Why did Netflix cancel Lockwood & Co.?

Ghost-hunting days are officially over for the trio at the center of Netflix’s YA supernatural drama Lockwood & Co., based on Jonathan Stroud’s book series. The streaming service has opted not to renew the series for a second season.

Lockwood & Co. premiered on January 27, 2023, and, unfortunately, the writing was always on the wall with this particular series. While it did end up doing very well with critics and attracted a loyal fanbase, Netflix hardly promoted the show, and it didn’t stay in the Top 10 for long. Given that it’s a supernatural series with pricey VFX, it would have had to perform exceptionally well for Netflix to renew it.

The streaming service doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to renewing sci-fi/supernatural YA series; see First Kill, Warrior Nun, The Irregulars, and The Imperfects. Lockwood & Co. has become yet another show axed after a limited run on the service.

Set in alt-universe Britain, Lockwood & Co. follows psychic teen Lucy Carlyle (Ruby Stokes) after she runs away from home and applies for an agency run by Lockwood & Co. proprietor Anthony Lockwood (Cameron Chapman) and his friend George Karim (Ali Hadji-Heshmati). The trio works together to fight the deadly spirits plaguing London.

The one good thing about this series is that there are books, so fans can continue the story by turning to Stroud’s works rather than be left hanging forever.

Why did Netflix cancel Lockwood & Co.?

Variety reports that Netflix was pleased with the show overall, but the viewership numbers weren’t enough to warrant a second season. Again, this speaks to the frustrating culture at Netflix, where promising series are cut off before they’re given a real chance to grow. Imagine if series like Lost, Breaking Bad, or The Office had been canceled after just one season!

Will Lockwood & Co. be shopped to other networks and streamers?

It doesn’t seem like the show’s creators are looking to shop the series elsewhere, but you never know. For now, the studio behind the series, Complete Fiction, has a few other projects in the works at Netflix, so that’s likely where their focus will be for the time being.

Producers share a heartfelt letter with Lockwood & Co. fans

Read the full letter shared by producers on Twitter.