Every year brings several cancellations that rock the television world because they simply don’t make sense. From broadcast networks’ cancellations of numerous shows with millions of viewers to streaming services’ cancellations after one short season, some cancellations rarely feel earned. One of the most controversial cancellations this year came from Netflix, which swiftly opted not to renew a brand-new sci-fi series that was thriving by most metrics. From critical reception to viewership numbers and demographics, it seemed primed to run for numerous seasons.
Critics were the first to crown the series, which is currently rated 96% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Soon after it debuted, the show titled The Boroughs shot to number one and spent four weeks in the top ten on the streamer’s global chart. Executive produced by Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer, the series found a diverse audience because of its focus on older characters. A few weeks after its debut, Netflix announced that it was cancelling The Boroughs after one season.
Rumors started swirling around. It was speculated that Netflix canceled the series because The Duffer Brothers had decided to move to a rival studio. Before The Boroughs, the duo who created the streamer’s biggest show had signed a deal to develop TV shows and movies for Paramount. The decision was purely tactical, with the brothers saying they wanted to make films that would be released theatrically, and Netflix would never offer them this. While their relationship with the streamer remained cordial, it was alleged that nothing had ever been the same since. However, The Boroughs‘ cancellation came down to the math, Netflix said.
Why Did Netflix Cancel ‘The Boroughs?’
The streaming service claimed that The Boroughs was canceled for economic reasons. Each episode was estimated to cost $10 million to make, and the performance simply didn’t justify the price tag. Jinny Howe, Netflix‘s Head of UCAN Scripted Series, confirmed in a recent interview that the series was canceled for multiple reasons, but they were “really thoughtful and considerate” about the decision. She stressed that there “were a lot of different factors that weighed into that decision in particular,” but didn’t get into what those factors were. “We’re really, really proud of that show, we think they delivered a very entertaining cinematic experience for many, many people who loved it,” Howe added. The Boroughs had amassed over 20 million viewers in its first four weeks on the platform.
All episodes of The Boroughs‘ first and only season are available to stream on Netflix.
via Collider