Netflix has cancelled two shows after just one season, including The Boroughs which holds a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating. The streaming giant ended Building The Band and The Boroughs last month, adding to a list of axed series this year that includes The Abandons, Terminator Zero, Alice In Borderland, Miss Governor, What's In The Box, and The Vince Staples Show.
Building The Band
Building The Band, a singing contest where 50 singers competed in sound booths to form the ultimate band, featured Liam Payne's final major TV appearance. The One Direction star served as a judge and mentor, filming scenes weeks before his death in Argentina in October 2024 at age 31. The series aired with his family's blessing, making it an emotional watch for fans. Judges also included Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland, with AJ McLean hosting and paying tribute to Payne. Premiering in July 2025, the show produced four bands—3quency, SZN4, Soulidified, and Midnight Til Morning—all of which have since signed record deals, released music, and toured. Midnight Til Morning recently performed at BST Hyde Park supporting ATEEZ. While Netflix has not officially confirmed the cancellation, a source told The Sun there are no plans for a second season. 'Although there are currently no plans for a second season of Building The Band, bosses at Netflix are really proud of what they achieved,' the insider said, noting the creation of four successful groups.
The Boroughs
The Boroughs, produced by the Duffer Brothers of Stranger Things fame, featured an A-list cast including Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, Alfre Woodard, and Alfred Molina. The supernatural storyline followed residents of a remote retirement village in New Mexico after a creepy alien appears and one resident is found dead. Critics praised the show, with Empire magazine calling it 'an original sci-fi that succeeds on its own terms' and the Los Angeles Times deeming it 'a very enjoyable watch.' Despite scoring 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix will not renew it for a second series, leaving only eight episodes. Actor Denis O'Hare suggested on Instagram that Emmy voters should support the show: 'I think we still have a couple of days before the end of Emmy voting that everyone should just vote for The Boroughs. You can vote for me if you like.' He added, 'Stick it to Netflix and let them know that they made a mistake.'
