Why was The Boroughs cancelled at Netflix?

Despite being liked by audiences and critics, The Boroughs has been cancelled by Netflix after one season.

Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, the sci-fi series follows an unlikely crew of heroes in a retirement community who uncover an otherworldly threat.

The show is executive produced by Stranger Things creators The Duffer Brothers. Alfred Molina leads the show’s cast, alongside Alfre Woodard, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Carlos Miranda and Jena Malone.

All eight episodes of The Boroughs were released on May 21, 2026.

Why did Netflix cancel The Boroughs?

Wally (Denis O’Hare), Sam (Alfred Molina) and Judy (Alfre Woodard) in ‘The Boroughs’. CREDIT: Netflix

Netflix hasn’t given a reason for the show’s cancellation, but reports suggest it was predominantly driven by the show’s high budget.

According to sources at The Hollywood Reporter, each episode of The Boroughs cost $10 million (£7.5 million) to make. While the show did well, with over 20 million views within its first month, it apparently wasn’t enough to justify its high production budget.

However, another factor might be at play. According to the publication, The Duffer Brothers’ decision to leave Netflix in favour of a four-year deal with Paramount apparently had some impact on the show’s cancellation. A source close to Netflix, however, has denied this.

What have the cast said about the show’s end?

Geena Davis said she, along with the rest of the cast, were all “terribly disappointed” by the show’s cancellation.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Davis said: “Fortunately, the creators, who became our dear, dear friends, were able to tell us before the news came out, and we’re all terribly disappointed.

“Honestly, I don’t know what happened. I think it’s probably rare for a show to not get picked up and to have it announced that it’s not being picked while it’s still in the top 10.”

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