THE BOROUGHS on Netflix is a Sci-Fi Mystery series that feels like the genre love child of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. Yes, despite neither of them being involved with the production. I absolutely loved it – all the way from the opening scene. Read our The Boroughs season 1 review here!
THE BOROUGHS is a new Netflix series produced by the Duffer Brothers. I open with this because many will likely wonder if this is their creation. It is not. Just like Something Very Bad is Going to Happen wasn’t created by the Duffer Brothers.
The Duffer Brothers are producing these wonderful new Netflix shows, and I love them for it. However, credit for creation goes elsewhere. And yes, I will get back to that later. Anyway, this new sci-fi mystery series is still perfect for anyone who loved their actual creation: Stranger Things. This is set in the present but full of nostalgia!
Continue reading our The Boroughs season 1 review below. Find it on Netflix now.
Welcome to a new community in the desert
The Boroughs is not only the title of this new Netflix mystery sci-fi series. It’s also the name of a seemingly gorgeous and downright idyllic retirement community in the desert. Here, we meet Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), just as he moves into the community.
Sam is a deeply grieving man who lost his beloved wife recently. As a newcomer, he is welcomed warmly, but isn’t very welcoming himself. This all changes after a monstrous encounter (of the very supernatural, possibly alien, kind). This inspires him to finally become part of the circle of friends living right next door.
He joins a misfit crew consisting of unlikely, but wise and brave, heroes. Together, they are about to uncover the dark secret of The Boroughs. While picturesque, this retirement community has a secret that is out of this world.
And that’s all you need to know. The rest is to be experienced when you watch the eight episodes on Netflix.
You gotta love this cast
Alongside Alfred Molina’s Sam Cooper, who is an engineer, we meet other senior experts, and together, the characters and cast create magic.
From the sharp-witted former journalist, Judy Daniels (Alfre Woodard), and her spiritual seeker of a husband, Art Daniels (Clarke Peters), to the brilliant doctor running out of options, Wally Baker (Denis O’Hare), and cynical music manager, Renee Joyce (Geena Davis). Also, we have Jena Malone as Sam’s daughter, Claire.
Plus, I have to mention a few more of the amazing actors in this cast. You can look forward to Dee Wallace (E.T., Cujo, Critters), who opens the entire show, Bill Pullman (The Sinner, Independence Day), Ed Begley Jr. (Strange Darling), and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle).
Watch The Boroughs on Netflix… watch it now!
This new Netflix series was created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance), who also serve as showrunners on this eight-episode series. Whether we’ll get more seasons or not, you can never be sure with Netflix, but I am so ready for more.
And yes, The Duffer Brothers are executive producers on this series, which takes place in yet another rural supernatural town. Instead of being in 1980s Hawkins, Indiana, we’re seeing this story play out in the present-day New Mexico desert.
While I began this review by saying The Duffer Brothers are not the creators, I do want to highlight that the actual creators of The Boroughs, Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, give them a lot of credit for the result. Especially their ability to make the end result both scary, mysterious, exciting, and emotional.
And I have to agree that this Netflix series does nail that balance, so if the creators are giving credit to The Duffer Brothers for getting the balance of heart and horror, then I want to applaud them as well.
All eight episodes of The Boroughs Season 1 arrive on Netflix globally on May 21, 2026.
📺 Watch trailer
Plot
In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a grieving newcomer’s monstrous encounter inspires him to join a misfit crew of unlikely heroes who uncover a dark secret that proves their “golden years” are more dangerous, and they are more formidable, than anyone expects.
Details
Showrunners/Creators/Executive Producers: Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews
Directors: Ben Taylor (101, 102), Augustine Frizzell (103, 104, 107, & 108), Kyle Patrick Alvarez (105, 106)
Starring: Alfred Molina (Sam), Geena Davis (Renee), Alfre Woodard (Judy), Denis O’Hare (Wally), Clarke Peters (Art), Bill Pullman (Jack), Carlos Miranda (Paz), Jena Malone (Claire), Seth Numrich (Blaine), Alice Kremelberg (Anneliese)
Additional Cast: Ed Begley Jr. (Edward), Dee Wallace (Grace), Eric Edelstein (Hank), Rafael Casal (Neil), Mousa Hussein Kraish (Dr. McGinnis), Beth Bailey (Kayleigh), Karan Soni (Toby) with Jane Kaczmarek (Lilly) and more.
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