The Untold Story of Shadow and Bone: Why the Popular Series Was Canceled

The Myth of Viewer Support

In November 2023, Netflix announced the shocking cancellation of its fantasy book-to-TV adaptation, Shadow and Bone. The announcement sparked significant backlash, raising questions about the show's actual viewership. Shadow and Bone, based on the young adult fantasy series by Leigh Bardugo, streamed for two seasons on Netflix, drawing in a dedicated and passionate fanbase. However, the fanbase's support may not accurately reflect the series' true viewership numbers.

The Crows in formation

Netflix is often scrutinized for its swift cancellation of series, especially those with only one or two seasons. Despite the show's devoted fanbase, the reality is that specific statistics must be met for Netflix to sustain a series. Even with an opinionated fanbase, if the viewership numbers fall short, the show is at risk of being canceled. This unfortunate reality highlights the challenge faced by shows that, despite their quality, fail to meet the necessary viewership criteria.

Jessie Mei Li as Alina wearing her crown in Shadow and Bone season 2 episode 8

The Numbers Behind the Decision

When examining the viewership numbers, it becomes evident that Shadow and Bone did not meet Netflix's expectations during its second season. Premiering in March 2023, the series ranked 26th in the most-watched television series and movies during the first six months of the year. While 26th place may not seem low given the multitude of series released by Netflix annually, other crucial factors come into play.

Shocked Royal in Shadow and Bone Season 2

For Netflix to justify retaining a series, the conclusion of Shadow and Bone's second season needed to demonstrate its significant value to the streaming service. Despite its reasonable performance, the series did not meet Netflix's requirements for sustaining growth and avoiding a decrease in viewership. This led to the difficult decision to cancel the series despite its popularity among viewers.

Jack Wolfe as Wylan and Kit Young as Jesper staring at one another in Shadow and Bone

The Costly Reality of Fantasy

Beyond viewership numbers, the financial aspect played a pivotal role in the cancellation of Shadow and Bone. The series, with its elaborate fantasy setting, incurred substantial production costs, encompassing the hiring of actors and crew, location rentals, authentic costume creation, and CGI implementation. The high production expenses heightened the stakes for Netflix, requiring their most expensive series to yield a commensurate profit.

Alina and Mal from Shadow And Bone

When a series of this magnitude fails to generate the expected returns, it becomes financially prudent for Netflix to reallocate its resources to other productions. This cost-benefit analysis further underscored the decision to cancel Shadow and Bone, redirecting the investment to more financially viable projects.

Ben Barnes as The Darkling in Shadow and Bone Season 2