The Duffer brothers’ science fiction series “The Boroughs” has been canceled by Netflix after one season.
The show was executive produced by the creators of “Stranger Things” and began airing in May 2026, immediately after that show’s final season. “The Boroughs” stars Alfred Molina and Alfre Woodard and follows a group of unlikely heroes in a retirement community who must “come together to stop earthly threats from stealing what they don’t have…time,” according to the logline.
The series, created by Jeffrey Addis and Will Matthews, was affectionately compared to “Stranger Things,” but it was about old people. Also starring Denis O’Hare, Clark Peters, Carlos Miranda, Jena Malone, Seth Numrich, Alice Kremelberg, and Geena Davis.
The show’s writers were already making plans for season 3, and the writers’ room for season 2 had been opened before the show’s cancellation (it’s not uncommon for high-profile series to begin writing while waiting for renewal).
Asked about the possibility of a second season in May, Molina told Variety, “I would love to continue it. I would love for it to continue. … Who knows? Television is fickle, but it also presents great opportunities. We have a great cast. We have a great premise. The set is all set. We want to do more.”
“The Boroughs” attracted a large audience on Netflix, racking up nearly 19 million views in its first 18 days on the streaming service. But the sci-fi show has the special effects needed to sell the paranormal threat, as well as a hefty price tag, which could heavily influence the decision to renew or cancel the series.
Netflix recently renewed the Stranger Things spinoff Tales from ’85 for a second season, as well as freshmen series such as Little House on the Prairie, The Hunting Wives, and Lian.
Deadline broke the news.
