Geena Davis Reacts to Netflix Cancelling Duffer Bros’ Sci-Fi Series ‘The Boroughs’

Netflix’s decision to cancel The Boroughs has taken both fans and the cast by surprise, especially considering the strong performance of the sci-fi series shortly after its debut. The show quickly ascended the streaming charts in its initial weeks but ultimately was not renewed for a second season.

Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, the minds behind Stranger Things, the series was part of their ongoing collaboration with Netflix, which has been a significant success story for the platform. Stranger Things has become a global phenomenon, reportedly generating over $1 billion in value during its run. Although the Duffers have shifted their primary focus to Paramount for future theatrical projects, they remained engaged with Netflix through their production company, Upside Down Pictures, with The Boroughs being one of their latest endeavors.

Despite its promising start, Netflix opted to end the show after just one season. This decision was unexpected given the series’ strong viewership, which saw it premiere at number two on Netflix’s English-language TV chart with 5.6 million views. In its second week, it climbed to number one with 9.5 million views, yet Netflix chose not to pursue further episodes.

The cast features Geena Davis as Renee, alongside Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, Denis O’Hare, and Bill Pullman. The narrative unfolds in what seems to be a tranquil retirement community, concealing a perilous secret. A group of unlikely residents must unite to confront an unknown supernatural threat.

Geena Davis shared her thoughts on the cancellation during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She noted that the cast was informed before the public announcement and expressed disappointment over the decision. She remarked, “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 up while it’s still in the top 10.”

Davis also clarified that the creators had designed the first season as a complete story rather than one filled with cliffhangers. According to her, they were advised to create a self-contained season in case the show did not continue. She stated, “We didn’t expect that. But the creators told us from the beginning that the series was not going to have a cliffhanger ending… And we really did.”

Further reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicated that production costs significantly influenced Netflix’s decision, with the series costing around $10 million per episode, which is notably high for a show that hasn’t secured a long-term renewal.

Davis also proposed a potential avenue for continuing the project in a different format. She suggested transforming it into an anthology series featuring the same cast and creative team but with new stories each season. She expressed, “I suggested that the creators write another series, a completely different story with the exact same actors and writers and crew, and we just do it again like an anthology series, right?”

For the time being, The Boroughs stands as a one-season series on Netflix. While its cancellation has sparked discussions about how streaming platforms assess success, both the creators and cast remain open to future collaborations, even if the story evolves in a different format.

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