The Boroughs Teaser and Art Revealed by Netflix
Netflix has revealed the teaser trailer and art for The Boroughs, a new supernatural series from the executive producers of Stranger Things. The eight-episode series will premiere on May 21, 2026.
In the sun-drenched expanse of the New Mexico desert lies The Boroughs, a picturesque retirement community promising its residents the time of their lives. But for the new arrival, Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), paradise feels more like a prison.
Everything changes when a terrifying nighttime encounter reveals that something monstrous is stalking the manicured cul-de-sacs. Dismissed by the powers that be as just another confused old man, Sam finds unlikely allies in a band of neighborhood misfits: a sharp-witted former journalist, a spiritual seeker, a cynical music manager, and a brilliant doctor running out of options.
Overlooked and underestimated, these unlikely heroes must band together to unravel the dark truth at the heart of The Boroughs before their time runs out.
The cast includes Alfred Molina (Sam), Geena Davis (Renee), Alfre Woodard (Judy), Denis O’Hare (Wally), Clarke Peters (Art), Bill Pullman (Jack), Carlos Miranda (Paz), Jena Malone (Claire), Seth Numrich (Blaine), and Alice Kremelberg (Anneliese).
The additional cast includes Ed Begley Jr. (Edward), Dee Wallace (Grace), Eric Edelstein (Hank), Rafael Casal (Neil), Mousa Hussein Kraish (Dr. McGinnis), Beth Bailey (Kayleigh), Karan Soni (Toby), and Jane Kaczmarek (Lilly).
Jeffery Addiss and Will Matthews are the showrunners, creators, and executive producers of The Boroughs. The executive producers also include the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) and Hilary Leavitt for Upside Down Pictures, as well as Ben Taylor.
The directors are Ben Taylor (episodes 101 and 102), Augustine Frizzell (103, 104, 107, & 108), and Kyle Patrick Alvarez (105, 106).
On making the series, Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews previously said, “When Jeff was a child, all he did was draw monsters, and when Will was a child, he started planning for his retirement. So a show about a group of retirees who fight monsters really plays to both our strengths. The result is an adventure about a group of unlikely heroes that we can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with.
“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.
“According to some very unofficial napkin math, our stars bring something like 350 years of craft to The Boroughs. We knew they would be great. We didn’t expect them to be so fun. They can make you laugh or cry with just a look. Makes it a whole lot easier on us writers.
“Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) is the heart of our story. He recently lost his wife, and he’s trying to figure out what to do with the time he has left. Which is a question we all face. No matter our age. It’s just that the stakes get higher the more years you have under your belt.
“Everyone talks about wanting to make a show that teenagers can watch with their parents. We wanted to make one that teenagers could watch with their parents and their grandparents, that everyone could enjoy.”
The Duffer Brothers added, “For years, we’ve wondered why no one has made a film like Ron Howard’s wonderful Cocoon since, well, Cocoon. Then, out of nowhere, Jeff and Will emailed us an idea for The Boroughs: a story about retirees and monsters.
“They were adamant that — unlike so many stories about older characters — this wouldn’t treat aging as a punchline. Instead, it would treat its characters as real people facing real challenges… along with a few supernatural ones. It was exactly the show we’d been dreaming of.
“While the characters are a little older than the kids in Stranger Things (they ride golf carts instead of bikes), the spirit is very much the same. At its core, this is a story about belonging and growing up — no matter your age — filled with adventure, wonder, comedy, scares, and tears
“And most importantly, you’re going to fall in love with these characters. Watching legends like Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, Denis O’Hare, and Bill Pullman bring them to life was genuinely magical. The monsters are very cool — but it’s the characters who will stay with you.”
The directors of photography include Matthew Jensen (101, 102, 105, 106) and Michelle Lawler (103, 104, 107, 108). The editors are Noëmi Preiswerk (101, 105, 107, 108), Jonathan Alberts (102), Cindy Mollo (103, 106), Christopher Nelson (104, 107), and Misha Syeed (107).
Ruth Ammon is the production designer of The Boroughs; Cristina Spiridakis is the costume designer; Lawrence Davis is the head of the hair department; and Leo Satkovich heads the makeup department.
Nora Felder is the music supervisor, John Paesano composed the music, and Carmen Cuba did the casting for the show. Filming took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
