Why Was ‘The Boroughs’ Cancelled? Inside Netflix’s Shocking Cancellation Decision
The Duffer Brothers' post-'Stranger Things' adult series was shockingly dismissed by Netflix after just one season.
Kass
Unfortunately, cancellations have become the norm in television. Over the past year alone, dozens of beloved broadcast and streaming TV series have been gutted by their respective networks. And now, Netflix has come in swinging with a shocking dismissal of the Duffer Brothers’ latest show, The Boroughs — a post-Stranger Things adult series that was supposed to extend past the first season. So, what exactly happened? Why was the show abruptly cancelled?
During a previous interview with IGN, showrunner Jeffrey Addiss pointed out their plan to continue for at least three seasons.
“We have a very specific three-season plan, and we think we know the last shot of the last scene of the last episode,” Addiss said in May 2026. “How we get there might change a little, but we have the answers to all the questions, and a plan of how and when to answer those. We wanted season 1 to feel emotionally complete, but leave some questions unanswered. We really wanted [you] to feel like you got a full story, in case that’s all we get. If it’s a success, we’d like to tell you a bit more about what’s going on.”
Hollywood Life has the latest information on why The Boroughs was cancelled below.
The Boroughs. (L to R) Denis O’Hare as Wally, Alfre Woodard as Judy, Alfred Molina as Sam, Clarke Peters as Art in The Boroughs. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026
Was The Boroughs Supposed to Get a Season 2?
Yes. As previously noted, it definitely sounds like The Boroughs was intended to last more than one season, according to the showrunners and creators.
According to Deadline, there were talks to renew the show and bring back the main cast. A season 2 writers’ room had also been created, and sources said that an idea to film seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back was a possibility, the outlet reported.
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix © 2026
Why Was The Boroughs Cancelled by Netflix?
Netflix hasn’t publicly explained the reason behind The Boroughs‘ cancellation. But, as with most TV series’ failures, viewership tends to be the driving force.
Per Deadline, The Boroughs raked in around 9.5 million views during its first week on the streaming platform. However, views plummeted to 3.7 million the following week, which Netflix evidently thought was too low to justify another season. Compared to Stranger Things, the ratings for The Boroughs didn’t meet expectations.
Who Was in The Boroughs Cast?
The main stars of The Boroughs were Hollywood veterans Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters and Bill Pullman.
