Hemlock Grove: Netflix’s Lost Fantasy Horror Show Doomed By Book Adaptation Mistake

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Netflix recently cancelled a three-part fantasy horror series, and a key reason was a common problem with adaptations of books. While Netflix has had success with many original shows – and now boasts some of the best TV series ever made – particularly in the fantasy and horror genres, this new show unfortunately didn’t resonate with audiences.

As a total cinema and TV devotee, I remember when Netflix really started making its own shows back in 2012. Lilyhammer and House of Cards were the first ones, and they definitely grabbed my attention! One of the early Netflix Originals was Hemlock Grove, a spooky fantasy horror series created by Brian McGreevy. It premiered in 2013 and lasted for three seasons, though it didn’t exactly win over the critics – and honestly, they had some good points!

Similar to many Netflix series, Hemlock Grove started as a book. However, it suffered from a common problem with adaptations – straying too far from the source material. This led to negative reviews, a loss of viewership, and ultimately, the show faded into obscurity as one of Netflix’s forgotten originals.

Hemlock Grove Made 3 Seasons Out Of Just 1 Book

Based on a 2012 novel by McGreevy, Hemlock Grove wasn’t a critical success, but Netflix saw potential and ordered a full 13-episode season even before the book was released. The show is set in the made-up town of Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, where the powerful Godfrey family holds most of the influence.

Olivia Godfrey, along with her brother-in-law Dr. Norman Godfrey, controls the town’s economy through businesses like the Godfrey Institute, Hemlock Acres Hospital, and a now-shuttered steel mill. Their teenage son, Roman, is privileged and self-assured, expected to inherit everything, while their daughter, Shelley, is kind-hearted despite facing physical challenges.

The story of Hemlock Grove starts when Peter Rumancek, a teenager with a mysterious background, arrives in town alongside a string of violent murders. He quickly becomes friends with Roman, and together they investigate the killings, suspecting a werewolf is responsible – a suspicion fueled by Peter’s own secret. As they search for answers, Roman also begins to discover hidden, supernatural powers within himself.

The first season of Hemlock Grove closely follows the source novel, but the show continued for two additional seasons after that. Unfortunately, seasons 2 and 3 strayed significantly from the book, becoming convoluted and filled with inconsistencies. The new ‘twists’ often felt predictable, disappointing, or didn’t add anything meaningful to the plot. Ultimately, Hemlock Grove stretched the story of a single book too far, resulting in a decline in quality.

Despite Its Flaws, Hemlock Grove Is One Of Netflix’s Most Underrated Fantasy Horror Shows

Okay, so Hemlock Grove didn’t exactly win over the critics – it landed a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. But honestly, I think it gets a bad rap. It’s a really underrated Netflix show! What I loved was how it took all those classic horror tropes – vampires (they call them ‘upirs’ which is cool), werewolves, and even a Frankenstein-type creature – and gave them a fresh, modern spin. It felt like a clever update to everything I grew up loving about those old monster movies.

Hemlock Grove developed its own unique set of stories and lore, but unfortunately, the show’s writers struggled to build on that foundation in the later seasons. What really kept viewers engaged was the complicated relationship between Roman and Peter, who both battled with their inner demons and monstrous sides.

Hemlock Grove uses its monsters – not just the main ones, but also some of the human characters – to examine what it means to be human. While the show could have been executed better, its interesting ideas and the actors’ performances still make it enjoyable.

Why Hemlock Grove Is Now A Lost Netflix Original

Although Hemlock Grove was one of Netflix’s earliest original series, it’s no longer available to watch on the platform. Netflix removed the show from its catalog globally in 2022 because the rights were held by Gaumont International, who had a licensing agreement with Netflix.

The original agreement for Hemlock Grove ended in 2022, which meant it was temporarily taken off Netflix. Now, you can stream all seasons on AMC+, The Roku Channel, Philo, Shudder, Spectrum, and Plex. Season 1 is also available on Prime Video and Hoopla.

FilmRise now owns the rights to stream Hemlock Grove, which is why you can find it on the platforms mentioned earlier. While it probably won’t be back on its original streaming service, it’s at least more accessible now.

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2026-03-12 18:02