Shadow and Bone is a 2021 American fantasy television series created by Eric Heisserer for Netflix. The main actors include Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes, and Archie Renaux, with Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, and Kit Young in supporting roles. Based on the books by Leigh Bardugo, the series is set in the Grishaverse, a fictional world. It follows Alina Starkov (played by Mei Li), an orphan and mapmaker who learns she is a Grisha, a person with magical powers, and discovers she holds the key to saving her war-torn world.

The first season, which is based on Bardugo’s novel Shadow and Bone (2012), began on April 23, 2021. It also includes a new story about the Crows, a criminal group from Bardugo’s Six of Crows series.

Shadow and Bone received mostly good reviews, with praise for its detailed world and cast. However, some viewers said the story moved too slowly. After the first season’s success, Netflix decided to make a second season, which started on March 16, 2023. This season included stories from Siege and Storm (2013), Ruin and Rising (2014), and parts of Crooked Kingdom (2016). Despite fan support, the show was canceled after two seasons in November 2023.

Premise and world

The series takes place in the Grishaverse, which includes the countries of Ravka, Fjerda, Shu Han, Kerch, Novyi Zem, and the Wandering Isle. Each country is inspired by real-world nations and includes details about language, culture, and traditions from different times in history. In the Grishaverse, there is a group of people called "magic-users." These individuals, known as Grisha, practice a special skill called "The Small Science," which allows them to change matter at the molecular level.

Ravka is where most Grisha live. They are often found as children by traveling Grisha testers and are taken to train in Ravka's Second Army. Ravka is one of the few places where Grisha can live safely without being harmed. During their training, Grisha are divided into three groups based on their abilities in The Small Science:

• Etherealki: People who control natural elements like wind, water, and fire;
• Materialki: People who shape materials such as metal and glass;
• Corporalki: People who heal others or can affect the human body.

Ravka is divided into two regions by the Shadow Fold, also called "The Fold," which is a large, dark area filled with dangerous creatures. The Fold was created centuries ago by a Grisha known as the Black Heretic. Ravka is at war with the northern country of Fjerda, while the western part of Ravka wants to become independent. General Kirigan, also known as The Darkling, leads Ravka's Second Army and is searching for the Sun Summoner, the only person who can destroy the Fold and possibly reunite Ravka.

In the first episode of the series, Alina Starkov, a mapmaker in Ravka's First Army, is discovered to be the Sun Summoner, a person long predicted in stories. This revelation starts a series of events that affect the entire Grishaverse. As Alina learns about her new role, she becomes a target for different groups. Kaz Brekker, the leader of a criminal group called the Crows in Ketterdam, is hired to capture her. At the same time, Fjerdan witch hunters, who aim to kill Grisha, also try to harm her. Alina must deal with changing alliances and hidden dangers while learning to use her powers and save Ravka.

Cast and characters

• Jessie Mei Li plays Alina Starkov, an orphan and former assistant cartographer in the Royal Corps of Surveyors in the First Army. She discovers she is the Sun Summoner, a Grisha with the rare ability to summon light. In the series, Alina is changed to be half-Shu (one parent from Shu-Han). Kaylan Teague plays Young Alina, who appears in season 1.
• Archie Renaux plays Malyen "Mal" Oretsev, an orphan tracker in the First Army and Alina's childhood friend and love interest. Cody Molko plays Young Mal, who appears in season 1.
• Freddy Carter plays Kaz Brekker, leader of the Crows, known as Dirtyhands and the Bastard of the Barrel. Fflyn Edwards plays Young Kaz, who appears in season 2.
• Amita Suman plays Inej Ghafa, a Suli former indentured servant. She is a member of the Crows and is called the Wraith.
• Kit Young plays Jesper Fahey, a member of the Crows who is a skilled Zemeni sharpshooter.
• Ben Barnes plays General Aleksander Kirigan, the Shadow Summoner and The Black Heretic.
• Zoë Wanamaker plays Baghra, Alina's Grisha teacher and Aleksander's mother.
• Patrick Gibson plays Sturmhond / Nikolai Lantsov (season 2), a privateer who becomes the second Prince of Ravka.
• Daisy Head plays Genya Safin (season 2; appears in season 1), a Grisha Healer and Tailor who befriends Alina. She falls in love with David Kostyk.
• Danielle Galligan plays Nina Zenik (season 2; appears in season 1), a Heartrender and Grisha Tailor who is captured by Fjerdans. She later falls in love with her captor, Matthias Helvar, and joins the Crows.
• Calahan Skogman plays Matthias Helvar (season 2; appears in season 1), a Fjerdan Drüskelle (witch-hunter) who captures Nina but later falls in love with her.
• Lewis Tan plays Tolya Yul-Bataar (season 2), a Shu Heartrender loyal to Nikolai and Alina. He is Tamar's brother.
• Jack Wolfe plays Wylan Hendricks (season 2), an alchemist who becomes the Crows' demolitions expert. He is Jesper's love interest.
• Anna Leong Brophy plays Tamar Kir-Bataar (season 2), a Shu Heartrender loyal to Nikolai and Alina. She is Tolya's sister.

