Shadow and Bone author Leigh Bardugo is sharing her thoughts after news broke that the Netflix fantasy television series adapting her books has been canceled after two seasons.
Bardugo took to Instagram on Wednesday to confirm that Shadow and Bone will not return for a third season, while a hoped-for Six of Crows spinoff is also not moving forward. Based on the Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone centered on orphan cartographer Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), who aims to use her unique gifts to save the war-besieged world.
“The news hit me hard,” Bardugo wrote. “I’m heartbroken and deeply disappointed, but I’m also trying to hold onto my very real gratitude. Most authors never get to see their work adapted. Many who do end up regretting the experience. I’m one of the lucky few who can look at an adaptation with pride and tremendous joy.”
The author, who was an executive producer on the project, went on to express appreciation for the show’s writers, crew, performers and fans. The cast included Archie Renaux, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young and Ben Barnes.
“We’re book people and that means we never stop imagining that magic can be real,” Bardugo continued about the show’s fan base. “Now, I’m going to go have a cry, and maybe a drink, and then see where the story takes us next.”
Among those responding to the message was Barnes, who posted a heart emoji in the comments section.
Along with Shadow and Bone, Netflix has also canceled Glamorous, Agent Elvis, Captain Fall and Farzar amid Hollywood’s return to work after the SAG-AFTRA strike ended last week.
