The Duffer Brothers’ new sci-fi series, The Boroughs, is struggling to reach the top spot on the Netflix charts after a weak debut. It is the Duffer Brothers’ third project of the year and had much hype due to its similarities to Stranger Things. Like the hit show, the series also revolves around strange supernatural events happening in a quiet and sleepy town.

While the fate of the next season hangs by a thread, The Boroughs remains with  passable viewership ratings.

Released on May 21, 2026, The Boroughs has successfully climbed to the second spot on Netflix charts, with only Nemesis ahead of it, as per the streaming platform. However, its viewership numbers suggest a slower pace. In its first week, the series had 35.3 million hours of views and amassed 5.6 million views globally.

This comes as a surprise considering its strong reception with a Certified Fresh 96% score, while audiences gave a decent 81% rating. While The Boroughs may have made it to the second spot, the show will need strong numbers to be a hit on the streaming platform. And these numbers will be crucial for the Duffer brothers and the show creators, who have plans for multiple seasons.

The streaming platform has yet to confirm the following seasons of the show. But season 2 of the show is reportedly in development. Moreover, earlier, show co-creator Jeffrey Addiss told IGN that they have plans for three seasons, but admitted that it will all depend on the viewership of the show.

David Harbour Reflects on the “Magical Experience” of 'Stranger Things' and His Bond With the Young Cast

While the first week’s viewership may not have been particularly impressive, there is still hope for Week 2, especially considering the appreciation the series has received from notable names such as Stephen King.

For a sci-fi series to receive approval from none other than Stephen King is incredible. And that is exactly what The Boroughs managed to achieve ahead of its Netflix debut. Taking to social media, the King of Horror praised the show and even urged people to binge-watch it.

“THE BOROUGHS (Netflix): An absolute delight. Bonus: I believe, because it's Netflix, you can watch all the episodes. It's actually worth it,” he wrote.

Co-creator Jeffrey Addiss reciprocated the love on social media, expressing gratitude for the shoutout. He also took the opportunity to share his admiration for Stephen King’s books. While the series has received strong critical praise, it will still need to surpass Netflix’s top-performing shows and boost viewership to claim the top spot and secure future installments.

“Sent a Load of Text” - ‘Stranger Things’ Cast Jokes About Being Ignored by the Duffer Brothers

Did you like The Boroughs? Let us know in the comments.