Shadow and Bone is an American fantasy television series developed by Eric Heisserer for Netflix, starring Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes and Archie Renaux, with Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, and Kit Young in supporting roles. Based on the works of Leigh Bardugo, the series takes place in the Grishaverse fantasy setting and follows Alina Starkov (Li), an orphan and cartographer who discovers she is a Grisha, someone with magical abilities, and the key to saving her war-torn world.
The first season, which adapts Bardugo's novel Shadow and Bone (2012), premiered on April 23, 2021, and also features an original storyline involving the Crows, a criminal gang from Bardugo's Six of Crows duology.
Shadow and Bone received generally positive reviews, with praise for its world-building and cast, but some criticism aimed at its pacing. Following its success, Netflix renewed the show for a second season, which premiered on March 16, 2023, and adapted Siege and Storm (2013), Ruin and Rising (2014), and parts of Crooked Kingdom (2016). Despite growing fan support, Shadow and Bone was canceled after two seasons in November 2023.
Premise and world The series is set in the Grishaverse, which comprises the nations of Ravka, Fjerda, Shu Han, Kerch, Novyi Zem, and the Wandering Isle. Each nation draws inspiration from real-world countries, reflecting elements of language, culture, and tradition from different historical periods. In the Grishaverse, there exists a group of individuals referred to as "magic-users". These people, known as Grisha, are practitioners of what is called "The Small Science", a unique ability that allows each Grisha to manipulate matter at the molecular level.
Ravka is home to most of the Grisha, where they are typically discovered as children by traveling Grisha testers and brought to train in the nation's Second Army. Ravka is one of the few places where Grisha can live without fear of persecution. During their training for the Second Army, Grisha are divided into three orders based on their gift in The Small Science:
Etherealki: Summoners who control natural elements such as wind, water, and fire; Materialki: Fabricators who manipulate materials like metal and glass; Corporalki: Healers and Heartrenders who can manipulate the human body.
The nation of Ravka is geographically divided into two regions, from east to west, by the Shadow Fold (commonly referred to as "The Fold"), a vast area of impenetrable darkness inhabited by terrifying creatures, created centuries earlier by a Grisha known as the Black Heretic. Ravka is embroiled in a war with the northern nation of Fjerda, while its western half seeks independence. General Kirigan, also known as The Darkling, leads Ravka's Second Army and is determined to find the Sun Summoner, the only person capable of destroying the Fold and potentially reuniting Ravka.
In the series' first episode, Alina Starkov, a cartographer in Ravka's First Army, is revealed to be the long-prophesied Sun Summoner, which sets off a chain of events that affect the entire Grishaverse. As Alina begins to come to terms with her newfound identity, she becomes the target of multiple factions. Kaz Brekker, the leader of the criminal gang known as the Crows in Ketterdam, is hired to capture her, while Fjerdan witch hunters—dedicated to eliminating Grisha—seek to kill her. Alina must navigate a world of shifting allegiances and hidden threats as she struggles to harness her powers and save Ravka.
Cast and characters
Main Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov, an orphan and former assistant cartographer of the Royal Corps of Surveyors in the First Army. She discovers that she is the Sun Summoner, a Grisha with the rare ability to summon light. Alina was reimagined as half-Shu (having had one parent from Shu-Han) in the series. Kaylan Teague as Young Alina (recurring season 1) Archie Renaux as Malyen "Mal" Oretsev, an orphan tracker in the First Army and Alina's childhood best friend and love interest. Cody Molko as Young Mal (recurring season 1) Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker, leader of the Crows, known as Dirtyhands and the Bastard of the Barrel. Fflyn Edwards as Young Kaz (recurring season 2) Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa, a Suli former indentured prostitute. She is a member of the Crows and is known as the Wraith. Kit Young as Jesper Fahey, member of the Crows who is a skilled Zemeni sharpshooter. Ben Barnes as General Aleksander Kirigan, the Shadow Summoner and The Black Heretic. Zoë Wanamaker as Baghra, Alina's Grisha teacher and Aleksander's mother. Patrick Gibson as Sturmhond / Nikolai Lantsov (season 2), a privateer who is later revealed to be the second Prince of Ravka. Daisy Head as Genya Safin (season 2; recurring season 1), A Grisha Healer and Tailor, who befriends Alina. She falls in love with David Kostyk. Danielle Galligan as Nina Zenik (season 2; recurring season 1), a Heartrender and Grisha Tailor, who is taken captive by Fjerdans. She later falls in love with her captor Matthias Helvar and becomes a member of the Crows. Calahan Skogman as Matthias Helvar (season 2; recurring season 1), a Fjerdan Drüskelle (witch-hunter), who takes part in Nina's capture but later falls in love with her. Lewis Tan as Tolya Yul-Bataar (season 2) a Shu Heartrender loyal to Nikolai and Alina. Tamar's brother. Jack Wolfe as Wylan Hendricks (season 2), an alchemist who reluctantly becomes the Crows' demolitions expert. Jesper's love interest. Anna Leong Brophy as Tamar Kir-Bataar, (season 2) a Shu Heartrender loyal to Nikolai and Alina. Tolya's sister.
