This article contains spoilers for Season 1 of Dead Boy Detectives.
From the incredibly original mind of the author Neil Gaiman, Dead Boy Detectives is a supernatural comedy that follows Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine, young men who decide not to enter the afterlife after their untimely deaths. Instead of moving on, the pair decide to stay on Earth, where they act as supernatural crime investigators.
Originally a project for the Max streaming service, Dead Boy Detectives moved to Netflix in 2023, where it premiered on April 25, 2024. Audiences have enjoyed the show, and critics have praised the direction, writing, and overall tone of the eight episodes released.
Dead Boy Detectives
A duo of ghost detectives walk the border between the living and the dead, investigating ghostly mysteries that elude the reach of conventional detectives. Alongside a living accomplice with psychic abilities, they navigate a series of chilling adventures, learning about life and each other.
Is “Dead Boy Detectives” getting a second season?
The series opened quite well, making the Netflix Top 10, however there is no official confirmation that Netflix has renewed the show for a second season. Stay tuned to Collider to find out if the series will get a well-deserved Season 2.
What Happened in Dead Boy Detectives Season 1?
Edwin Paine (George Raughtrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) are two young people who were killed in the same boarding school, decades apart. While Edwin died in the early 20th century, Charles' death took place in the 1990s. They are now best friends who, instead of passing on to the afterlife, remain on Earth, solving crimes of the supernatural variety.
Although the two originally worked alone, they are eventually joined by a very lively clairvoyant named Crystal Palace (Cassius Nelson), who is able to see and touch Edwin and Charles. All this happens while the night nurse (Ruth Connell) tries to get Edwin and Charles to come to the afterlife despite the good work the friends are doing as detectives. Although the Season 1 finale casts her as the boys' sidekick, time will tell if this new combination works.
Throughout Season 1, there are several major plot lines, one of which is Crystal's possession by a demon named David. Not only did David possess Crystal, but he also took some of her memories with him, which becomes the driving force behind Crystal working with the boys to get those memories back in exchange for their help with her mysteries. In an unexpected twist, we learn that Crystal willingly lets David take her memories since she's not being painted as the older person.
Another major storyline in Season 1 is Edwin's feelings for Charles. Things get more complicated as Crystal also becomes romantically interested in Charles. After meeting Crystal, Charles convinces Edwin to allow her to join his team, and Edwin reluctantly agrees. It doesn't take long for Edwin to be convinced that Crystal's supernatural powers will be invaluable to the team, and he begins to fit in with her; however, when he realizes Crystal's feelings for Charles, he becomes suspicious of her again.
Another great story from season 1 is that of Niko Sasaki (Yuyu Kitamura), a girl whose brush with death now allows her to see ghosts, including Edwin and Charles. Niko helps the detectives as his powers are a useful addition to the team. At the end of Season 1, Niko appears to die; however, in the final moments, it is revealed that Niko may still be alive in some form. This acts as one of the biggest ones from Season 1, and fans will be excited to see if Niko becomes a bigger player, should there be a Season 2.
What is 'Dead Boy Detectives' about?
Edwin and Charles are two young men who were murdered in the same boarding school. Although these deaths happened decades apart, the two eventually connected and decided to stay on Earth solving supernatural crimes instead of moving on to the afterlife.
Edwin, who died while being sacrificed in a demonic ritual, spent seventy years in Hell, from which he finally escaped. Charles died after falling ill while being bullied by other children at his school. Since none of their deaths were dealt with properly, the two feel compelled to help other souls find their way to the afterlife.
The two team up with a clairvoyant named Crystal Palace, becoming a trio. While helping the various spirits leave Earth, Edwin and Charles must always be on the lookout for the Night Nurse, the spirit who tries to unwittingly drag the two boys into the afterlife.
The official synopsis for the show reads:
Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine decided not to enter the afterlife to stay on Earth and investigate crimes involving the supernatural.
Who Makes 'Dead Boy Detectives'
Dead Boy Detectives was developed for television by Steve Yockeywhose previous credits include the HBO drama The flight attendant, supernaturali Scream: The TV Series. The showrunning of the series are Yockey and Beth Schwartzwho produced the shows DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Arrowi sweet toothanother Netflix show.
The series is executive produced by Yockey, Schwartz, Neil Gaiman, Jeremy Carver (Doom Patrol), Greg Berlanti (love simon), Leigh Johnson Redman (Knights of Gotham), i David Madden (Runaway Bride).
Who stars in 'Dead Boy Detectives'
One of the show's two lead actors, George Rextraw, makes his professional acting debut Dead Boy Detectives. Fans of the series have enjoyed Rextrew's performance, praising the emotional ups and downs he brings to the character of Edwin.
Jayden Revri, who plays Charles, co-star of the series. Revi has previously appeared in The Lodge, Innocenti Destiny: the Winx saga. Additional co-stars a Dead Boy Detectives are Kassius Nelson, whose previous credits include a long run on British drama Hollyoaksas well as Edgar Wright's Last night in Soho; Briana Cuoco (The flight attendant) as Jenny Green; Ruth Connell (supernatural) as a night nurse; Yuyu Kitamura (Meet Cute) as Niko; Jenn Lyon (justified) as Esther Finch; David Iacono (In the summer I became beautiful) as David the Devil; Lukas Gage (euphoria) as king cat; i Caitlin Reilly (Hacks) as Litty the Sprite.
Show to watch if you liked 'Dead Boy Detectives'
Want more supernatural comedy? Check out these three shows for your new, dark, young obsessions.
Wednesday (2022-)
Another hit on Netflix is Wednesdaya series revolving around the wonderfully weird Wednesday Addams The Addams Family. starring Jenna Ortega As the titular character in the Netflix adaptation of the famous dark family follows Wednesday when he is sent to a boarding school for peculiar children. while Wednesday is different from the previous one The Addams Family canon as some of its characters possess supernatural abilities, the series was an instant hit, with viewers watching a total of 752 million hours of the series in less than two weeks. With Season 2 on the way, including new additions Steve Buscemi (fargo) i Thandie Newton (Westworld), fans couldn't be more excited to return to Nevermore Academy in 2025. You can catch up on Season 1 of Wednesday on Netflix.
WATCH ON NETFLIX
The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024)
One of Netflix's most successful series, The Umbrella Academy, is adapted from the comic series of the same name by My Chemical Romance musician Gerard Camí. The series revolves around what might be the world's most unusual blended family, made up of seven children with supernatural abilities, all born to women around the world who showed no signs of pregnancy until they went into labor. These children are adopted by the eccentric billionaire Reginald Hargreeves, who raises them as superheroes in what he calls “The Umbrella Academy”. Although things don't go as originally planned, and the team disbands, they reunite years later in an attempt to save the world from extinction. With incredible acting performances by protagonists Aidan Gallagher, Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehani Justin H. Min, the series is a fantastic journey over four unpredictable seasons. You can stream all episodes of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix.
WATCH ON NETFLIX
Goosebumps (2024-)
It's hard to take a beloved book series and turn it into a watchable and successful TV series, but that's what the team behind the 2023 reinvention did Goosebumps fulfilled Based on the books of RL Stine, this version of the tales follows five high school students as they each deal with their own iteration of the demons unleashed on their town. The series breathed new life into some of the classics Goosebumps creatures like Slappy the Dummy, who first appeared in the book series in 1993. An added treat in the Disney+ series is the interpretation of Justin Long (accepted) as Professor Nathan Bratt, who gave a performance that was both captivating and real for a character experiencing possession by a ventriloquist doll. Recently renewed for a second season, you can watch season 1 of Goosebumps on Disney+.
WATCH DISNEY+
