Duffer Brothers
News Netflix Stranger Things The Boroughs TV

The brutal ‘real reason’ Netflix axed The Boroughs, and it was about the Duffer Brothers

Netflix were 'embarrassed' by what the brothers did

Avatar photo
Kieran Galpin
19th June 2026, 11:43
Add as preferred source on Google
Add as preferred source on Google

Though Netflix’s cancellation policies have always been sketchy at best and outright criminal at worst, The Boroughs’ axing came as a surprise to literally everyone.

Produced by the Duffer Brothers, the minds behind Stranger Things, The Boroughs is a science fiction show about a picturesque retirement community plagued by otherworldly threats. It stars names like Alfred Molina, Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, and Clarke Peters.

The show was actually pretty successful, finding its way into the number two spot within four days. By the end of the first week, it was at number one with 9.5 million views. The show was also a hit with critics, getting 97 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

But then the unthinkable happened: Netflix cancelled it. The official reasoning is money, but now people close to Netflix have alleged another reason.

Here’s the alleged real reason Netflix axed The Boroughs

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, two Netflix sources doubled down on the money aspect of the cancellation. The show was costing “materially higher” than the reported $10 million per episode, so that certainly played a part.

But, here’s the shady part: Netflix are also p*ssed at the Duffer Brothers, according to the sources.

After the Duffer Brothers signed a four-year deal with Paramount, the higher-ups at Netflix have reportedly been rubbed the wrong way. The relationship has been “tough” since Matt and Ross “embarrassed” the streamer by leaving.

Reacting to the speculation, one person wrote on Twitter: “If Netflix cancelled THE BOROUGHS to punish the Duffer Brothers for leaving for Paramount, that is astonishingly petty. Harvey Weinstein-level Hollywood petty. And Netflix punished the wrong people.”

“If that is the case, the f*ck? Sh*t like that will come back to bite them hard in the ass over at Netflix,” another said.

Netflix denied the characterisation to The Hollywood Reporter, but the streamer has been approached for comment.

For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page.

Featured image credit: Netflix and Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock