Netflix's Canceled Shadow And Bone Spin-Οff Could Have Been Incredible

This post contains spoilers for Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse.

Netflix has abruptly canceled many of its beloved original series over the years, despite fan outcry, but the most egregious instances of cancellation are stories that ended with intriguing cliffhangers, leaving the fate of these fictional worlds up in the air. One such instance is Netflix's "Shadow and Bone," whose season 2 finale concluded with Sun Summoner Alina (Jessie Mei Li) thwarting an assassination at great personal cost, hinting at a delicious moral dilemma to come. Sadly, we were robbed of a storyline in which Alina gets to navigate the root of her newfound shadow powers, which stand in stark contrast to her Sun Summoner abilities.

Despite its abrupt cancellation, "Shadow and Bone" had a more-than-decent two-season run, and it was able to flesh out the most complex aspects of Leigh Bardugo's novel series with self-assured panache. As expected from any YA fantasy adaptation that needs to draw in fresh audiences, "Shadow and Bone" has its flaws, often leaning on rushed spectacle to raise the stakes. That said, it also boasts a distinct identity within the YA fantasy genre, and features characters brimming with personality and a world that can accommodate moral extremes.

So when the planned "Shadow and Bone" spin-off "Six of Crows" was canceled, fans of the source material (me) were understandably frustrated. You see, "Six of Crows" is the first entry in Bardugo's spin-off duology. The book details the exploits of Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter) and his crew, who have already been introduced (to memorable effect) in Netflix's parent series. If this offshoot story had been given the chance to bloom, "Six of Crows" could've been incredibly successful, as the story contains the right kind of ingredients for a fast-paced heist tale with characters worth rooting for.

Bardugo's Grishaverse is already full of mystery and intrigue. It's a world where some people (known as the Grisha) are born with the ability to manipulate elements — a process that is considered more scientific than magical. In Netflix's "Shadow and Bone," as main protagonist Alina is suddenly expected to do justice to the almost-mythical mantle of the Sun Summoner, the Dregs (Kaz's crew) offer a more grounded perspective of the world. We are swiftly introduced to the strong, deadly Inej (Amita Suman) and the sharpshooting gambler Jesper (Kit Young), who share a complicated dynamic with the ruthless Kaz, the de facto leader of the gang. Alina is supposed to be the show's moral center (despite her flaws), and the Ketterdam trio act as morally gray counterparts, whose intentions seem nobler than the vicious acts they've had to commit just to survive another day.

"Six of Crows" was supposed to explore this uncomfortable absence of morality. The mere idea of three teenagers embroiled in horrifying tragedy and power politics feels sobering enough. However, Bardugo knows how to invest these complicated figures with motivations that lead up to a thrilling arc: a rescue mission that can potentially prevent the exposure of a deadly drug to the world. In no time, we have a heist to pull off, prompting Kaz to recruit more members: Grisha Heartrender Nina (Danielle Galligan), former Fjerdan Grisha-hunter Matthias (Calahan Skogman), and demolitions expert Wylan (Jack Wolfe), who appear throughout the "Shadow and Bone" Netflix series.

With the foundation for these characters already laid down, Netflix would've had an easier time adapting "Six of Crows." Moreover, the drug (known as jurda parem) storyline was directly teased in the season 2 finale, allowing a seamless transition to the Ice Court heist in the spin-off series.

Bardugo's book uses different perspectives to tell a riveting story about conflicting allegiances and inner turmoil, which could've translated rather well into an episodic TV format. What's more, "Six of Crows" is the kind of high fantasy tale that boasts enough depth to put outcast characters front and center, without pitting them against the all-powerful protagonist as she embarks on her own journey. These arcs can co-exist, and even seep into one another, leading up to an offshoot heist adventure about six troubled teenagers who band together in defiance. Sadly, this Netflix-backed spin-off was never meant to be.