The costs of an adaptation and how the audience determines the life of a series like Sombra y Hueso

In the modern world of television series, it’s not uncommon for an obvious hit to die prematurely. Such is the case with Shadows and Bones, the Netflix series based on the acclaimed literary saga ‘Grishaverse’ by Leigh Bardugo. It premiered its first season in April 2021 and promises to be the jewel in Netflix’s crown, followed by a second in March 2023, with a third season and a race on the way. However, to the surprise and dismay of fans, the platform announced its cancellation on November 15, 2023.

The reasons behind the curtain

Shadows and Bones’ closure comes after the SAG-AFTRA strike, leaving the series on Netflix’s list of five canceled shows. Although he had two seasons and ended the second with a cliffhanger that left fans in doubt, the fan’s voice on social media did not seem to be enough to reverse this decision. Apr 12, 2024 By Ajay Aravind This news update reveals a harsh but common reality: many series are canceled before they can fully spread their wings.

Shadow and Bone production wasn’t exactly cheap. The first season had an estimated budget of $3 to $5 million per episode, a figure that increased significantly in the second season with a total budget of approximately $88 million. These costs, compounded by production delays due to a writers’ and actors’ strike, may have played a significant role in Netflix’s decision not to renew the series.

Legacy of Shadows and Bones and a vision for the Nightmare series

Although the series got off to a strong start, ranking second on the most-watched original content list and staying in the top ten for its first five weeks, viewership dropped significantly after the second week of its second season. This decline in ratings, coupled with the controversial decision to deviate from the books’ source material, likely contributed to their cancellation.

While Shadow and Bone may be at an end, the fans’ fight for a new season or the Six of Crows lives on. However, in the current streaming platform landscape, where even series based on established IPs are at risk of cancellation, as in the case of Netflix’s The Witcher, fantasy series face an uncertain future and, often, a short one. Despite this, some successes, such as Game of Thrones, House of Dragons, show that there is still hope for the genre.

Other series have been canceled by Netflix

Aside from Shadows and Bones, Netflix is ​​known for its tendency to cancel series that still seem to have potential. One of the most notable victims is The OA, a series that mixed science fiction with mystery and was abruptly canceled after its second season, leaving fans with an unresolved cliffhanger. Another example is Sense8, praised for its uniqueness and relatable narrative, which was canceled after two seasons, even though fans pushed for a final episode that would have closed the story more satisfyingly.

These cancellations are part of a broader strategy by Netflix, which often rates series not only on their viewership but also on their ability to attract new subscriptions, a model that has sparked controversy and debate about the sustainability of the decisions. These cancellations reflect a pattern that calls into question the existence and future of many original productions in the streaming era.