Less than a month after its premiere, Netflix has canceled The Boroughs, bringing the highly anticipated science-fiction drama to an end after just one season.

The decision comes as a surprise given the high-profile talent attached to the project. While the series was executive-produced by Matt and Ross Duffer through their Upside Down Pictures banner, The Boroughs was created, written, and showrun by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, the duo behind The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Set in a retirement community in the New Mexico desert, the series followed Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), a grieving newcomer who discovers that something sinister is lurking beneath the neighborhood’s peaceful facade. Joined by a group of fellow residents, he sets out to uncover the truth behind a growing mystery before it is too late.

The show featured a veteran ensemble cast that included Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman. Its blend of science fiction, mystery, and older protagonists drew comparisons to the 1985 classic Cocoon.

Although Netflix has not publicly commented on the reason behind the cancellation, industry reports suggest the show’s high production costs may have been a factor. Despite appearing in Netflix’s weekly Top 10 rankings since its May 21 debut, The Boroughs never achieved the cultural impact of the streamer’s biggest genre hits.

The cancellation also comes during a busy period for the Duffer brothers. Following the conclusion of Stranger Things in 2025, the pair have continued expanding their work through Upside Down Pictures, including executive-producing Netflix’s limited series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. They have also entered an exclusive four-year partnership with Paramount to develop film, television, and streaming projects.

Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer

Paramount has already scheduled an untitled event film from the brothers for theatrical release on November 3, 2028. Matt and Ross Duffer are set to write and direct the project, though details remain under wraps.

While The Boroughs managed to secure a place in Netflix’s weekly Top 10 rankings, its run has come to an unexpectedly early end. The cancellation closes the chapter on one of the latest projects associated with the Duffer brothers as they continue to build new ventures beyond the flagship series that made them household names.