Why Was Dead Boy Detectives Cancelled and Can It Be Saved by the Fans?

Dead Boy Detectives was cancelled by Netflix after one season, but fans are fighting to convince the streamer to bring it back for a second season and more.

What Is It?

This series follows the ghosts of two people who were wrongfully killed and who decide not to enter the afterlife but instead remain on Earth to investigate crimes involving the supernatural. It is based on the comic book characters created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner and it exists in the same universe as The Sandman.

Aired: Netflix, 2024, One Season Totaling 8 Episodes

Starring: George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson, Briana Cuoco, Ruth Connell

Created By: Steve Yockey, Beth Schwartz

Why Was It Cancelled?


This supernatural drama spent three weeks in the Netflix Top 10 but that proved not enough to reach the completion rate expected from an original on that service.  That stat tracks the number of people who watch the entire season within a set period of time, and Netflix execs have been paying close attention to those numbers over the last few years. Other shows from the streamer that spent a similar amount of time in the Top 10 but also suffered the same fate include Fate: The Winx SagaThe Imperfects, and The Midnight Club.  The average viewership per week for Dead Boy Detectives was on the low side compared to other genre entries on Netflix during the 2023-24 season. But the show is tied to the same universe as The Sandman, so I was thinking that might help keep it going. And, it did score well with critics and viewers, currently holding a 92% Fresh Rating and 90% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Showrunners Steve Yockey and Beth Schwartz had plans for a second season with the latter commenting in an interview with Deadline on what direction she saw it going (SPOILER ALERT):

Now that [Crystal] has all her memories back, and they’re going back to London, and she’s going to have to face her family, I think her biggest fear is going to be, ‘Am I going to return to this old person that that I don’t like [and] that other people didn’t seem to like very much? Are my new friends going to dislike me because of it?’ So I think there’s so much territory to be played there. If we do get to Season 2, how her parents would react to the new Crystal, the one who’s been working for the detective agency, and has been changed by meeting this group?

Yockey also said that while the show would continue with its season arcs, it would also keep up with the case-of-the-week stories. But with the cancellation, it looks like this may not happen.

Can It Be Saved?

Dead Boy Detectives did develop a notable fan following during its short run, and they have immediately taken up a Call to Action to save the show. There is an online petition that has passed 15K signatures as of this writing. They also have run several hashtag campaigns on social media to get the show trending, and they have set up a comprehensive campaign page to get the word out about what they are doing.

Other actions that could help the show include watch parties to get Dead Boy Detectives back in the Netflix Top 10 and also to get a drive going to convince people to subscribe to the streamer to watch the show. That will impact the bottom line and draw the attention of the Netflix execs.

Any attempt to get the show moved to another venue would be an uphill battle, though, because the streamer has the rights to the property for at least two years and possibly longer. If nothing else, the fan campaign could lead to a crossover with The Sandman to resolve some loose ends from the series. Or perhaps Netflix will greenlight a movie to provide some resolution. So if the fans remain diligent, they could very well see a return of the characters from Dead Boy Detectives at some point in the future.

Where Can You Watch It?

The entire first season is still streaming on Netflix and likely won’t be going anywhere. So as mentioned above, now is the perfect time to stage watch parties and possibly get this one back in the Netflix Top 10.

Did you watch Dead Boy Detectives and would you support fan efforts to save the show? Chime in below in the comments.



Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site  for breaking news and updates. And for the latest news and discussions on sci fi and fantasy television, follow r/SciFiTV

Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.

Author: johnnyjay

13 thoughts on “Why Was Dead Boy Detectives Cancelled and Can It Be Saved by the Fans?

  1. I’m so annoyed that Netflix canceled this show!!! It is my absolute favorite! How are we going to know what happens with Niko and her Sprite gods? What about Monty the crow? And Crystal and Edwin and Charles (My absolute FAVORITE)? What about Jenny going to London with Crystal and the boys? The Night Nurse having to be the “chaperone” for the boys? So much is left unanswered!! Do better Netflix!!! Seriously, WTF?????????

  2. I was really looking forward to the next instalment! I’m so disappointed it was cancelled 😭 Please bring it back Netflix!😁

  3. The problem was they didn’t push it as a tie in to The Sandman Universe. There was hardly any push from Netflix. This was a great show that really did the comic justice. As someone who has loved the comic this sucks. Doesn’t MAX own some form of Dead Boys? They were in a couple Doom Patrol episodes but Max is screwed up wise than Netflix right now.

  4. I loved this show! I was both pissed off and just plain sad when I learned it was canceled. I’ve been itching to know where Edwin and Charles’ relationship will proceed and if the idea of romance between them is possible. I’d probably cry if it did happen and binge it all.

  5. Thank you for covering this topic! This show has been the best thing I have seen on TV in years and I am so sad that it’s not continuing. We continue to raise our voices to advocate for its renewel!

  6. The 15k people that signed the petition should also cancel their memberships. That will definitely get Netflix’s attention.

  7. Save this show! I loved it. Great characters and great story line. Whats not to love! Netflix dangles it out there, you get caught on to it and then they cancel it? Wtf Netflix!

  8. Please save The Dead Boy Detectives.
    I absolutely love all the characters.
    It’s unique and entertaining. Also,
    I’m in love with the Cat King. (I’m 64-years old).

  9. I’m wondering why anyone should watch a new series on any streaming service. A new show comes on, you watch it get into the story the characters only to have it canceled after one season or even in the middle of a next season. It’s damn ridiculous!! Dead Boy Detective is a great show and should not be canceled!!

  10. I found the show fresh, exciting, good dialogue between the characters and at funny when appropriate. I would definitely watch season 2 and more if given the chance.

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