• Andy Burse plays Dubrov (season 1), a tracker in the First Army and Mal's friend.
• Tom Weston-Jones plays General Zlatan (season 1), a general in the First Army.
• Sujaya Dasgupta plays Zoya, a Squaller (wind Summoner) who serves under General Kirigan and is jealous of Alina but later becomes an ally.
• Elizabeth Rider plays Ana Kuya (season 1).
• Hugo Speer plays Lieutenant Bohdan (season 1; guest in season 2).
• Angus Castle-Doughty plays Mikhael (season 1), a tracker in the First Army and Mal's friend.
• Simon Sears plays Ivan (season 1), a Heartrender who serves under General Kirigan. He is Feydor's lover.
• Howard Charles plays Arken (season 1), the Conductor who smuggles people across the Fold.
• Julian Kostov plays Feydor (season 1), a Heartrender who serves under General Kirigan. He is Ivan's lover.
• Jasmine Blackborow plays Marie (season 1), an Inferni (fire Summoner) who befriends Alina.
• Gabrielle Brooks (season 1) and Joanna McGibbon (season 2) play Nadia, a Squaller who befriends Alina. She is Tamar's love interest.
• Luke Pasqualino plays David Kostyk, a Durast who crafts weapons and gadgets for the Grisha. He is Genya's love interest.
• Gareth Turkington plays Feliks (season 1).
• Dean Lennox Kelly plays Pekka Rollins (season 2; guest in season 1), the leader of the Dime Lions gang in Ketterdam and Kaz's enemy.
• Tommy Rodger plays Jordie (season 2), Kaz's older brother.
• Iliasz Shweirif plays Doughty (season 2).
• Shobhit Piasa plays Vladim (season 2).
• Thue Ersted Rasmussen plays Ahlgren (season 2).
• Rachel Redford plays Fruszi (season 2).
• Keir Charles plays Colonel Raevsky (season 2).
• Alistair Nwachukwu plays Adrik (season 2), Nadia's brother.

• David Wurawa plays Edyck.
• Kevin Eldon plays The Apparat, the spiritual advisor to the King of Ravka.
• David Verrey plays King Pyotr.
• Georgia Reece plays Queen Tatiana.
• James Jaysen Bryhan plays The Archivist, a magical character who works in the archives.

Production

In January 2019, Netflix announced that it would produce an eight-episode first season of Shadow and Bone. Eric Heisserer was the head of the project, the creator, the main writer, and an executive producer. The series was made under Netflix's agreement with 21 Laps Entertainment, with Shawn Levy as an executive producer. Other executive producers included Leigh Bardugo, Pouya Shahbazian, Dan Levine, Dan Cohen, and Josh Barry. On October 2, 2019, it was confirmed that Lee Toland Krieger would direct the first episode.

In June 2021, the series was renewed for an eight-episode second season. Production for the second season officially began in January 2022. By December 2022, it was reported that the second season would include stories from Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising, completing the main trilogy from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse.

After the second season was released, Heisserer said that scripts for a possible spin-off series about the Crows had already been written. However, he said the future of Shadow and Bone and any spin-offs would depend on how many people watched the second season. On November 15, 2023, Netflix canceled Shadow and Bone after two seasons. Plans for the Crows spin-off were also stopped.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Leigh Bardugo said that David J. Peterson, who created fictional languages for shows like Game of Thrones, would develop the languages for the Grishaverse in Shadow and Bone. Christian Thalmann also helped create these languages.

