Summary

Netflix has canceled the fantasy series Shadow and Bone after two seasons, as well as the previously announced spinoff. Fans of Shadow and Bone, which is based on Leigh Bardugo’s works, are likely to be disappointed by the news, with the show receiving positive reviews for its world-building and adventure. Leigh Bardugo, the author, expressed her heartbreak and disappointment but also gratitude for the opportunity to see her work adapted.

The Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone has been canceled after two seasons, with the streamer also electing not to move forward with the previously announced Six of Crows spinoff. A report by Deadline confirms that the Shadow and Bone adaptation will not return for a third season, with Netflix also canceling the likes of the comedy-drama Glamorous and the animated comedies Agent Elvis, Farzar and Captain Fall.

These cancelations have reportedly come as a result of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, both of which have now come to an end, but greatly affected production schedules across Hollywood.

There is sure to be some huge disappointment among fans of Shadow and Bone in particular, which is based on the works of Leigh Bardugo and set in the Grishaverse. “Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world,” the official synopsis from Netflix reads.

Developed by Eric Heisserer for Netflix, Shadow and Bone stars Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young, and Ben Barnes. Both seasons of the show have been met with a positive response from critics and audiences alike thanks to its complex world-building and sense of adventure.

Related Why Shadow and Bone is Quintessential YA Netflix Viewing YA translates best to the serialized Netflix game. So why is Shadow and Bone the perfect example of this I-guess-I’ll-watch genre?

Author Leigh Bardugo Has Responded to the Cancelation News

Author Leigh Bardugo has since responded to the news of Shadow and Bone’s cancelation, saying that she is “heartbroken and deeply disappointed” but also feels “gratitude” that she and the fans were able to see the works adapted.

“Friends, by now you’ve probably heard that there will be no season 3 for Shadow and Bone and no Six of Crows spinoff. The news hit me hard. 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 those lucky few who can look at an adaptation with pride and tremendous joy. I am so grateful to our writers, our crew, and our extraordinary cast who are not just wildly talented, but genuinely good people.
Most of all I want to say how grateful I am to the folks reading this — whether you found your way to the books first or discovered them through the show. The Grishaverse is a better place because of you and I am so thankful for every tweet, post, comment, review, artwork, fic, tattoo, and cosplay that helped to make all of this possible. We’re book people and that means we never stop imagining that magic can be made real. You are proof of that. Now, I’m going to go have a cry, and maybe a drink and then see where the story takes us next. No mourners, Leigh.”

The first two seasons of Shadow and Bone are available to stream on Netflix. Could we see another fan campaign take off following this news?