Honestly, the few times I've hesitated on a show I've never gone back to then watch it, even if it has been picked up. Most times I hesitate on a show it's more due to scheduling conflicts or just by the time it comes on I've lost my interest in it. Unfortunately, unless a show is an instant bonafide hit for the network it's on or an abject failure out of the gate, it's not likely that a show or the people watching it will hear about whether it will get another season or be cancelled until the network finally makes its mind up about what shows they want to have stick around for next year or how many they have to get rid of for new shows they've green lit. There are many media pundits who try to prognosticate the chances of shows getting renewed or cancelled but they're not always right as in recent years we've seen, for example, NBC cut new shows like "Go On" and "Harry's Law" which had strong ratings in favor of keeping low-rated longer standing sitcoms like "Community" and "Parks & Rec" merely because the longer standing shows were at that precipice of syndication and would earn them added revenue if they were to be picked up for syndication. And CBS this last season was willing to sacrifice new comedy "The Crazy Ones" to allow limpy gazelle "Two and a Half Men" to stick around for yet another year.

The shows you mentioned though all have one thing in common - that being that they are all sci-fi dramas. My general rule of thumb when it comes to sci-fi dramas is to be leery of them when they are on the big 4 networks because it is rare that they are given the chance to build an audience or right the ship if they aren't on track from the get go ("Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." might be the only time a network has allowed a sci-fi show to work out the kinks in its first season, but that's likely due to it being Marvel-related and the show was basically banking on tying in with one of the films to course correct itself and it vastly improved the show as a result). If they develop an early following and manage to maintain it (think "Resurrection" and "Under The Dome") then you can breathe a little easier; but that's not always the case.

The 3 shows you're waiting on watching are all on cable channels, be it basic or premium - so you've got a far better chance of them surviving for a second season. Cable generally understands the need to allow shows to build an audience and let them grow creatively. They also aren't as quick to cancel a show and it's really rare to see them pull a show mid-way through its season. They might not decide for a while whether they want the show to come back, but you will get to see a full season at least 99% of the time. Whether the show manages to give itself a proper conclusion in case it isn't renewed though, that's up to the writers. But you will see the whole season as they intended it at least. So you might as well watch them.

For what it's worth - I watched about an hour and 20 minutes of the first episode of "The Strain" - I thought it was terrible. I was sitting there watching it and thinking why am I still sitting here watching this - never good to think that when watching a show. Didn't hold my interest at all, there's a worm component that I don't want to go into too much detail on but it's gross, and I don't know but maybe I was just a little sensitive to it since it started with a plane full of dead passengers and given all the recent plane events happening I wasn't feeling that. Plus some little bits of the storyline that just made me think that was "convenient" and thus stupid. It didn't make me interested in seeing any more than I saw... but that's me. If you're into vampire-ish creatures (not really what you'd typically call vampires, but that's I think how they are described) being considered like a virus, then it'll appeal to you; if that's not quite your thing then it won't.

Darkness, one of those shows you listed you can start watching without worrying about cancellation - "The Leftovers" was picked up for a second season so now you can watch that one without worrying about it not getting a chance to develop beyond the one season...

Thank you for letting me know that The Leftovers was picked up for a second season! :)

You're welcome!

If I hear anything about the other two I will try to remember to post it here too but I also post all the renewals and cancellations announced every week in the Pop Culture Roundup too in case you're ever wondering about whether new shows have been picked up or cancelled, so in case I do forget to mention anything about The Strain or The Lottery here then that news would at least be found in one of those posts - but I will try to remember to post it here too (so far I haven't seen anything about either in terms of renewal or cancellation so I would assume their networks are waiting until their seasons are done airing first).

Thanks TES! I will make sure to check both places! :)

I've watched two episodes of The Leftovers thus far. I like it but it hasn't grabbed me yet. I have a feeling it's one of those slow burner shows.

The Strain has been picked up for season 2 so after The Leftovers I will watch that. Still waiting to find out if The Lottery will be picked up.

I was coming over here to mention "The Strain" but good that you already saw that it was picked up. Like I said earlier, I couldn't sit through the first episode, but that was me. You may find it better than I did.

I still haven't heard anything on "The Lottery" yet either but there have been several announcements this week regarding cable shows specifically so its fate may be announced in the next week or two. Seems like most networks right now are sorting out what to do regarding their current summer programs as to what will get greenlit for next year or not, so I would imagine most summer shows will know their fate before the fall shows start up, which means mid-September at the latest, I would imagine.

Well, Darkness the verdict is in on "The Lottery" and that ticket wasn't a winner. It's been cancelled due to low ratings. Not sure if you want to bother watching the one season or not since I didn't see it so I can't say if it was worth the while, but at least now you know it's not going to be continuing so you can make your decision on it.

I really enjoyed the Lottery. It's a shame it was cancelled!