Casting for Shadow and Bone began in April 2019, with auditions for the lead role of Alina Starkov. On October 2, 2019, it was announced that Jessie Mei Li would play Alina, with Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, Archie Renaux, Amita Suman, and Kit Young as key supporting actors. Other cast members included Sujaya Dasgupta, Danielle Galligan, Daisy Head, and Simon Sears.

A second round of casting was announced on December 18, 2019, adding Calahan Skogman, Zoë Wanamaker, Kevin Eldon, Julian Kostov, Luke Pasqualino, Jasmine Blackborow, and Gabrielle Brooks to the recurring cast. Leigh Bardugo, the author of the book series, was also scheduled to appear as a Materialki Durast in the third episode of the season.

Characters Nikolai Lantsov and Wylan Van Eck were not in the first season but were introduced in the second. On January 13, 2022, Lewis Tan, Patrick Gibson, Anna Leong Brophy, and Jack Wolfe joined the cast for the second season. Daisy Head, Danielle Galligan, and Calahan Skogman were promoted to series regulars. Additional cast members added in November 2022 included Tommy Rodger, Rhoda Ofori-Attah, Alistair Nwachukwu, Tumi Fani-Kayode, and Seamus O'Hara.

Main filming for the first season of Shadow and Bone took place in Budapest and Keszthely, Hungary, starting in October 2019 and ending in February 2020. Additional filming occurred in Vancouver in September 2020.

The set for Ketterdam was built at Origo Studios. Key scenes in Budapest included the Ethnographic Museum (used as the Grand Palace throne room), Buda Castle (for the Royal Archives exterior and Grisha training grounds), the old Stock Exchange (for the Royal Archives interior), and the main square (as Novokribirsk).

Other locations included Festetics Palace (for the Little Palace and winter fete), the Amadé–Bajzáth–Pappenheim Mansion (as the Keramzin orphanage), Szentendre (as Ryevost and Chernast), and the Royal Palace of Gödöllő (for the stable and chapel). The flashback scene of the Black Heretic creating the Shadow Fold was filmed at the ruined Széchényi–Wenckheim mansion in Békéscsaba.

Filming for the second season began in early January 2022 and ended on June 6, 2022.

Post-production for Shadow and Bone started after filming ended in February 2020. In June 2020, Leigh Bardugo said that the post-production process was slower due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the release date uncertain. Ted Rae was the VFX supervisor for the series.

Joseph Trapanese composed the score for Shadow and Bone. Eric Heisserer and Leigh Bardugo shared parts of the score during a panel at New York Comic Con in October 2020. By December 16, 2020, Josh Barry confirmed that the final sound mix was completed.

Trapanese worked on the score for 11 months. In an interview, he explained how he created the score during lockdown, using Zoom to conduct an orchestra and adding solo recordings. The music was inspired by Russian and Slavic traditions, including works by Sergei Prokofiev and traditional folk songs. Trapanese also included elements from other musical styles, such as gamelan, to make the soundtrack more diverse.

Marketing and release

Netflix shared a teaser for Season One in December 2020. In January 2021, promotional pictures and main character posters were released through Entertainment Weekly. In February 2021, Leigh Bardugo, Eric Heisserer, and the six main cast members spoke on a panel at the IGN Fan Fest. During this event, a teaser trailer and more pictures were shown. The day before the panel, Netflix posted a poster showing the Shadow Fold. The official trailer for Season One was released by Netflix on March 30, 2021, after an accidental release earlier.

In November 2019, Bardugo told SensaCine that the series was expected to air in late 2020. Shadow and Bone premiered on Netflix on April 23, 2021. The next day, Netflix released a special show titled Shadow and Bone – The Afterparty. Season Two of the series was released on March 16, 2023. The official trailer for Season Two was released on February 17, 2023.

Reception

Netflix shared that 55 million households watched the first season of Shadow and Bone within its first 28 days. For season two, Netflix reported that viewers watched the show for 192.9 million hours between January and June 2023. This made it the 26th most-watched show on Netflix during that time, out of 18,000 titles. A report by Eshap found that both seasons combined were watched for 292.4 million hours in the first half of 2023. This ranked the series as number 15 on the list of most-watched shows during that period.

Season two stayed in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for five weeks. It was in the top 10 of 86 countries for up to six weeks after its release. Shadow and Bone ranked number two on the Nielsen charts during its release week. Subscribers watched over 1.14 billion minutes of the show, including episodes from both seasons. It remained among the top 10 original series for four weeks after its premiere. This was slightly shorter than season one’s five-week run, but the total viewing time was similar. According to TheWrap, based on data from Whip Media, Shadow and Bone was number 24 on the list of most-watched series across all streaming platforms in 2023.

