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Season 1 – The Boroughs

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for Season 1 – The Boroughs May 2026 Drama Adventure Mystery & Thriller Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In a seemingly picturesque retirement community, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don't have, time.

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The Boroughs — Season 1

The Boroughs — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The Boroughs exudes excellence through its wonderfully plotted sci-fi trappings, star-studded cast, heartfelt narrative, and genuine ingenuity; a new classic through-and-through.

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Audience Says

A slightly addictive sci-fi, creature-driven mystery, The Boroughs isn’t just for Boomers -- it’s a rewarding, star-studded binge steeped in atmosphere and corny charm, with broad appeal.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Travers The Travers Take 5d
3/4
It’s been called ‘Stranger Things’ for seniors, but it’s so much more as Geena Davis and Alfred Molina lead a cast of A-listers as retirees who take on aliens, aging and a society that sees them as invisible. Go to Full Review
Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) May 28
The Boroughs makes literal the fears we all have about obsolescence and the end of life – that we’ll all be shunted and hidden away in a special place when we’re no longer of any use, just waiting to die. Go to Full Review
Alan Sepinwall What's Alan Watching? (Ghost.io) May 27
The Boroughs is a brisk, confident, well-crafted entertainment, with moments that made me laugh and cry. Go to Full Review
Susan Granger SSG Syndicate 13h
6/10
Propelled by skilled veteran actors, the sinister, spooky, supernatural series has great promise - until the cheesy, predictable plot disappoints, concluding on an ambiguous note. Go to Full Review
George M. Thomas Akron Beacon Journal 2d
B+
Addiss and Matthews craft a show with plenty of charm to go with the sci-fi secret at the heart of the story. That allure comes courtesy of a cast that is more than up to the task in delivering the goods to make this all work. Go to Full Review
Travis Johnson Blunt Magazine 3d
But the real strength of The Boroughs is its cast - it's just so much fun to see actors of this caliber bounce off each other. the supernatural goings-on are merely the icing on the retirement cake. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rachel B. @Rydon994 2h It was a really cool tv show Alfred Molina was fantastic and hilarious. The ending was fantastic. See more Sarah R @RT28094404 3h This is a completely ridiculous show with a lot of bad acting silly as silly can be with a few story lines that just make no sense See more taw 5 @taw5022 4h It doesn't have the mystery power of stranger things but it's still interesting enough to give a watch. The cast does a good job in delivery and each character feels unique. The plot and idea are also interesting. Where it falls a bit short is in the pacing. There is a lot to unpack and they sort of just dump it on you. 12 episodes would probably have served the story telling better. I felt as though a lot of things that held mystery were revealed rather quickly rather than letting the audience sit and wonder which is what Stranger Things excelled at. The score is well done and is a nice touch to a solid but ok series. If you're looking for a solid watch that you probably won't come back to, give this a shot. You also won't feel empty with the season ending as it buttons everything up pretty well but leaves the possibility for a S2. See more Andre C @RT22074852 9h Loved it. Reminded me of a Clive Barker film with the respect and detail that goes into the creatures. Also a shout out to the Duchess, fantastic cameo, Mary McDonnell aka Dances with Fists, wow wow wow. She nailed the Duchess, she shone. Btw people comparing it to stranger things, come on broaden your horizons, there's a lot weirder and genre breaking sci-fi out there. See more Molly U. @QueenMollyElizabeth 11h Very entertaining unique show. In some ways I would compare to stranger things with cast of elder people instead of kids. Very much enjoyed watching the story play out and getting to know the cast and their back stories. See more Troy T @Wurley 13h It was fine. Not great, just fine. Loved seeing Geena Davis and Alfre Woodard though. See more Read all reviews
The Boroughs — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 21, 2026 Welcome to the Boroughs When grieving widower Sam Cooper reluctantly moves to a desert retirement community, he discovers something is lurking beneath its perfect surface. Details Episode 2 Aired May 21, 2026 The Mourning After Still reeling, Sam seeks answers close to home; Renee gets a break in the case of the missing minerals; Judy and Wally face up to painful realities. Details Episode 3 Aired May 21, 2026 A Pyramid Sam and Wally decide to take a risk; Renee and Paz's investigation brings them closer together; Art seeks answers in the desert. Details Episode 4 Aired May 21, 2026 Forbidden Fruit Art savors the fruits of his explorations; Blaine warns Sam that curiosity comes with consequences; Renee makes a shocking discovery. Details Episode 5 Aired May 21, 2026 Another Beautiful Day Sam, Judy and Wally uncover a new side of the Boroughs; Renee and Paz go on a road trip; Blaine tries to convince Claire to take action. Details Episode 6 Aired May 21, 2026 The Grey Rebellion With the entire gang under Blaine's thumb, Sam desperately seeks a way out; Art and Judy hit a breaking point; Wally gets a taste of a new life. Details Episode 7 Aired May 21, 2026 Time to Go As the anniversary party approaches, Anneliese reveals a painful secret; the gang gets in gear for a high-stakes rescue mission at the Manor. Details Episode 8 Aired May 21, 2026 Triple Audible With Blaine and Anneliese desperate to capture Mother, Sam and his friends put it all on the line to save their neighbors and set things right. Details

Season Info

Director
Kyle Patrick Alvarez
Screenwriter
Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Adventure, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 21, 2026