Netflix has canceled The Boroughs, the Duffer Brothers sci-fi series, just weeks after its May 21 debut. Deadline was first to report the news, with The Hollywood Reporter and Variety confirming shortly after.
What is ‘The Boroughs’ about?
The series followed Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), a grieving newcomer who moves into a retirement community and uncovers a supernatural threat preying on residents. The ensemble cast included Alfre Woodard, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Bill Pullman and Jena Malone. The show was created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and executive produced by Matt and Ross Duffer.
Why was ‘The Boroughs’ canceled?
It seems that cancellation comes down to budget versus viewership. A source told THR that the cost of producing a sci-fi series with elaborate visual effects was a key factor, as the numbers the show pulled simply didn’t justify its price tag. Per Variety, the series drew nearly 19 million views in its first 18 days, but a steep drop-off in Week 3 signaled a lack of long-tail growth.
The Duffer Brothers’ move to Paramount has also been noted as part of the broader context, per THR, though The Boroughs would not have followed them there.
The cancellation is particularly striking given that, as Deadline noted, a Season 2 writers’ room had already been opened and there had even been preliminary discussions about filming Seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back.
What did the creators plan for Season 2?
Creator Jeffrey Addiss told Entertainment Weekly that the show had “a three-season plan with ideas about spinoffs after that,” per TVLine. The Season 1 finale was designed to offer emotional closure while leaving the door open, with Addiss noting that the Duffer Brothers had advised them to “tell a complete story” while remaining open to the future.
With The Boroughs now canceled, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 remains the only active Duffer-linked Netflix project.
Featured image photo credit: Courtesy of Netflix
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