Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Netflix made another surprising decision by canceling the French-language crime drama series, Bandi, after just one season.
The cancellation announcement was made in May 2026, just weeks after the series debuted on April 9, 2026.
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This decision came despite Bandi recording strong initial viewing figures and making it into Netflix's Top 10 in various countries.
The cancellation caused disappointment among viewers, especially as many storylines were left unresolved at the end of the first season.
Many fans were eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story of 11 orphaned siblings struggling to survive on Martinique, an island in the French Caribbean.
Netflix stated that this decision was difficult and not taken lightly, with the primary reason being that the overall viewership was deemed insufficient to justify continuing the series, especially considering the significant production costs.
The Story of "Bandi" and Netflix's Unique Production
The series Bandi is a French-language crime drama set on Martinique, an exotic island in the French Caribbean.
The series was created by Eric Rochant and Capucine Rochant and consisted of eight episodes, released simultaneously on April 9, 2026.
The story of Bandi centers on 11 orphaned siblings who struggle to survive in Martinique after the death of their mother.
Some of them are forced to engage in crime and drug trafficking to keep their families together.
The series features local Martinique talent, including Djody Grimeau as Kylian, Rodney Dijon, Ambre Bozza, and trap artist Evil P (Patrick Trieste).
Bandi was also Netflix's first major production to be filmed entirely in Martinique, using a local crew.
Reason for Cancellation: More Than Just Viewership
Netflix explained that the cancellation of Bandi was a difficult decision that took into account various factors.
While the series had impressive initial viewership, the overall viewership was deemed insufficient to support continued production.
One of the main reasons is completion rates, which is how many viewers complete all episodes of a series.
Netflix now measures not only raw watch hours but also considers broader subscriber engagement data, including whether viewers continue to watch other Netflix content after finishing the series.
Furthermore, the high production costs of Bandi were also a significant consideration.
Rumors about Bandi's cancellation had circulated on social media and among local influencers before it was officially confirmed.
Netflix eventually issued a statement to local radio station RCI, which covers Guadeloupe and Martinique, confirming that Bandi would not return for a second season.
Viewership Data and Public Reaction
In its first week of release, Bandi managed to amass 16 million hours of viewing globally, equivalent to approximately 2.1 million complete views.
This figure jumped significantly in the second week, reaching 40.5 million hours of viewing.
The series also successfully ranked within Netflix's Top 10 in many countries.
However, the cancellation sparked significant disappointment among viewers and led to criticism of Netflix's approach to international programming and short-lived original series.
In response, Netflix expressed its pride in Bandi, calling it “a true cultural moment showcasing local Martinique talent” and acknowledging the vision of the series’ creators.