Recurring
Andy Burse as Dubrov (season 1), a tracker in the First Army and Mal's friend. Tom Weston-Jones as General Zlatan (season 1), a general of the First Army. Sujaya Dasgupta as Zoya, a Squaller (wind Summoner), who serves under Gen. Kirigan as his favourite and who is jealous of Alina but later becomes a valued ally. Elizabeth Rider as Ana Kuya (season 1). Hugo Speer as Lieutenant Bohdan (season 1; guest season 2). Angus Castle-Doughty as Mikhael (season 1), a tracker in the First Army and Mal's friend. Simon Sears as Ivan (season 1), a Heartrender, who serves under Gen. Kirigan. Feydor's lover. Howard Charles as Arken (season 1), the Conductor, who smuggles people across the Fold. Julian Kostov as Fedyor (season 1), a Heartrender, who serves under Gen. Kirigan. Ivan's lover. Jasmine Blackborow as Marie (season 1), an Inferni (fire Summoner), who befriends Alina. Gabrielle Brooks (season 1) and Joanna McGibbon (season 2) as Nadia, a Squaller, who also befriends Alina. Tamar's love interest. Luke Pasqualino as David Kostyk. As a Durast, he crafts weapons and other gadgets for the Grisha. Genya's love interest. Gareth Turkington as Feliks (season 1). Dean Lennox Kelly as Pekka Rollins (season 2; guest season 1), the ruthless leader of the Dime Lions gang in Ketterdam and Kaz's foe. Tommy Rodger as Jordie (season 2), Kaz' older brother. Iliasz Shweirif as Doughty (season 2). Shobhit Piasa as Vladim (season 2). Thue Ersted Rasmussen as Ahlgren (season 2). Rachel Redford as Fruszi (season 2). Keir Charles as Colonel Raevsky (season 2). Alistair Nwachukwu as Adrik (season 2), Nadia's brother.
Guest David Wurawa as Edyck. Kevin Eldon as The Apparat, the spiritual advisor to the King of Ravka. David Verrey as King Pyotr. Georgia Reece as Queen Tatiana. James Jaysen Bryhan as The Archivist, a magical character, part of the archives.
Episodes
Season 1 (2021)
Season 2 (2023)
Production
Development In January 2019, Netflix announced a series order for an eight-episode first season of Shadow and Bone, with Eric Heisserer serving as showrunner, creator, head writer, and executive producer. The series is produced under Netflix's deal with 21 Laps Entertainment, with Shawn Levy executive producing. 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 pilot 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 not only adapt Siege and Storm but also cover elements from Ruin and Rising, completing Leigh Bardugo's main Grishaverse trilogy.
Following the release of season two, Heisserer revealed that scripts for a potential spin-off series centered on the Crows were already written. However, he emphasized that the future of Shadow and Bone and any spin-offs would depend on the viewership of season two. On November 15, 2023, Netflix canceled Shadow and Bone after two seasons. Plans for the Crows spin-off were subsequently abandoned as well.
Language In a panel discussion led by Petra Mayer, NPR books editor, at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Leigh Bardugo revealed that David J. Peterson, known for his work on creating fictional languages for shows like Game of Thrones, would be developing the languages for the Grishaverse in Shadow and Bone. Christian Thalmann was also involved in contributing to the creation of these fictional languages.
Casting Casting for Shadow and Bone began in April 2019, with auditions for the lead role of Alina Starkov. On October 2, 2019, it was officially announced that Jessie Mei Li would star as Alina, with Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, Archie Renaux, Amita Suman and Kit Young joining as key supporting actors. Additional cast members included Sujaya Dasgupta, Danielle Galligan, Daisy Head and Simon Sears.
A second round of casting was announced on December 18, 2019, which brought 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 for a cameo appearance as a Materialki Durast in the third episode of the season.
While prominent characters Nikolai Lantsov and Wylan Van Eck were absent from the first season, they were introduced in the second season. On January 13, 2022, Lewis Tan, Patrick Gibson, Anna Leong Brophy and Jack Wolfe were officially added to the cast for the second season, with Daisy Head, Danielle Galligan, and Calahan Skogman promoted to series regulars. Further new cast members were confirmed in November 2022, including Tommy Rodger, Rhoda Ofori-Attah, Alistair Nwachukwu, Tumi Fani-Kayode, and Seamus O'Hara.
Filming and locations
Principal photography for the first season of Shadow and Bone commenced on location in and around Budapest and Keszthely, Hungary, in October 2019 and concluded at the end of February 2020. Additional shoots took place in Vancouver in September 2020.
The set for Ketterdam was constructed at Origo Studios. Several locations around Budapest were used for key scenes, including the Ethnographic Museum (used as the Grand Palace throne room), Buda Castle (for the Royal Archives exterior and its medieval rondella for the Grisha training grounds and Os Alta gates), the old Stock Exchange (for the Royal Archives interior), and the main square (as Novokribirsk).
Outside of Budapest, Festetics Palace was used for both the exterior and interior of the Little Palace, with the winter fete taking place in its concert hall. Other filming locations included the Amadé–Bajzáth–Pappenheim Mansion (as the Keramzin orphanage), the town of Szentendre (depicting Ryevost), its open-air museum (as Chernast), and the Royal Palace of Gödöllő (used for the stable and chapel). The flashback scene where the Black Heretic creates the Shadow Fold was filmed at the ruined Széchényi–Wenckheim mansion in Békéscsaba.
Filming for the second season began in early January 2022 and wrapped on June 6, 2022.
Post-production