Netflix has canceled The Boroughs despite its plans to continue the sci-fi series for three seasons.
Netflix has canceled The Boroughs, marking another disappointing cancellation for fans who invested their money in the sci-fi series. The decision came despite the show boasting strong early viewing numbers and critical acclaim, as well as creators Jeffrey Ades and Will Matthews publicly announcing their vision for three seasons.According to Forbes, the cancellation is particularly notable given that the writer’s room for Season 2 was already up and running at the time the decision was made.
What “The Boroughs” was about.
The series follows retirees as they investigate a monster infestation in their senior living community. Featuring an ensemble cast including Alfre Woodard, Alfred Molina and Geena Davis, the show mixed comedy, adventure and occasional horror elements into what many described as a compelling watch.
Viewing numbers decided its fate
Despite the strong initial reception, the show’s viewership declined sharply between the first and second weeks. The series actually had 9.5 million views in its first week, but then dropped to 3.7 million views in the second week, which apparently wasn’t enough to satisfy the platform.
Alfre Woodard and Alfred Molina starred as retirees investigating mysterious events in their senior living community in “The Boroughs.”
The cancellation is part of the metrics-driven success of the streaming service, which has been criticized for focusing on cost-to-view ratio and completion rates over critical reception and cultural impact.
Part of the general trend
The Boroughs is one of a number of sci-fi and drama series left unfinished on the platform, including “Altered Carbon” and “1899,” which were produced by “Dark” producer/creators Wakefield Smith and Brian King.
