Netflix Cancels Duffer Brothers’ 'The Boroughs' After Just One Season

Published 06/18/2026, 8:19 AM PDT

Credits: The Boroughs / @DVDfever via X / Production House: Upside Down Pictures/ Distribution: Netflix

Netflix has decided not to move forward with further seasons of The Boroughs after just season 1. Less than a month has passed since the show's premiere. The Boroughs was eagerly awaited because it was Matt and Ross Duffer's debut series following the classic Stranger Things on Netflix. The Boroughs took Stranger Things' DNA and put old people at the center, and cooked up a sci-fi tale similar to that of Hawkins.

But it seems that Netflix is not very keen on renewing the show for a second season.

Netflix pulls the shutters down for The Boroughs season 2

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For The Boroughs, it is officially the end of the road just when it seemed that its journey had taken off. Netflix has decided not to proceed with a second season of the Duffer Brothers-produced science fiction series, despite early indications of success, as per Deadline. 

It was previously reported that a writers' room had been open for season 2. According to the Hollywood trade, Netflix was initially rather enthusiastic about the show's future, and there had even been early talks of filming seasons 2 and 3 consecutively.

All the primary plotlines were wrapped up by the end of the first season, except for the main character glitching in the mirror, which was a clever callback to Stranger Things season 1, where it was Will glitching towards the end. But was it just an homage to Duffer Brothers’ previous show, or was it there to set up a second season? The mystery remains. What is, however, clear as day, is that The Boroughs will not be making a comeback to our screens, as Deadline first revealed on Wednesday.   

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The cancellation of the show is not just due to the lack of storylines to follow in the new season.

The possible reasons for The Boroughs' cancellation

Unfortunately, based on the global Top 10 data analyzed by What's On Netflix, there have been clear indications that Netflix's bet on Duffer Brothers' The Borough did not pay off the way the streamer would have wanted. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, the series' viewership was insufficient for a costly production with a sizable ensemble cast and intricate special effects.

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Furthermore, for most Netflix series, that sharp decline in Week 3 is the final straw. It implies that word-of-mouth was insufficient to sustain it past its initial premiere window and indicates a lack of long-tail growth. The same happened with The Boroughs. Netflix requires a show to have longevity when it costs so much because of elaborate effects and a seasoned cast. Simply put, The Boroughs was unable to locate the necessary audience to support the budget. All this might have led the streaming giant to pull the plug on the show.

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Do you agree with Netflix’s decision to cancel The Boroughs after just one season? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

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Harshit Kumar

461 articles

With nearly two years of experience in content writing, primarily in sports, Harshit has now ventured into the alluring alleys of Hollywood at NetflixJunkie. A true pop-culture fanatic and a certified cheat code for movie trivia night, he brings infectious enthusiasm to every conversation. He has strong opinions about everything from uplifting superhero spectacles to gripping psychological crime dramas, and he is never shy about backing them up.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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