If you love a gripping new drama with heart, atmosphere and a few deliciously eerie twists, Netflix’s new series The Boroughs deserves a spot on your watchlist.
From the producers of Stranger Things, this supernatural mystery swaps teenage heroes for a group of retirees – and proves that courage, curiosity and adventure don’t fade with age.
Here’s why it deserves to be your next Netflix watch.
A peaceful community… with a dark secret
The show is set in an idyllic retirement community in New Mexico and begins with a familiar scene: neat streets, friendly faces and neighbours who know one another by name. It’s the sort of place many retirees would be happy to call home.
But beneath the calm exterior, something isn’t quite right.
Strange incidents begin to ripple through the neighbourhood. Small at first, these occurrences are easily dismissed. But before long, it’s clear there’s something far more unsettling at work. Time seems to bend in odd ways. Secrets begin to surface. And a sense of unease settles over the once‑tranquil community.
Rather than stand back, a small group of residents decide to investigate. They may have believed their days of high drama were behind them, but it seems life has other plans.
A refreshing twist on the genre
While comparisons to Stranger Things are inevitable (thanks to executive producers The Duffer Brothers), The Boroughs offers something refreshingly different.
Instead of teenagers stumbling into the unknown, this series centres on characters who have lived full, rich lives. They bring experience, wisdom and resilience to the mystery unfolding around them and that makes the stakes feel all the more powerful.
When talking about the series The Duffer Brothers said; “While the heroes in The Boroughs have a few more years on them than the kids from Stranger Things, they are a similarly lovable bunch of misfits, and we can’t wait for you to join them on an adventure that is at turns scary, funny, and deeply touching.”
The Boroughs co‑creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (best known for The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) told Tudum about the challenge they faced making this series.
“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.”
Who’s in The Boroughs cast?
Alfred Molina (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Three Pines) plays Sam.
Geena Davis (Thelma and Louise, A League of Their Own) plays Renee.
Alfre Woodard (Clemency, Salem’s Lot) plays Judy.
Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story,This Is Us) plays Wally.
Clarke Peters (The Wire, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) plays Art.
Bill Pullman (The Sinner, Independence Day) plays Jack.
Jena Malone (Love Lies Bleeding, The Hunger Games) plays Claire.
Carlos Miranda (Station 19, Vida) plays Paz.
Seth Numrich (Under the Banner of Heaven, Turn) plays Blaine.
Alice Kremelberg (The Sinner, Renegade Nell) plays Anneliese.
Rafael Casal (Loki, Blindspotting) plays Neil.
Dee Wallace (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Cujo) plays Grace.
Ed Begley Jr. (Young Sheldon, Better Call Saul) plays Edward.
Jane Kaczmarek (Malcom in the Middle, The Changeling) plays Lilly.
Eric Edelstein (Twin Peaks: The Return, Minx) plays Hank.
Mousa Hussein Kraish (American Gods, Your Lucky Day) plays Dr. McGinnis.
Beth Bailey (Outer Range, Manhattan, The Harder They Fall) plays Kayleigh.
Where was The Boroughs filmed?
Although The Boroughs is set in a retirement community in New Mexico, it was also filmed there, with production taking place in Albuquerque.
But this is not just a case of clever camera angles. Much of the show’s charming, and slightly eerie, community was specially built for the series.
Production designer Ruth Ammon and her team created an entire world from the ground up. In fact, eight houses were constructed on a back lot to form Sam’s cul‑de‑sac. The show’s “downtown” area, including The Boroughs itself and its shops, was also purpose-built.
Co‑creator Jeffrey Addiss has said that the level of detail is remarkable, explaining that the shops were fully functional. You could even walk in and switch on the coffee machines. Every detail of the community was carefully considered to make it feel authentic and lived in.
His fellow creator, Will Matthews, also praised Ammon’s work, noting that as writers, you do not always stop to think about who will physically build the places you imagine, until someone like Ruth comes along with a vision and brings it beautifully to life.
When and where can I watch The Boroughs?
All eight episodes of The boroughs are available to stream on Netflix now.
Claire Tapley is a digital editor for Yours.co.uk. She is a journalist with over 18 years' experience writing for women over 50. Before moving to Yours.co.uk, she was deputy editor of Yours magazine for nine years. Claire is extremely passionate about all things TV related, with her favourite shows including Traitors, Strictly and The Great British Bake Off.