Media Play News reported that season two reached 3.1 million unique viewers on Netflix during the week ending April 2, 2023. These viewers spent an average of 169 minutes watching the show.

As of January 2024, Shadow and Bone has a rating of 7.5 out of 10 on IMDb, based on 112,000 ratings. It was number 10 on the list of most-searched shows worldwide on Google in 2023. In January 2024, the show was voted Fan Favorite Series of 2023 on Rotten Tomatoes. It received 54% of the votes, while the other four shows in the top five received only 4% each.

Critics generally praised Shadow and Bone. For the first season, Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 89% approval rating based on 81 reviews, with an average score of 7.4 out of 10. The site’s summary said the show has “gorgeous costumes” and “impressive world-building.” Metacritic gave the first season a score of 68 out of 100, based on 22 reviews, which means it received “generally favorable reviews.”

Ben Travis of Empire gave the first season 3 out of 5 stars. He praised the world-building and the lead characters but noted similarities to Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Game of Thrones. He called some parts “overly confusing” but said the show “draws you into the Fold with its absorbing world-building and engaging lead duo.” Nicole Clark of IGN said the season “captures much of the darker magic” and made “smart changes” to character stories. Molly Freeman of Screen Rant called it a “thrillingly exciting fantasy drama.”

Roxana Hadadi of RogerEbert.com acknowledged the show’s use of familiar young adult fiction themes but praised the cast and fight scenes. She said the show “transcends this familiarity” due to “pitch-perfect casting” and “intentional character development.” Yaameen Al-Muttaqi of The Daily Star praised the show’s darker themes, such as abuse and corruption, but criticized the lack of world-building. Allison Nichols of Tell-Tale TV said viewers unfamiliar with the books might feel confused by storylines unrelated to the main plot.

For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% approval rating based on 24 reviews, with an average score of 6.0 out of 10. The site’s summary said the season “packs in too much story” but is “great fun for fantasy fans.” Metacritic gave the second season a score of 73, based on 8 reviews, which means it received “generally favorable reviews.”

Lacy Baugher Milas of Paste Magazine said the second season was “poorly paced” and “narratively overstuffed,” with too many characters and plotlines. She praised the actors’ performances but noted that the story’s emotional depth was underexplored. Abby Cavenaugh of Collider gave the season a B− rating, calling it “lackluster” but “entertaining.” She linked the fast-paced plot to the adaptation of six books and praised Ben Barnes’ performance as the Darkling. Samantha H. Chung of The Harvard Crimson praised some actors’ performances but criticized the season’s pacing and the underdevelopment of certain characters. She also noted the show’s strong world-building and exploration of Alina’s biracial identity.

Cancellation

Netflix officially stopped the show Shadow and Bone on November 15, 2023, even though it had done well earlier in the year. The series was the 15th most-watched show on Netflix during the first half of 2023, the 10th most searched for worldwide in 2023, and stayed in the top 10 in 86 countries for up to six weeks after it was released. Netflix said the decision to cancel the show happened after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike ended.

Eric Heisserer, who led the making of Shadow and Bone, was part of the group that talked about the strike. Many important cast and crew members, including Leigh Bardugo, Ben Barnes, Daeghan Fryklind, Shelley Meals, Christina Strain, Erin Conley, Stacy Milbourn, and Lilly Slaydon, also took part in the labor action. After the show was canceled, some media outlets said Netflix’s decision was a mistake because the series had high viewership numbers.

After Shadow and Bone was canceled, Netflix said it would not continue making the Six of Crows spin-off. The script for the spin-off had already been written and finished before the second season of Shadow and Bone was released. Eric Heisserer shared a short video showing the planned spin-off in a message on Reddit, giving fans a preview of what might have happened.

In response to the cancellation, a petition titled “SAVE Shadow and Bone!!!” was started on Change.org on November 16, 2023. It got more than 120,000 signatures in four days and became the most signed renewal petition on the website in 2023.

A Kickstarter campaign was also started on November 18, 2023, to pay for billboards in Los Angeles and London. The campaign ended on December 23, 2023, and raised $13,882 from 457 people. The billboards were shown on January 23, 2024.