The science fiction series "The Boroughs" won't get a second chance at Netflix. As reported by the US trade publication "Deadline", the streaming service has decided against a continuation - it's over after just one season. The series was produced in part by the Duffer Brothers, the creators of the global hit "Stranger Things".
The cancellation comes as quite a surprise. According to "Deadline", a renewal had already been discussed internally, and a so-called writers room for a second season was reportedly already set up - a standard step for high-profile series. One report suggested that at one point, shooting a second and third season back-to-back was being considered.
Good reviews, weak ratings
But then came the series premiere last May. "The Boroughs", conceived by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, received positive reviews but fell short of expectations in viewership numbers. On its opening weekend, the series described as "Stranger Things with seniors" reached a relatively modest 5.6 million views, according to "Deadline".
In the first full week, the number climbed to 9.5 million, but then plummeted to 3.7 million the following week. For the streaming service, this was a signal that the series would be unlikely to gain significant viewership after the fact - a factor that carries considerable weight in renewal decisions.
High costs, tired audience
"Deadline" speaks of a possible saturation effect: "The Boroughs" was already the second supernatural series produced by the Duffers this year, following "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen". After the emotional "Stranger Things" finale, a certain audience fatigue is conceivable. "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen", classified by Netflix as a miniseries, will also not be continued.
The elaborate production and the prominently cast ensemble of "The Boroughs" - including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O'Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman - reportedly drove up costs as well.
With the cancellation of "The Boroughs", the streaming service is left with only a single series from the Duffer Brothers - and that's roughly a month and a half after the duo left Netflix for a lucrative deal with Paramount. That series is the animated production "Stranger Things: Tales from '85".
"The Boroughs": What it's about
"The Boroughs" is set in a seemingly idyllic senior living community. For newcomer Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), however, the place feels more like a prison from the very first moment. When he witnesses an eerie encounter at night, the story takes a dark turn: something threatening is hidden behind the facility's well-maintained facade. The administrators dismiss Sam's observations as the delusions of a confused old man - but he finds support in a group of like-minded, albeit equally aging, rebels.
