Netflix cancelled its best fantasy since The Witcher WAY too soon
Three years ago, Netflix cancelled Lockwood & Co., the London-set YA ghost-hunting drama based on Jonathan Stroud’s novels, after just one season.
When Lockwood & Co. landed on Netflix in January 2023, it immediately drew attention with its clever mix of supernatural intrigue and youthful detective work. Set in an alternate Britain haunted by restless ghosts, the series stood out for its moody atmosphere and sharp storytelling, as well as a cast that managed to appeal both to younger viewers and adults who fancied something layered in between crime drama and fantasy.
Based on Jonathan Stroud’s popular novels, the story centres on three gifted teenagers tackling ghostly threats: Lucy Carlyle (Ruby Stokes), Anthony Lockwood (Cameron Chapman), and George Karim (Ali Hadji-Heshmati). The trio quickly became favourites thanks to sharp writing and a chemistry that kept the show briskly entertaining, never letting the procedural formula go stale.
- Ruby Stokes — Lucy Carlyle
- Cameron Chapman — Anthony Lockwood
- Ali Hadji-Heshmati — George Karim
Despite its early success — the series shot into Netflix’s global top 10 for three weeks and topped viewing charts in 18 different countries in its second week — Netflix abruptly decided to cancel Lockwood & Co. just four months after release. Critics, like audiences, were slightly baffled: the show had launched with a 100% rating from reviewers and had seemed set for a longer run.
According to reports, Netflix’s choice came down to numbers. While precise figures are closely guarded, Variety cited low viewing thresholds as the main reason for pulling the plug after only one series, despite plans for three. The move added to Netflix’s growing reputation for cutting promising shows short, particularly those aimed at younger or crossover audiences.
Lockwood & Co. remained in Netflix’s global top 10 for three weeks following its release in January 2023.
For those who missed it the first time around, Lockwood & Co. is still available to stream on Netflix in the UK. Fans of the books and the series continue to hold out hope that, with the appetite for supernatural drama undimmed, someone might yet resurrect the story for another go. But for now, it remains one of those curious one-series wonders — full of promise, and gone too soon.