With a cast that included Alfred Molina, Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, and Clarke Peters, just to name a few, expectations for The Boroughs ran high. And, for a while, the sci-fi show produced by the Duffer Brothers seemed to be riding high on Netflix’s Top 10. However, that has apparently changed, and, in an uncharacteristically quick move, the streamer has decided it will not be renewing the show for a season two, barely a month after its debut.
Deadline broke the news, which came as a bit of a shock considering a writers’ room was already starting to break season two in hopes of a renewal. However, the numbers don’t lie. According to the trade, the show got only about 5.6 million views in its first weekend, which then almost doubled to 9.5 million over the rest of the week. That was a strong start, but it then plummeted to 3.7 million views in its second week, and one can assume it’s only been dropping since. As of Tuesday evening, it was barely holding on to the top 10, ranking at number 10.
However, if the show didn’t have so many big stars or so many special effects, maybe it would’ve been given a second season. Alas, it does have those stars and did have lots of effects, making it expensive and, apparently, not worth the renewal.
The Boroughs followed a group of seniors in a mysterious retirement community who get caught up in a wild story that involves eternal life, monsters, secret tunnels, and more. Basically, it had an incredible premise with an even better cast bringing it to life. When do you ever get to see Alfred Molina as a leading man? Never!
However, while there are some big ups, downs, and cliffhangers, the series did feel a little underwritten by the end, leaving too much unexplained or too vague to truly satisfy. Ultimately, it’s not a bad binge, but not a great one either, even though it’s filled with Indiana Jones and E.T. references as well as a Back to the Future-inspired score.
Did you watch The Boroughs yet? If not, does its cancellation make you not want to watch it now? Let us know below.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
