that explore family dynamics, second chances, and learning to live authentically, Life Sentence is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This beautifully crafted show proves that sometimes getting everything you thought you wanted forces you to figure out what you actually need.
Why This Canceled Series Deserves Your Attention
Life Sentence succeeds because it treats serious subject matter with both respect and humor, creating a viewing experience that’s both emotionally satisfying and genuinely uplifting. This thoughtfully crafted series offers viewers a chance to examine their own life choices while celebrating the importance of family, authenticity, and learning that survival is just the beginning of truly living.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 13 episodes (1 season)
Platform: Netflix, Prime Video (originally The CW)
Release Year: 2018
Current IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Comedy-Drama, Family Drama
Status: Canceled after 1 season
Protagonists: Lucy Hale (Stella Abbott), Elliot Knight (Wes)
Supporting Cast: Dylan Walsh (Peter Abbott), Gillian Vigman (Ida Abbott), Jayson Blair (Aiden Abbott)