Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Lockwood & Co, which brought Jonathan Stroud’s beloved supernatural detective series to life before Netflix broke our hearts with its cancellation.
Lockwood & Co premiered on January 27, 2023, delivering 8 captivating episodes with each running approximately 50-55 minutes. This Netflix original adaptation perfectly captured the essence of Stroud’s young adult book series, combining Victorian-era atmosphere with modern sensibilities in an alternate version of London plagued by deadly ghosts.
The series masterfully blends supernatural horror with coming-of-age themes, creating a unique atmosphere that appeals to both teen audiences and adult fantasy enthusiasts. Set in an alternate present-day Britain where ghosts have been rising for 50 years, Lockwood & Co explores themes of trauma, friendship, and growing up in a world where death literally haunts the living.
Three Teens Against the Supernatural: The Ghost-Hunting Agency
The story follows Lucy Carlyle, a psychically gifted teenager who joins the independent ghost-hunting agency run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood and his brilliant, eccentric partner George Karim. Ruby Stokes delivers an outstanding performance as Lucy, bringing depth and vulnerability to a character struggling with both supernatural abilities and personal trauma.
Lucy’s journey from a traumatized provincial girl to a confident paranormal investigator forms the emotional core of the series. Her powerful psychic talents, including the rare ability to communicate with ghosts, make her both invaluable and dangerous to the team, creating constant tension throughout the season.
Anthony Lockwood: Cameron Chapman’s Breakout Performance
Cameron Chapman shines as Anthony Lockwood, the enigmatic young entrepreneur who runs London’s only unsupervised psychic investigation agency. His portrayal captures Lockwood’s complex personality perfectly, balancing his confident public persona with the deep trauma and mysterious past that drives his reckless behavior.
Lockwood’s character development reveals layers of vulnerability beneath his charming exterior, especially as his dangerous obsession with a particular case threatens both his agency and his friends. Chapman’s chemistry with the entire cast, particularly Stokes, creates the authentic friendship dynamics that make the series so compelling.
George Karim: The Heart of Team Logic
Ali Hadji-Heshmati brings wonderful depth to George Karim, the research specialist whose encyclopedic knowledge of supernatural phenomena keeps the team grounded. His character provides both comic relief and emotional stability, serving as the voice of reason when Lockwood’s recklessness threatens their safety.
George’s relationship with both Lucy and Lockwood creates a perfect trio dynamic, with his methodical approach balancing their more impulsive tendencies. His character arc explores themes of belonging and acceptance, making him far more than just the team’s researcher.
The Bone Glass Revelation: When Past Meets Present
The climactic episodes of Lockwood & Co showcase brilliant storytelling as the mystery of the Bone Glass unfolds, connecting present dangers to historical tragedies. The revelation of how past events continue to haunt both the living and the dead creates some of the series’ most emotionally powerful moments.
These pivotal scenes explore family secrets, corporate conspiracies, and the true cost of psychic abilities, elevating the series beyond typical supernatural teen drama. The visual effects during these ghostly encounters rival major film productions, creating genuinely frightening and beautiful supernatural sequences.
Success on Netflix Despite Heartbreaking Cancellation
Lockwood & Co found itself in the top spot on Netflix’s trending shows after its January 2023 release, demonstrating strong initial viewer engagement and positive audience reception. The series received praise for its faithful adaptation of Stroud’s beloved books and its stellar young cast performances.
Despite positive reviews and fan support, Netflix canceled the series after one season in May 2023, leaving storylines unresolved and fans devastated. The cancellation highlighted Netflix’s ongoing challenges with supporting genre content that requires time to build audiences, particularly supernatural series targeting younger demographics.
Perfect Supernatural Comfort Viewing
If you love supernatural detective stories with heart and humor, Lockwood & Co is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show delivers everything fans of the genre crave: compelling mysteries, genuine scares, authentic friendships, and a richly developed supernatural world.
A Criminally Underrated Supernatural Gem
Pros:
- Exceptional world-building that perfectly adapts Stroud’s literary universe
- Outstanding performances from the young cast, especially Ruby Stokes
- Perfect balance of horror, humor, and heartfelt character development
- Stunning production design that brings ghostly London to atmospheric life
- Faithful adaptation that respects the source material while expanding the story
Cons:
- Devastating cancellation leaves major storylines and mysteries unresolved
- Only 8 episodes means limited time for character development
- Some pacing issues in early episodes as the world-building establishes itself
- Complex supernatural rules might confuse viewers unfamiliar with the books
- Cliffhanger ending that will never receive proper resolution
Lockwood & Co proves that Netflix can create exceptional supernatural content when they commit to quality storytelling, making its premature cancellation all the more tragic for fans of the genre.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 8 (1 season completed)
- Platform: Netflix
- Release Year: 2023 (Canceled after 1 season)
- Current IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Genre: Supernatural, Teen Drama, Mystery
- Production Type: British supernatural series
- Status: Canceled after 1 season
- Protagonists: Ruby Stokes (Lucy Carlyle), Cameron Chapman (Anthony Lockwood), Ali Hadji-Heshmati (George Karim)
- Antagonist: Various supernatural entities and corporate conspiracies