The original post: /r/television by /u/SnooConfections7049 on 2025-06-22 04:50:15.
So I came across the post on Instagram where someone was lamenting about. The cancelation of Shadow and Bone by Netflix despite having the perfect cast, and just how it seemed like Netflix didn’t even give the show a fair chance. Which there is truth there it was a crime. Shadow and Bone only got two seasons I predicted it got at least 3 before Netflix gave it the boot. But then they absolutely handled the release of the 2nd season all wrong. In terms of promotion Netflix did so much to hype up the making of the show and the first season. And went on to drop the ball on the second season. That was the dead giveaway they were done with it. Anyway this reminded me of how Amazon recently just cancelled Wheel of Time and all the backlash they are facing with that. And it just made me think about all the other fantasy TV shows that have came out over the past 5-7 years or so. With some of them never standing a chance.
It brings up the question why don’t fantasy TV shows last? I think the answer is simple when you think about it. Fantasy TV shows tend to have a high budget cost and with that comes high expectations. Studios like Amazon and Netflix are trying to find their Game of Thrones, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, or Supernatural. They want something that will stand the test of time and make them a lot of money now and in the future. And they shell out a bunch of money on these projects hoping that guarantees success and usually. The show does have minimum to moderate success, but it’s like the show can’t sustain. So you have to think when the show already isn’t bringing in the numbers, and isn’t on track to become the next big thing. Like the studio expected and on top of that viewership starts to go down. Why would they keep it going?
The whole reason Studios are picking popular books to turn into shows. Is because of the preexisting fanbase they want to capitalize off of that. And in the beginning it always works book fans get hype and tune in. But as time goes on and each season veers more and more off the path of the books. It turns book fans off and they stop watching. Leaving the show with the organic fans that just started watching out of pure interest, and the book fans who are loyal to a fault choosing to watch the adaptation. No matter how different or bad it might be compared to the book. Unfortunately I feel like it’s primarily the book fans carrying these projects in the beginning. Studios can’t afford to lose them, but for some reason always like they can.
The Witcher is a perfect example fans kept warning them to get back on track with. The books heck even Henry Cavill told them to stay true to the source material, and still they refused to listen. Resulting to him leaving and fans tapping out on the show.
You could say Shadow and Bone failed for some of the same reasons. Listen as someone who loves all the books in the Grishaverse. I’m not blind most Grishaverse fans prefer the Six of Crows duology. A good portion of the fanbase has admitted to only reading the Six of Crows duology and not bothering with the OG Shadow and Bone trilogy. Or they tried and DNFed it because it wasn’t as good. I feel like most Grishaverse fans were ready to tune into to Shadow and Bone hoping it would lead to a Six of Crows spin-off. Then Netflix got the bright idea to combine the two stories together. Which meant they had to change a lot with both series, and ultimately I don’t think some fans were feeling that. Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if Netflix had kept to the original Shadow and Bone trilogy. Then announced the Six of Crows duology as it’s own separate TV show.
Not to mention another underlying reasons some studios are so comfortable with canceling these shows. Is because they have either have another one on the way. That they expect to succeed where the last one failed, or they already have another highly anticipated fantasy TV show going on. Netflix is losing The Witcher but has Avatar the Last Airbender, One Piece, and Wednesday. Not the same kind of fantasy but still fall into the category around the time Shadow and Bone got canceled they had the Witcher and all these shows had been announced to be in the works. Netflix also snatched up the rights to Quicksilver Court. Amazon has Rings of Power in place of Wheel of Time and a Fourth Wing show is in the works. None of that is a coincidence.
The pattern with Fantasy TV shows will continue to repeat itself. Until these shows reach the level of success the studios want out of them.