Netflix subscribers have been left 'confused' as a critically acclaimed sci-fi series was cancelled just two weeks after premiering. The series, titled The Boroughs, came from the minds of the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers.
It has already been a big year for the streaming giant in terms of their content. This year alone has seen them release new seasons of The Night Agent, XO Kitty, One Piece and Bridgerton to the delight of their respective fans. Additionally, the likes of His and Hers, Man on Fire and Nemesis have all been shown that they are still on top of the game in terms of their original content. Not to mention that Harlan Coben's Run Away and I Will Find You have been two more successful adaptations of the author's work.
However, it is hard to argue that Netflix may have peaked the year early by releasing the final episode of Stranger Things on New Year's Day. The series is undoubtedly the streamer's biggest ever scripted series, with Squid Game the only other show offering it a run for its money. Fans were divided on the final season, with some hoping that more characters would meet their end due to the villains in the Upside Down not really doing anything of note. The Stranger Things fandom was buzzing to see just what its creators the Duffer brothers would do next.
It turned out that they did not have to wait too long, with last month marking the release of their first post-Stranger Things series. Titled The Boroughs, the Duffers turned their attention to an older demographic. Its plot synopsis reads: 'In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a grieving newcomer's monstrous encounter inspires him to join a misfit crew of unlikely heroes who uncover a dark secret that proves their 'golden years' are more dangerous, and they are more formidable, than anyone expects.'
The stacked cast featured the likes of screen veterans Spider-Man 2's Alfred Molina, Thelma and Louise's Geena Davis, Salem's Lot's Alfre Woodard, American Horror Story's Denis O'Hare, The Wire's Clarke Peter and Independence Day's Bill Pullman. If all that was not enough, filling out the rest of the cast was The Hunger Games' Jena Malone, Station 19's Carlos Miranda, Under the Banner of Heaven's Seth Numrich, Renegade Nell's Alice Kremelberg, Loki's Rafael Casal, ET's Dee Wallace, Young Sheldon's Ed Begley Jr. and Malcolm in the Middle's Jane Kaczmarek.
With critics giving it a staggering score of 97 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, it looked like Netflix had another hit on their hands. Sadly, they have decided to pull the plug on The Boroughs after just one season. The writers of the show had planned for a three-season arc, and a Season 2 writers' room had even opened prior to the cancellation. Netflix has confirmed the news to American outlets.
Many fans of the series rushed to X, previously known as Twitter, following the news to question Netflix's strategy of cancelling programmes before they have the chance to grow and find their audience. @bigmonkeong said: 'imagine making the biggest netflix show ever and they immediately cancel your next show after 1 season.' @maliathedoll added: 'Such a sad case I really liked this @netflix. please stop doing this to good shows… BRING BACK THE BOROUGHS!!'
@punkrokk65 wrote: 'Hey @netflix why on earth would you cancel a potential season 2-3 of 'the Burroughs'… That was an awesome show and it debuted with high numbers and has good reviews!! It's an awesome series!!' @BlakeRoller commented: 'Just started watching #TheBorough on @netflix and love it! How can they cancel it so soon? Cliff hanger and multiple season arc are now all messed up.'
