WithStranger Thingscoming to an end later this year, it’s a genuine shame Netflix canceled its perfect replacement after just one season.Stranger Thingshas been Netflix’s flagship show since its premiere in 2016. While other shows, likeBridgertonandWednesday, have matched or even outperformedStranger Thingsin viewership, few Netflix Originals have had the same cultural impact.
Stranger Things’iconic combination of ’80s nostalgia, supernatural mysteries, kids and teens fighting monsters, government conspiracies, and unique character dynamics helped cement the Duffer Brothers' creation as one of the biggest shows of the 21st century. There are other shows, though, even on Netflix, with a similar feel. One of those deserved another season.
If you’re anxious aboutStranger Things’upcoming finale, this is the perfect time to (re)discoverLockwood & Co.
Lockwood & Co. Is Perfect For Fans Of Stranger Things
Both Shows Are Great Supernatural Dramas
Lockwood & Co., based on the book series of the same name by Jonathan Stroud, debuted on Netflix in 2023. Set in the UK,Lockwood & Co.tells the story of a country overrun by ghosts; ghosts that only children and young teens can see, and therefore, fight. Kids are trained and work as “agents,” putting their lives on the line each night to fight the paranormal.
Of course, adults still think they’re in charge. They’re the ones who run the psychic detection agencies, with the most prestigious institutions headquartered in London. There’s one little, independent agency run solely by kids, however: Lockwood & Co., owned and operated by Anthony Lockwood (Cameron Chapman), George Karim (Ali Hadji-Heshmati), and Lucy Carlyle (Ruby Stokes).
Anthony is their leader, George is their researcher, and Lucy has a rare talent for speaking with ghosts.Much like inStranger Things,Lockwood & Co.’s paranormal mystery becomes increasingly complex as the story evolves. Adults tamper with supernatural forces they don’t understand, conspiracies are unraveled, parallel dimensions are discovered, and a young girl’s powers become stronger and more dangerous the more she learns.
As you watchLockwood & Co.season 1, you’ll learn to love the Lockwood team as much as you love the Party fromStranger Things.
While there’s a little less body horror involved inLockwood & Co.(especially in comparison toStranger Thingsseason 3),the horror aspect is an important part of the show’s appeal.The last few episodes, especially, are incredibly creepy.
As you watchLockwood & Co.season 1, you’ll learn to love the Lockwood team as much as you love the Party fromStranger Things.Their friendships are realistic and honest. They’re bonded together by trauma, by being forced to fight something they’re in no way prepared for, by saving theirs and their friends' lives night after night.
Lockwood & Co. Was Another Casualty Of Netflix’s Cancelation Spree
Some Shows Need A Bit Longer To Find An Audience
Sadly,Lockwood & Co.was canceled by Netflixafter one season, despite hitting the number one spot on their Top 10 list in 18 countries in its first week. The worst part ofLockwood & Co.’s cancellation is that it wasn’t even all that surprising.Netflix is famous for canceling shows after one season, even when they have real potential.
Some shows need time to grow an audience, but Netflix’s continued reliance on the binge-watch model doesn’t give many originals the space to find their audience organically.Lockwood & Co.’s cancellation was especially egregious, though, asNetflix later announced it would be releasingDead Boy Detectives, another “paranormal ghost agency” kind of show featuring teens.Dead Boy Detectiveswas also canceled after one season.
Both viewers and critics alike were impressed withLockwood & Co., each side giving the British series a 94% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.It’s genuinely one of the strongest book adaptations I’ve seen, cleverly combining the story from Jonathan Stroud’s first two novels into one.Realistically, the show would only have needed two more seasons to complete the saga.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, andLockwood & Co.joined a slew of other younger-skewing supernatural dramas canceled after one season,including but not limited toFirst Kill, The Midnight Club, Julie & The Phantoms, The Imperfects, The Irregulars, Archive 81, I Am Not Okay With This,andThe Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.
If You Loved Lockwood & Co. Season 1, You Can Still Find Out How The Story Continues
Jonathan Stroud’s Books Are A Great Read
Yes,Lockwood & Co.does end on a cliffhanger. The show set up plot threads for season 2 and beyond, and I understand how frustrating it is to become invested in a Netflix show only to have the rug pulled out from under you. Thankfully,Lockwood & Co.is in a different position. Unlike many other canceled streaming shows, you’re able to still find out exactly what happens next.
Stroud’sLockwood & Co.series consists of five full-length novels and one short story. The first season combines the first two books, but if you are interested in reading them, I’d recommend starting from the beginning to get the full picture. The show made a few changes to Lucy’s backstory that don’t exist in the source material, and there’s a bit more detail that will become important later on.
2014
2015
The Dagger in the Desk(short story)
2016
The Empty Grave
2017
Even though the books are targeted towards young adults, they never feel condescending or simplistic. Stroud’s worldbuilding is immaculate, and the storytelling is intricate.Lockwood & Co.is a rewarding read and watch, whether you’re simply looking for a new book series to enjoy, hoping to find out what’s in thatlocked room in Anthony’s house, or biding your time while you wait forStranger Thingsto return.
Stranger Thingsseason 5 premieres on Netflix on July 29, 2025. The rest of the season arrives on December 25 and December 31 in the US.
Stranger Things
Cast
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
Lockwood & Co.
Based on the novels by Jonathan Stroud, Lockwood & Co. is a supernatural detective action series that centers around a small agency of paranormal investigators that face off with dangerous spirits. The only teenage-operated agency, Lockwood & Co., hosts three gifted hunters who operate outside the bureaucracy that holds back their competitors. With minimal resources and nothing to lose, the three teenagers will find themselves in a deadly conspiracy that only they can stop.
