Netflix Had One of the Best Fantasy Series Ever, but Cancelled It After 2 Seasons and Outraged Fans

Netflix Had One of the Best Fantasy Series Ever, but Cancelled It After 2 Seasons and Outraged Fans Jessie Mei Li as Alina in Shadow and BoneImage via Netflix By  Kendall Myers Published 25 minutes ago Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics. Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The last decade has seen a considerable rise in fantasy TV, and Netflix hasn't been immune. The streamer recently released Season 4 of The Witcher, which failed to receive the viewership Netflix was undoubtedly hoping for. I's hard to feel bad for the streamer, though, after they cancelled one of the best fantasy TV series on streaming far too soon. Shadow and Bone premiered on Netflix in 2021, but unfortunately, it didn't last long. Netflix assembled an impressive cast led by Jessie Mei Li and Ben Barnes and introduced viewers to a unique fantasy world based on Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse book series. In an ever-growing genre, Shadow and Bone differentiated itself, focusing on magic and humor above political conflict.

To this day, the adaptation is unlike many other examples of the genre, but Shadow and Bone's stellar cast and loyal fans were not enough to keep it going. Despite having much of the story left to tell, the memorable series only got two seasons before the streamer pulled the plug. The disappointment of the premature cancellation is hard to get over, but with an unconventional approach to the genre and a rare brand of humor, Shadow and Bone remains worth watching, even with the cliffhanger that Netflix left it on.

What Is Netflix's Fantasy Series 'Shadow and Bone' About?

Following the trend of fantasy shows, Shadow and Bone introduces several different plotlines, but it weaves them together well by utilizing the source material. Technically, Shadow and Bone is meant to adapt one of three series Bardugo created in this world, yet the central characters from the follow-up are introduced in the beginning, adding new directions for the series. The main storyline of the fantasy series focuses on a country in conflict as Ravka is not only at war, but torn in two by a magical rift called the Fold.

Alina (Li) is an unassuming girl who discovers that she possesses a rare talent that makes her the Sun Summoner, which makes the world believe she can heal the Fold and make Ravka whole again. Through Alina, Shadow and Bone dives into the magic system, explaining the Grisha that the Darkling (Barnes) leads and what each can do with their abilities, building a fascinating world. Alina also serves as the center of a moral conflict as she discovers what is expected of her and attempts to learn who she can trust.

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Yet that is just the beginning for Shadow and Bone, as while Alina has her own journey, another group of characters explores the fantasy universe's criminal underworld. Far away from Alina's story, a group called the Crows, Kaz (Freddy Carter), Inej (Amita Suman), and Jesper (Kit Young) undertake a near-impossible mission to find and capture the Sun Summoner for personal gain. This storyline expands the world, highlighting different cultures and adding a layer of complexity to the story. With these hilarious and fascinating characters, Shadow and Bone opens up unique opportunities for the story, which only becomes more true in Season 2 as the Crows' group expands to include more faces.

There Is No Other Fantasy Show Like 'Shadow and Bone' on Netflix

Kit Young as Jesper in Shadow and BoneImage via Netflix

The rise in fantasy series has largely been due to Game of Thrones. As the pop culture juggernaut ended, every channel and streamer hoped to be the home of the best replacement, so many of the fantasy series focused on political maneuvering and morally ambiguous characters.

Yet Shadow and Bone never attempted to fit itself into that mold, allowing it to stand out in the genre. This series' heroes and villains are clearly defined, if surprising, and it emphasizes the magic system above the various political conflicts throughout the world. And the differences don't stop there. Instead of using a more traditional medieval-based high fantasy setting, Shadow and Bone opts for a different look, integrating technology like guns and trains, which makes it a unique addition to the genre.

While its setting and story certainly set Shadow and Bone apart, what really separates it from the rest is the series' tone. The fantasy genre as a whole takes itself too seriously, but not Shadow and Bone. The Crows, in particular, excel at this, with their illicit antics often veering into the somewhat ridiculous, and yet it works for the series. Yet it goes beyond their storyline as the series introduces vibrant characters that add lightness to the dark subject matter. With constant jokes from characters like Jasper and Nikolai (Patrick Gibson), the series leans into its comedic aspects, which few fantasy shows do. With technology, humor, and an unpredictable story, Shadow and Bone added variety to the fantasy landscape, which few series can boast.

'Shadow and Bone' Was Cancelled Too Soon, but Remains a Must-Watch for Fantasy Fans

Archie Renaux as Mal Oretsev and Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov in Shadow & Bone Season 2Image via Netflix

Despite an impressive two seasons, Shadow and Bone didn't last. Netflix's sudden cancellation announcement, which followed the release of Season 2, was a shock, especially as there had been talk of a spin-off focusing solely on the Crows. Unexpected cancellations are frequent for streamers, particularly Netflix. However, for this show, fans fought for the series with passion, creating a petition that has over 200,000 signatures.

Even so, Shadow and Bone ended, but the end isn't the real issue. Not only is the series too short, but Season 2 sets up another conflict. Shadow and Bone ended with a cliffhanger that even the books don't answer, leaving fans in suspense. Worse, there are still four books that the series didn't attempt to adapt. While the series makes it through the major plot points of Bardugo's original series, there are two spin-offs, The Six of Crows Duology and The King of Scars Duology, set in the same world that Shadow and Bone could have drawn inspiration from, rather than leaving many of the characters' best stories untouched. If nothing else, Shadow and Bone found a unique place in the world of fantasy TV shows, gaining a dedicated following, and that should have been enough to earn it a longer run.

Shadow and Bone is streaming on Netflix in the U.S.

Shadow and Bone

Like Follow Followed TV-14 Drama Action Adventure Fantasy Release Date 2021 - 2023 Network Netflix Showrunner Eric Heisserer Directors Mairzee Almas, Karen Gaviola, Laura Belsey, Jeremy Webb, Lee Toland Krieger, Bola Ogun Writers Eric Heisserer, Vanya Asher, Daegan Fryklind, Shelley Meals, Christina Strain, M. Scott Veach, Donna Thorland, Erin Conley, Nick Culbertson

Cast

See All

• Jessie Mei Li Alina Starkov
• Archie Renaux Malyen 'Mal' Oretsev

Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world.

Genres Drama, Action, Adventure, Fantasy Creator(s) Eric Heisserer Powered by Expand Collapse

• TV Features
• Shadow and Bone
• Netflix

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