Surprise Netflix Cancellation Sparks Fan Backlash

Fans reacted with outrage after Netflix canceled Shadow and Bone, as the streamer cut a number of shows just days after the end of the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike.

Other shows to face the chopping block included Glamorous, Agent Elvis, Farzar and Captain Fall, according to Deadline.

A reason wasn't given for the cancellation, but the author on whose book the fantasy series is based said she was "deeply disappointed."

Newsweek has been able to confirm the cancellation.

Leigh Bardugo wrote the Grishaverse novels, including Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, which many people hoped would get a spinoff on the streaming giant.

"The news hit me hard," Bardugo wrote on Instagram. "I'm heartbroken and deeply disappointed, but I'm also trying to hold onto my very real gratitude. 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.

"Now, I'm going to have a cry, and maybe a drink, and then see where the story takes us next."

Shadow and Bone followed orphan cartographer Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) as she tried to use her gifts to help a war -ravaged world.

Fans shared their grief over the show's cancellation before the third season and called for another network to pick it up.

"Look, Lucifer did it because it had a strong fanbase and they made a lot of noise, so Grishaverse fans, let's f***** go. We're not giving up, y'all hear me? We keep fighting!!!" wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.

Another added: "Really Netflix?? Shadow and Bone?? yet another good show they cancelled. Nope we're gonna bring this back."

And a third wrote: "this fandom isn't going anywhere without putting a fight first."

The decision seemed to be a surprise one, as showrunner Eric Heisserer had previously told Newsweek of his plans for Season 3.

"If we're able to get our way, because there are a lot of mouths to feed, the best course of action is to allow us to do Six of Crows as a standalone season and really spend time with those characters," Heisserer said in March, referring to the planned Six of Crows spinoff. "And then Season 3 of the mothership allows us to spend a good amount of time with all of our Ravkan contingent."

Shadow and Bone's third season was supposed to largely take place at the same time as the Six of Crows spinoff, and Season 2's last scene was of particular relevance.

He explained: "Those storylines will at least somewhat overlap, because there is a scene in Season 2 that essentially lands on the same night as Hringkälla [an annual event in Fjerda], which means that a good chunk of Six of Crows will be happening at that time.

"But then it moves forward from there, and the fun will be knowing when those characters can cross-pollinate again, and when we can sort of Avengers Assemble everybody against a common, major enemy."

UPDATE: 11/16/2023, 8:53 A.M. This story was updated to include Newsweek's confirmation of the show's cancellation.