Netflix's latest sci-fi hit, The Boroughs, has been drawing comparisons to Stranger Things since its debut—and not just because both come from the Duffer Brothers' Upside Down Pictures. The Season 1 finale of The Boroughs ends with a chilling visual that fans of the Hawkins crew will instantly recognize: a glitching mirror and a collapsing black hole. In a recent interview with Collider, stars Geena Davis, Denis O'Hare, and Clarke Peters unpacked that final shot and what it could mean for the show's future.
The Glitch in the Mirror: A Familiar Warning
In the final moments of Episode 8, retiree Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) looks into a mirror—and his reflection glitches. It's a subtle but unmistakable callback to Stranger Things, where similar visual distortions signaled the presence of the Upside Down. O'Hare, who plays Wally, says the happy ending felt too neat. "The ending is too nice. It's too jovial. It's too normal," he explains. "When you see that glitch, you're like, 'Ah, right. Things are not solved. Things are not back to normal. Things are still dangerous.'" Davis, who plays Renee, agrees: "The characters think it's all over, 'We won,' but yeah." Peters adds that even Sam doesn't notice the glitch, which makes it even more ominous.
The Black Hole: A Portal to More Trouble?
The episode's final frame shows a collapsing black hole—a visual that left even the cast asking questions. O'Hare notes that the show's visual style is "really another character," pointing to the eerie first shot of the series. The black hole, like the glitch, suggests that the threat in The Boroughs is far from vanquished. For fans of Netflix's action hits, this kind of cliffhanger is a familiar tease for a second season.
What the Cast Knows About Season 2
When asked how much they've been told about future seasons, the trio's answer was unanimous: nothing. Peters laughs, "I got, 'They're going to tell you nothing.'" Davis echoes, "They tell you nothing. I don't know anything about next season." Peters adds that the industry has become so secretive that even actors get sides with no context. "No one wants to reveal anything, even to the people that they want to hire." So, for now, fans will have to speculate—just like the cast.
Career Reflections and Next-Watch Picks
The interview also touched on the actors' legendary careers. For newcomers who discover them through The Boroughs, each star has a recommendation. O'Hare suggests True Blood, where he played Russell Edgington. Peters points to Treme, citing its mysticism as a thematic link to The Boroughs. Davis, ever humble, downplays a Thelma & Louise callback in Episode 5 but recommends The Long Kiss Goodnight—and, of course, Thelma & Louise itself. "It holds up. It's 35 years later, but it really does," she says.
What's Next for The Boroughs?
With its blend of Spielbergian wonder and creeping dread, The Boroughs has already carved out its own identity—even as it nods to its Duffer Brothers predecessor. The glitch and black hole in Episode 8 are clear signals that the story isn't over. As O'Hare puts it, "Things are still dangerous." For now, fans can rewatch the season and look for clues, much like they did with Stranger Things. And if the show gets a Season 2, expect the cast to be just as in the dark as we are.
