Netflix fantasy series so good fans 'don't trust' streaming service
The Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone has captivated many, amassing a solid fanbase over its two-season run on the streaming service.
Adapted from Leigh Bardugo's fantasy novels and brought to life on Netflix by Eric Heisserer, Shadow and Bone made its debut on the platform in 2021. The series was met with high praise from both viewers and critics, leading to a second season in March 2023. However, by November of the same year, it was announced that the streaming behemoth had decided to cancel the show.
Set in the fantastical Grishaverse, Shadow and Bone tells the tale of Alina Starkov, an orphan turned cartographer, who uncovers her latent magical Grisha powers. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that Alina holds the key to salvaging her war-ravaged world, finding herself up against formidable dark forces.
The inaugural season adapted Bardugo's 2012 novel Shadow and Bone, while also incorporating an original plotline centred around the Crows - a lovable gang of criminals at the heart of Bardugo's Six of Crows duology, reports the Mirror US.
Despite escalating fan support, Shadow and Bone was axed after just two seasons, a decision that has undoubtedly left its followers devastated.
One Reddit user tried to rationalise the show's cancellation by stating: "Because it didn't have Stranger Things success. They cancel many expensive shows if they're not as popular as they want them to be. The show was first place in my country for at least a month (both seasons) so I don't get Netflix's choice."
Further observations were made with another comment: "It seems like it's one of the most viewed shows they ever canceled. The budget must be crazy."
Disappointed fans divulged how the axing of the show led them to cancel their Netflix subscriptions: "I had an HD Netflix account. I cancelled it as soon as I read that Shadow and Bone S3 and Six of Crows weren't getting made. When the exit survey asked why I was canceling, I selected 'other' and typed in 'Shadow and Bone canceled'."
Mistrust towards Netflix was also voiced as one Redditor explained their hesitation to invest in new series: "I mean, this isn't the first time Netflix has given us a fantastic S1 of something, an alright S2 and then used that as an excuse to cancel the series before it wraps up. It's gotten to the point where I don't trust them enough to start most of their original series. I know it probably won't do anything but I don't think it hurts to show them that people have noticed and that they're tired of being left hanging."
Amid disbelief, a user pointed out a seemingly illogical decision by the streaming giant: "Absolutely baffling that they dropped this show but renewed Emily in Paris for a fifth season."
Some ardent supporters of the series have launched petitions to contest its cancellation, with one newcomer to the Shadow and Bone fan community taking a stand: "I'm new to the Shadow and Bone fanbase. Even more new to the disappointment of no season 3. So I created a petition. I'm aware that many petitions were already made. But I haven't seen one from this year yet. Let's try again and see if we can change Netflix's mind. No mourners, no funerals!!"
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