A Netflix programme based on a beloved fantasy book series has been cancelled, leaving fans sad after an anxious wait for renewal news.
Shadow and Bone, based on the stories of novelist Leigh Bardugo, debuted on Netflix in 2021.
The programme, which starred Jessie Mei Li as heroine Alina Starkov and Ben Barnes as the frightening General Kirigan, was lauded by reviewers and fans alike, with this year’s second season concluding on a massive cliffhanger.
However, it looks that fans of the story will not have their questions addressed on the small screen, since a third installment is not in the works.
In a report published by Deadline, it was revealed that several Netflix series had been dropped, including Kim Cattrall’s Glamorous and the animated sitcom Agent Elvis.
The news of Shadow and Bone’s cancellation was later confirmed on Instagram by author Leigh, who wrote in a statement: ‘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.’
Leigh acknowledged that ‘most authors never get to see their work adapted’, and ‘many who do end up regretting the experience’, whereas she is ‘one of the lucky few who can look at an adaptation with pride and tremendous joy’.
The writer continued: ‘I am so grateful to our writers, our crew, and our extraordinary cast who are not just wildly talented, but genuinely good people.’
She also thanked all of the fans who read her statement, whether they first learned about the narrative from her novels or the TV show.
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‘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,’ she stated.
‘We’re book people and that means we never stop imagining that magic can be made real. You are proof of that.’
She concluded her message by adding: ‘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.’
On her Instagram Story, lead actress Jessie addressed the news of the cancellation, sharing a behind-the-scenes video of herself in character as Alina.
‘S&B has come to an end,’ she wrote in a caption, alongside a white heart emoji.
‘My first big job and I will never forget it. Walking away now towards exciting new horizons with some friends for life!! Thanks for watching Grishaverse xxx.’
A lot of fans took to social media to express their indignation at the decision, especially because other Netflix shows have been permitted to continue for many more seasons.
The cast and crew deserve so much better than just being thrown aside for no reason. We never even got all six crows together and there are so many unfinished storylines. Bring them back to us,’ one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
‘The cast, the fandom, Leigh, the writers. We have been working for YEARS, supporting this, we deserve better treatment, we deserve final closure,’ another put.
Many fans are upset since it was previously believed that a Six of Crows spin-off series based on a duology of novels in Leigh’s narrative Grishaverse had already been created.
‘We deserve to see this,’ one fan affirmed, while another penned: ‘This is what hurts the most @netflix the script is there all you need to do is back down.’
Shadow and Bone is available to watch on Netflix.