Netflix Cancels Shadow And Bone, Other Shows Killed Because Of Strike

Netflix, which had initially abstained from making cancellation decisions during the strikes, has now succumbed to the aftermath, assessing the performance versus cost and other contributing factors for each series. The strikes, which lasted more than half a year in total, caused delays in writing and filming. Networks were disrupted, streamers were forced to change scheduling plans, and the pipeline for late 2024 and 2025 became jammed as content creation was pushed back.

The strikes, which cost the national economy about $6 billion, caused financial scrutiny among media companies who are now being forced to recalibrate their linear and streaming strategies to make up for lost time and money. We always knew this would lead to canceled shows, and now we’re beginning to see the casualties. Four out of five of the Netflix series that were canceled had only aired one season, making them particularly vulnerable in the midst of the industry shake-up, with Shadow and Bone being the one show that had already produced a second season.

Of the five canceled series, three of them were animated adult comedies. In the past, Netflix has seen major success in the adult animated genre, enticing viewers with critically acclaimed series like Bojack Horseman, Big Mouth, and Disenchanted. 

However, the platform has been going through a transition period in adult animation after hiring Billy Wee, the producer behind The Goldbergs, to head the Netflix adult animation department. The canceled animated comedies Agent Elvis, Farzar, and Captain Fall were greenlit by the previous department leaders and their cancelations indicate a shift in the platform’s creative direction.

Meanwhile, Shadow and Bone, inspired by Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Grishaverse novels, stands out as the highest-profile series among the losses. While the show developed a dedicated fanbase and became an important title for Netflix, the impact of Season 2 did not match the success of its predecessor. The potential delay of Season 3 likely influenced the decision not to move forward.

While Netflix’s announcement to cancel five shows at once seems like a lot, the list of canceled series continues to grow, encompassing more than just the streaming platform. ABC, Fox, Paramount+, and Apple TV+ have also put the axe against the necks of popular shows, with The Rookie: Feds, Home Economics, Welcome to Flatch, Rabbit Hole, and The Afterparty nullified as well.

Meanwhile, all previously released episodes of the canceled shows will still remain available to watch on Netflix, at least for the time being. The cancellation of these series marks a significant shift in Netflix’s strategy as it navigates the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry post-strikes. As networks continue to examine their slates, more casualties are expected in the coming weeks.