Fox is known for having a diverse lineup of dramas, and a crime series named “The Cleaning Lady” once stood as one of its top offerings. When it premiered in 2022, it was the highest-rated new drama on the network for two years. Unfortunately, after its fourth season in 2025, the show was canceled, leaving fans disappointed. The decision wasn’t surprising to those observing the ratings, as the show ranked poorly during the 2024-25 season. With the fierce competition for primetime slots, low-performing shows struggle to survive. But what led to the dramatic decline in viewership?

The series had a compelling premise: It follows Thony De La Rosa, a skilled Cambodian-Filipino surgeon played by Élodie Yung, who finds herself working as a maid while also secretly assisting the mafia when her medical qualifications become invalid in the US. The show had a promising beginning, often earning accolades comparable to shows like “Breaking Bad.” However, the narrative suffered during the third and fourth seasons due to writing challenges spurred by the absence of the male lead, Adan Canto, who passed away in 2024 at just 42 years old.

The passing of Adan Canto in January 2024 shocked and saddened fans of “The Cleaning Lady.” Known for his work on other Fox series like “The Following,” as well as appearances on “Mixology,” “The Curse of the Fuentes Women,” and “Designated Survivor,” Canto died of appendiceal cancer. His on-screen dynamic with Élodie Yung’s character, Thony, was a major attraction of the show. Arman Morales, portrayed by Canto, is a gangster who helps Thony and her ailing son in exchange for her assistance during the first two seasons. Thony becomes immersed in his criminal world, growing closer to him, and they develop a mutual romantic interest. The electricity between their characters was so crucial that the show struggled to maintain its impact in his absence.

The third season of the show was being filmed at the time of Canto’s passing and producers were forced to make sudden adjustments to the plotline in the wake of his loss. “The Cleaning Lady” paid tribute to Canto himself during the Season 3 premiere and dealt with the issue by having Arman be kidnapped. Morales later dies in an escape attempt in the sixth episode of Season 3. From then on, Arman would be little more than a memory in Thony’s life. She considers an offer to work for Ramona Sanchez (Kate del Castillo), a relative of Arman’s with a criminal empire of her own, and going through an American medical internship. Audiences found these twists to be too telenova-like and ratings soon declined, which ultimately led to the show’s cancellation. Fans will forever wonder what could have been had Canto not passed away in such tragic circumstances.