Recently, there’s been an overload of news for the TV world. And to fans’ disappointment, the Netflix original Shadow and Bone is next on the chopping block.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse and those who discovered this fantasy realm via the TV show will be devestated to find Shadow and Bone has been cancelled after two seasons. Though its not just the fans who are in uproar, as the ensemble cast have been commemorating their time on the show: from Calaghan Skogman (who played the lone-wolf Matthais), Ben Barnes (who played The Darkling), Amita Suman (who took on Inej), as well as the author herself, Leigh Bardugo. Fans have gone as far as to begin petitions and advocate for Shadow and Bone’s cancellation to be turned over like another Netflix show Warrior Nun.
Created by filmmaker Eric Heisserer and Bardugo heavily involved in its creation, Shadow and Bone shone a light on emerging talent like Amita Suman and Jessie Mei Li. Following a fantastical world with some of the populace having magical powers named the Grisha, villainous power-hungry characters (namely Ben Barnes’ General Kirigan), as well as heists, mischief, and adventure, Shadow and Bone expanded upon the book universe it was based on.
Season two saw an introduction of fan-favourite characters Nikolai (Patrick Gibson) and Wylan (Jack Wolfe), which promised more adventure to come. With higher stakes, an established magical world, and a now-seasoned cast, Shadow and Bone has everything going for it, so the news of a complete cancellation has come as a shock to fans, especially considering hopes for a Six of Crows spin-off.
Deadline offered exclusive insight into the reasoning behind the show’s cancellation, as well as others like Glamorous, Agent Elvis, and more. “The decision was made a week after the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike and a month and a half after the end of the WGA work stoppage as networks and platforms continue to evaluate the impact from the strike-related seven-month production shutdown.”
It’s clear season two didn’t make the impact of its first. Though it spent five weeks in the Top 10 for English-language series, it failed to grab the number one spot. This factor coupled with the delays as a result of strike action likely played a part in the unfortunate cancellation.
It comes after a slew of cancellations of young adult focused shows like The Wilds and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in the past few years, and continues the misfortune of book adaptations of fantasy TV and films failing to get off the ground—take The Darkest Minds and Shadowhunters, which all failed to find its conclusion. It seems the investment and the exponential cost is never worth it in the eyes of the studios these days. And it begs the question, is any Netflix original safe?
For fans looking for their next Grishaverse fix, Leigh Bardugo has completed three book series within the universe, so delving into the world through reading may be the next best bet. And in the words of The Crows, no mourners, no Funerals for Netflix’s newest cut.
You can still view Shadow and Bone’s two seasons on Netflix.
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