Canceled Netflix drama The Boroughs got a consolation prize — it was the most recent ongoing scripted series release to make the Top 40 of Netflix’s semi-annual “What We Watched” viewership report released Thursday that spans January-June 2026.
The supernatural series, executive produced by Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers, logged 23.1 million views from its premiere May 27 until June 30 to rank at No. 35. All renewable shows above it came out earlier, collecting views over longer periods of time. (This does not apply to limited series, as newcomers I Will Find You and The Witness shot up to No. 3 and No. 22, respectively, despite their June premiere dates.)
For comparison, Season 2 of The Four Seasons, released at virtually the same time, May 28, finished No. 62 with 15.8M views through end of June. Season 2 of Running Point, which debuted a month earlier, on April 23, was at No. 44 with 21.1M. Both shows have been renewed for third seasons. Both are comedies, which are inherently less expensive than dramas and thus enjoy more leeway with renewal decisions.
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Meanwhile, as Deadline has noted, the Stranger Things-esque The Boroughs, starring Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters and Bill Pullman, carries a big price tag with its A-list cast and elaborate special effects, making for a higher renewal viewership threshold that the show had to hit. (Like the renewed comedies, The Boroughs got strong reviews, which helps to a degree.)
“There’s so many factors that go into when we ultimately decide that we’re not going to be able to bring a show back; it’s something we’re really thoughtful and considerate about,” Netflix’s Head of UCAN Scripted Series Jinny Howe told Deadline about The Boroughs cancellation last week. “I know you know that there were a lot of different factors that weighed into that decision in particular. We’re really, really proud of that show, we think they delivered a very entertaining cinematic experience for many, many people who loved it.”
