Netflix has made the decision to cancel The Boroughs after just one season. The news broke on June 17, 2026, less than a month after the sci-fi series premiered on the platform. This leaves fans with a tricky question: is it still worth investing your time in a show that will never get a proper ending?
The series, executive produced by the Duffer Brothers (creators of Stranger Things), featured a star-studded cast including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Bill Pullman, Denis O’Hare, and Clarke Peters. It followed a group of residents in a seemingly perfect retirement community who discover an otherworldly threat stealing their most precious resource: time.
Critical Reception Was Strong Despite the Axe
One of the most confusing parts of this cancellation is that the show was a hit with critics. It scored an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 74. Reviewers praised its unique premise and the talented cast.
Mashable called it a “fantastic sci-fi series” and a “spiritual successor to the best parts of Stranger Things.” NME gave it a four-star review, describing it as “just as intriguing as the Netflix hit’s early years.” Variety called it “heartbreaking, funny and endlessly fascinating.”
However, the general audience was more divided. The show’s user score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 79%. On Metacritic, many viewers felt the show started strong but lost its way.
“The first two episodes are genuinely impressive… the world-building is rich, confident, and surprisingly immersive. But once the series moves beyond its initial setup, it starts to run out of gas.” – A user review on IMDb
The Major Reason Behind the Cancellation
While critics loved the show, viewers didn’t stick around in large enough numbers. The series launched with 5.6 million views in its opening weekend and peaked at 9.5 million in its first week. But the following week, viewership plummeted to just 3.7 million.
This drop in ratings signaled a lack of long-term growth potential. For a show with a high price tag—featuring an ensemble cast of well-known actors and heavy visual effects—Netflix decided the numbers didn’t justify the cost.
The creators, Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, had a very specific three-season plan for the show. In fact, a writers’ room for season two had even opened prior to the cancellation. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to save the series.
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What This Means for Your Watchlist
If you were hoping for a complete story with a satisfying ending, you might be disappointed. The series ends with a cliffhanger and unanswered questions. The show was made to be a multi-season epic, and a single season doesn’t do that justice.
However, if you are looking for a fun, sci-fi adventure with a sense of nostalgia and a cast of legends having a great time, you may still find value in it.
Here is a breakdown to help you decide:
- For the cast: You get to watch an incredible group of veteran actors like Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, and Alfre Woodard deliver strong performances. Many viewers enjoyed watching them interact.
- For the mystery: The first few episodes are very engaging. The setup is intriguing and the world-building is interesting.
- For the nostalgia: If you loved ’80s-style adventure films like The Goonies or Cocoon, this show will scratch that itch.
- Beware of filler: Some critics felt that the story could have been told in a much shorter format. The Seattle Times review felt that “Everything is padded out to such a degree that… you’ve just repeatedly watched the story stalling for time.”
The Boroughs is streaming now on Netflix in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and India. It offers a fun concept and great actors, but be prepared for a story that was cut short before it could reach its planned conclusion.
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