The Boroughs climbed to the top of Nielsen’s streaming charts in its first full week of availability, only to face cancellation at Netflix three weeks later. The sci-fi series posted 1.74 billion minutes for the week of May 25, a 45% jump from the week before.
The performance put the show ahead of Netflix’s Nemesis on the overall rankings, but strong viewing did not change the streamer’s decision not to move ahead with a second season. Netflix cited low audience retention and high production costs, even as the cancellation drew backlash from fans and stars Geena Davis and Denis O’Hare.
Why the numbers stood out
The audience mix shifted as the series gained more attention. Viewership among adults 18-34 rose from 11% in its debut week to 15%, but the show still skewed older, with 31% of its audience in the 50-64 range, according to Nielsen.
The ensemble cast included Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, and Jena Malone. The story followed a group of friends at a retirement community as they worked together to uncover a dark conspiracy around them.
Other streaming titles on the chart
Prime Video and MGM+ series Spider-Noir, from Sony Pictures Television, premiered on May 25 and reached No. 4 on the overall chart with 851 million minutes. It trailed perennial favorites Bluey and Grey’s Anatomy on the list.
Paramount’s Dutton Ranch reached No. 6 overall and No. 3 on the streaming originals chart with a series high of 782 million minutes. Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors also hit its best ranking yet, landing at No. 8 on the originals chart with 387 million minutes.
Hulu’s The Testaments, a sequel series to The Handmaid’s Tale, debuted on the chart as its Season 1 finale brought in 377 million minutes. The series had already been renewed for Season 2 by that point.
For The Boroughs, the contrast between chart success and cancellation made its brief run stand out even more. Its Nielsen surge showed real viewing momentum, but Netflix still decided the show was not strong enough to justify another season.
