Why Netflix canceled Dead Boy Detectives

Netflix is ​​known for canceling shows early in their run. Sometimes that means a show may not make it past a few seasons. Truth be told, many of the streamer’s originals are lucky to make it to three seasons. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for these programs to become one-offs. Such was the case with “Dead Boy Detectives,” a television show set in one of the strangest corners of the DC Universe. Despite those ties to DC, it lasted only one season. But why?

“Dead Boy Detectives” was a spin-off of the “Doom Patrol” universe, but was also part of Netflix’s “The Sandman” universe. “Doom Patrol” always had a strange place in the DC Universe and eventually gave rise to a spin-off that took place in a different universe. In any case, the series arrived at a time when DC was in flux, trying to get its things together on both the big and small screens.

Originally, “Dead Boy Detectives” was in development at HBO Max before changing its name to Max. As things began to change behind the scenes, the show ended up being sold to Netflix, as part of a growing universe of shows based on the works of writer Neil Gaiman. It made sense on paper. Unfortunately, once the program arrived, it didn’t exactly work.

Variety reported in August of this year that Netflix had canceled “Dead Boy Detectives” after just one season. It didn’t take long for the powers that be to make the decision either, as the show premiered in April. As the outlet noted at the time, the show peaked at number two on Netflix’s most-watched television charts, logging 3.1 million views in its first three days. Unfortunately, it dropped out of the top ten of the charts entirely by the end of its third week. That was undoubtedly the most important factor at play in his early demise.

“Dead Boy Detectives” centers on Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), “the brains” and “brains” of the Dead Boy Detectives agency. The teenagers were born decades apart and met in death, becoming best friends who turn out to be ghosts. Now they solve mysteries with the help of a clairvoyant named Crystal (Kassius Nelson) and her friend Niko (Yuyu Kitamura).

The series was developed for television by Steve Yockey, who serves as co-showrunner alongside Beth Schwartz. Television mega-producer Greg Berlanti, one of the main architects of The CW’s Arrowverse, was also on board. Unfortunately for Yockey and the team, “Dead Boy Detectives” had a rocky road in development, starting out as a backdoor pilot on “Doom Patrol” before being set up for HBO Max and eventually sold to Netflix.

Another problem is that the program probably wasn’t cheap. Gaiman previously explained that “The Sandman” season 2 might not happen because the show was too expensive. That show was renewed, but it also had a much larger audience. For Netflix, it’s about how much attention a show receives from its subscriber base, while weighing it against the cost of producing said show. “Dead Boy Detectives” apparently didn’t clear that bar.

The other thing to consider is that Gaiman was accused of sexual misconduct in early July of this year. Several productions based on the author’s works were subsequently stopped, according to the guardian. That may have influenced Netflix’s decision as well. Although critics really liked the show, that wasn’t enough to overcome everything else at stake.

“Dead Boy Detectives” is streaming now on Netflix.