The Boroughs: There won't be a season 2 – Netflix series from the creators of Stranger Things canceled

That was quick: "The Boroughs" has been canceled. There won't be a second season of the series starring Alfred Molina and Geena Davis. And it hasn't even been a month since the eight episodes of Season 1 were released on Netflix. But what led to the sudden cancellation of the mystery series, on which "Stranger Things" creators Matt and Ross Duffer served as executive producers? In an exclusive report, The Hollywood Reporter got to the bottom of the matter.

For one thing, the industry publication cites high production costs as a problematic factor, citing unnamed sources. The figure mentioned is $10 million per episode, and the series may have actually cost even more. "The Boroughs" is certainly a hit with audiences, but apparently not successful enough to justify the costs from Netflix's perspective.

Why was The Boroughs canceled after just one season?

Furthermore, according to one source, it could have something to do with the Duffer brothers. With their horror series "Stranger Things," they gave the streaming service Netflix a massive hit. But now the two have signed a four-year deal with Paramount. According to a source cited by The Hollywood Reporter, this reportedly didn't go over very well at Netflix. However, the industry publication also emphasizes that a source close to Netflix disputes this – claiming the decision was purely business-related. In addition, The Hollywood Reporter also cites a source close to the Duffer brothers who says that the duo still has a good relationship with Netflix and that several projects are still in development there.

Residents of a seemingly perfect retirement community

In any case, it's a shame for fans of the series that it won't be continuing. Especially since a revival of the series on another network is unlikely, as The Hollywood Reporter also reports, citing unnamed sources. Yet "The Boroughs" was well-received not only by audiences but also by critics. The series has a 97 percent approval rating on the film review site Rotten Tomatoes. That's quite an achievement! The mysterious series centers on the residents of a seemingly perfect retirement community. When the grieving widower Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) joins the community, he soon makes a strange discovery. Alongside a few fellow residents, he uncovers a dark, dangerous secret.

Molina has played numerous roles over the course of his decades-long career. Many know him from two major franchises: "Indiana Jones" and "Spider-Man." As early as 1981, he appeared in Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" alongside "Indiana Jones" star Harrison Ford. He entered the Marvel superhero universe in 2004 with "Spider-Man 2." There, alongside Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco, he played the villain Dr. Otto Octavius, alias Doctor Octopus, who is one of Spider-Man's most famous adversaries in the original comics.

Who else is part of the cast of The Boroughs alongside Molina?

In addition to Alfred Molina as the protagonist Sam Cooper, "The Boroughs" boasts a number of other high-profile actors. The cast also includes Geena Davis as Renee, Bill Pullman as Jack, Alfre Woodard as Judy, Clarke Peters as Art, and Denis O'Hare as Wally. Alongside the Duffer brothers, Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews serve as executive producers. The latter two are the series' creators and also serve as showrunners. Speaking about Sam Cooper, played by Molina, Addiss and Matthews say on Netflix's Tudum page:

"He recently lost his wife, and he's trying to figure out what to do with the time he has left, which is a question we all face, no matter our age. It's just the stakes get higher the more years you have under your belt."

An interesting premise. What a shame that it will be limited to just one season.