#FIRSTLOOK: “THE BOROUGHS” ARRIVES MAY 21, 2026 ON NETFLIX

The Duffer Brothers are back with THE BOROUGHS, coming to Netflix May 21, 2026, starring some real legends!

On making the series, Creators/Showrunners/Executive Producers Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews tell Tudum.com exclusively, “When Jeff was a child all he did was draw monsters and when Will was a child he started planning for his retirement. So a show about a group of retirees who fight monsters really plays to both our strengths. The result is an adventure about a group of unlikely heroes that we can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with.

From the beginning, we knew we wanted The Boroughs to feel equal parts scary, mysterious, exciting and emotional. The challenge was to create a world that could hold all of these different tones at once. Which is why it was so fun to work with the Duffer Brothers – the masters of balancing heart and horror.

According to some very unofficial napkin math, our stars bring something like 350 years of craft to The Boroughs. We knew they would be great. We didn’t expect them to be so fun. They can make you laugh or cry with just a look. Makes it whole lot easier on us writers.

Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) is the heart of our story. He recently lost his wife and he’s trying to figure out what to do with the time he has left. Which is a question we all face. No matter our age. It’s just the stakes get higher the more years you have under your belt.

Everyone talks about wanting to make a show that teenagers can watch with their parents. We wanted to make one that teenagers could watch with their parents and their grandparents that everyone could enjoy.”

The Duffer Brothers (Executive Producers) added, “For years, we’ve wondered why no one has made a film like Ron Howard’s wonderful Cocoon since, well, Cocoon. Then, out of nowhere, Jeff and Will emailed us an idea for The Boroughs: a story about retirees and monsters. They were adamant that — unlike so many stories about older characters — this wouldn’t treat aging as a punchline. Instead, it would treat its characters as real people facing real challenges… along with a few supernatural ones. It was exactly the show we’d been dreaming of.

While the characters are a little older than the kids in Stranger Things (they ride golf carts instead of bikes), the spirit is very much the same. At its core, this is a story about belonging and growing up — no matter your age — filled with adventure, wonder, comedy, scares, and tears.

And most importantly, you’re going to fall in love with these characters.

Watching legends like Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, Denis O’Hare, and Bill Pullman bring them to life was genuinely magical. The monsters are very cool — but it’s the characters who will stay with you.”

ABOUT THE BOROUGHS

In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a grieving newcomer’s monstrous encounter inspires him to join a misfit crew of unlikely heroes who uncover a dark secret that proves their “golden years” are more dangerous, and they are more formidable, than anyone expects.

More About THE BOROUGHS
Premiere Date: May 21, 2026

Logline: In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a grieving newcomer’s monstrous encounter inspires him to join a misfit crew of unlikely heroes who uncover a dark secret that proves their “golden years” are more dangerous, and they are more formidable, than anyone expects.

Premiere Date: May 21, 2026

Format: 8 episodes

Showrunners/Creators/Executive Producers: Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews

Executive Producers: The Duffer Brothers and Hilary Leavitt for Upside Down Pictures, Ben Taylor

Directors: Ben Taylor (101, 102), Augustine Frizzell (103, 104, 107, & 108), Kyle Patrick Alvarez (105, 106)

Director Of Photography: Matthew Jensen (101, 102, 105, 106), Michelle Lawler (103, 104, 107, 108)

Editors: Noëmi Preiswerk (101, 105, 107, 108), Jonathan Alberts (102), Cindy Mollo (103, 106), Christopher Nelson (104, 107), Misha Syeed (107)

Production Designer: Ruth Ammon

Costume Designer: Cristina Spiridakis

Hair Department Head: Lawrence Davis

Makeup Department Head: Leo Satkovich

Music Supervisor: Nora Felder

Composer: John Paesano

Casting: Carmen Cuba

Starring: Alfred Molina (Sam), Geena Davis (Renee), Alfre Woodard (Judy), Denis O’Hare (Wally), Clarke Peters (Art), Bill Pullman (Jack), Carlos Miranda (Paz), Jena Malone (Claire), Seth Numrich (Blaine), Alice Kremelberg (Anneliese)

Additional Cast: Ed Begley Jr. (Edward), Dee Wallace (Grace), Eric Edelstein (Hank), Rafael Casal (Neil), Mousa Hussein Kraish (Dr. McGinnis), Beth Bailey (Kayleigh), Karan Soni (Toby) with Jane Kaczmarek (Lilly) and more.

Filming Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico