Netflix Reportedly Canceled ‘The Boroughs’ to Send a Message After the Duffer Brothers’ Humiliating Exit

Netflix’s decision to cancel “The Boroughs” has raised questions across Hollywood, especially because the sci-fi series was still performing well on streaming charts. According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, the cancellation may have been about more than just numbers, with sources claiming Netflix executives were unhappy with the Duffer Brothers’ decision to leave the company for Paramount.

“The Boroughs” arrived on Netflix with a lot of attention behind it. The series was produced by Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of “Stranger Things,” and featured a strong cast including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman. The show was created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews.

Despite being canceled after one season, the series appeared to connect with viewers. The Hollywood Reporter noted that “The Boroughs” ranked highly on Netflix’s weekly charts after release. It reached No. 2 on Netflix’s English-language TV chart during its first four days with 5.6 million views, then moved to No. 1 the following week with 9.5 million views.

Nielsen’s streaming data also showed strong interest, with the series becoming one of the most-watched shows during its debut week. Critics also responded positively, with the show earning strong ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, sources speaking to The Hollywood Reporter claim the cancellation was influenced by tensions between Netflix and the Duffer Brothers after the creators left the streamer for a major deal with Paramount.

One source told THR that Netflix executives felt the Duffers had embarrassed the company by moving their future projects elsewhere. The source described the relationship between the two sides as being “tough” after the departure.

A source close to Netflix pushed back against that idea, saying the cancellation was simply a business decision based on performance and costs. Netflix has traditionally compared a show’s audience numbers against its production budget when deciding whether to continue a series.

“The Boroughs” was reportedly expensive to make, with one THR source saying the show cost around $10 million per episode. Another source claimed the actual cost was even higher. While the series had strong viewership, it reportedly did not reach the level needed to justify the price.

Still, the timing of the cancellation created speculation. Netflix announced the decision shortly after the company learned the Duffer Brothers would continue their careers at Paramount under a new four-year deal. The Hollywood Reporter’s sources suggested that canceling “The Boroughs” may have been a way for Netflix to show that leaving the company would have consequences.

The cancellation also came shortly before Netflix had to decide whether to extend the contracts of the show’s cast. The streamer chose not to continue those options, effectively ending the possibility of a second season.

According to multiple sources cited by THR, a revival is unlikely because Netflix owns the series completely and would not be expected to sell it to a competitor, especially Paramount.

A source close to the Duffer Brothers said the creators still have a positive relationship with Netflix and continue to have multiple projects in development with the company.

While Netflix has denied that the decision was personal, the situation has become another example of the complicated relationships between major studios, creators, and streaming platforms. For “The Boroughs,” strong audience numbers were not enough to save the show from behind-the-scenes business decisions.

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