A sensational new Netflix thriller has racked up millions of views within just its first 10 days of release. The show, titled The Boroughs, premiered on Thursday, May 21, to overwhelming praise from both fans and critics alike, earning an outstanding 97 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Second Season on the Horizon?
Fans of the debut season who are hungry for more will be heartened to learn that a second series could well be on the horizon. The Boroughs' inaugural eight-episode run clocked up an impressive 15 million views. Executive produced by Stranger Things masterminds The Duffer Brothers, the series centers on a group of retirees living in an apparently picture-perfect community in New Mexico, who gradually unearth a dark, supernatural secret lurking deep beneath their town.
Cast and Creators
Alfred Molina (Remarkably Bright Creatures) leads the cast as The Boroughs' reluctant newcomer Sam Cooper. He is joined by an exceptional ensemble that includes Alfre Woodard (Annabelle), Denis O'Hare (American Horror Story), Clarke Peters (His Dark Materials), and Geena Davis (Blink Twice). The series was created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews.
Global Success
Since its launch, The Boroughs has climbed to the top spot on Netflix's global chart and continues to hold its own at eighth place on the streamer's UK rankings nearly a month after its debut. It even surpassed the eagerly awaited second series of The Four Seasons in a remarkable achievement for an entirely original and untested new release. As the first installment ended with a chilling cliffhanger, fans could anticipate Netflix greenlighting series two at any moment.
Critical Acclaim
Viewers have been singing the show's praises, drawing favorable comparisons to classic 1980s films by Steven Spielberg. One glowing 10/10 review on IMDb enthused: "You can feel the influence of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Goonies, and especially Cocoon throughout the series. There are also strong Spielberg-inspired touches in the way the show mixes awe, suspense, humor, and human emotion."
The review continued: "Overall, The Boroughs is a charming, suspenseful, and heartfelt sci-fi adventure with memorable characters, excellent performances, a nostalgic soundtrack, and clever nods to some of cinema's greatest genre films. It reminds viewers that courage, friendship, and the desire for adventure never fade with age. For anyone who loves character-driven science fiction with a touch of classic Spielberg magic, The Boroughs is absolutely worth watching."
Another fan went even further, branding The Boroughs an "absolute masterpiece" that "might actually top" Stranger Things in terms of quality. "This show tells a meaningful tale about aging and grieving, all wrapped up in an irresistible adventure," they continued. "A must watch. I can't wait to see what they will do with the story, renew the show already!!"
The Boroughs is available to stream on Netflix.
