The second season of Shadow and Bone, Netflix’s adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy novel series, dropped back in March of this year. In the months that followed, we didn’t hear anything about Netflix renewing the show. In this case, no news was bad news. Deadline reports that Netflix has canceled the show, together with a planned Six of Crows spinoff.
Shadow and Bone is set in a fantasy world inspired by czarist Russia, where magic users named Grisha use their powers for good and ill. The main character is Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), who’s locked in a battle with the Darkling (Ben Barnes).
According to Deadline, Shadow and Bone was canceled for the usual reasons: the show wasn’t popular enough to justify the cost. The first season was a hit, but season 2 wasn’t as successful. We didn’t enjoy season 2 as much as season 1; the show blasted through the final two books in Bardugo’s trilogy, possibly so it could set things up for a Six of Crows spinoff starring another set of characers. Deadline also notes that the actors and writers strikes in Hollywood had something to do with Netflix’s decision. Shadow and Bone is one of many shows delayed by the strikes. So now only was it losing fans, the remaining fans would have to wait longer for new episodes.
Fans want to #SaveShadowAndBone
Shadow and Bone author Leigh Bardugo took to Instagram to share her feelings about the news:
“I’m heartbroken and deeply disappointed, but I’m also trying to hold onto my very real gratitude,” Bardugo shared. “Most authors never get to see their work adapted. Many who do end up regretting the experience. I’m one of the lucky few who can look at an adaptation with pride and tremendous joy. I am so grateful to our writers, our crew, and our extraordinaty cast who are not just wildly talented, but genuinely good people.”
Meanwhile, fans online have started up a #SaveShadowAndBone hashtag:
This is not how their story ends.#SixOfCrowsSpinoff #SaveShadowAndBone pic.twitter.com/VY8ohrIwCK
— Kat. (@katbrkrs) November 16, 2023
The cast, the fandom, leigh, the writers.
— sara lvs kal & loki 🐦⬛🌙 save s&b (@__nextsupreme__) November 15, 2023
We have been working for YEARS, supporting this, we deserve better treatment, we deserve final closure.#saveshadowandbone#renewshadowandbone#SixOfCrowsSpinoff #shadowandbone pic.twitter.com/SqrEpUQMa6
do Netflix know that sure, they make more money when they produce new series while also c wording their films but THEY ARE LITERALLY LOSING THEIR SUBSCRIBERS TRUST? glad im not subscribed now that we see them for who they really are#SaveLockwoodandCo#SaveShadowandBone pic.twitter.com/jBNc9yPe0b
— jade ✧*. save lockwood and co in my bio ｡*♡ (@anniesads_) November 16, 2023
no way they cancel shadow and bone and no six of crows spin off.
— ⭒✩⭒ (@BlizzardOfBlue) November 16, 2023
it had an amazing cast, representation, diversity, & was constantly trending.
i’m pissed.
#SaveShadowAndBone pic.twitter.com/cBnHODx5Tm
Reminder this exists https://t.co/LujPxjvdMI#SaveShadowandBone #SixOfCrowsSpinoff #SOCspinoff #ShadowAndBoneSeason3 #WeNeverStopFighting pic.twitter.com/KWYHP9nCQj
— Hans #SaveShadowandBone (@purpleyin) November 16, 2023
Along with Shadow and Bone, Netflix has also cancelled Glamorous, Agent Elvis, Farzar and Captain Fall. Expect more cancelations to follow as streaming services try to un-scramble their schedules following the end of the strikes.
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