Netflix axes Duffer Brothers’ supernatural drama ‘The Boroughs’ despite solid viewership

Netflix has canceled the supernatural mystery series “The Boroughs” after just one season, ending a high-profile project executive produced by the Duffer Brothers of “Stranger Things” fame.

The decision comes less than a month after the show premiered on May 27, according to radionwtn.com, which reported that the streaming giant “pulling the plug on the high-profile project less than a month after its release.” The cancellation was abrupt given the prestige attached to the Duffer Brothers’ involvement. "pulling the plug on the high-profile project less than a month after its release." :: radionwtn.com

radionwtn.comNetflix cancels Duffer Brothers’ series ‘The Boroughs’ after one season

Yet the series appears to have found an audience. Deadline reported that “The Boroughs” ranked No. 35 in Netflix’s semi-annual “What We Watched” report for the first half of 2026, logging 23.1 million views from its premiere through June 30. It was the most recent ongoing scripted series to make the Top 40, though by the time the report was released it had already been canceled. "The Boroughs (executive produced by the Duffer Brothers) ranked No. 35 in Netflix’s semi-annual 'What We Watched' report for January-June 2026, logging 23.1 million views" :: Deadline

DeadlineCanceled Netflix series 'The Boroughs' ranks No. 35 in Netflix's viewership report with 23.1M views

The numbers suggest the show was far from a ratings failure, raising questions about Netflix’s cancellation criteria. The platform has increasingly focused on engagement relative to cost and completion rates, but has not publicly explained why “The Boroughs” was axed.

For now, fans of the Duffer Brothers’ brand of supernatural storytelling will have to look elsewhere. The cancellation marks a rare misstep for the duo, whose upcoming projects remain highly anticipated.