DEAD BOY DETECTIVES TV Series Moves From HBO Max To Netflix

After the Dead Boy Detectives first appeared in a 2021 season 3 episode of Doom Patrol, rumors began swirling about a potential spinoff for the characters.  Those rumors would go on to become reality in April 2022, although the two lead characters would be recast.

Now, it's been reported by The Hollywood Reporter that the adaptation is moving from HBO Max to Netflix. Reportedly, the show didn't fit the vision of the quasi-reboot of DC Studios by James Gunn and Peter Safran. 

While it's somewhat disappointing to see DC properties split across multiple streamers/networks, Dead Boy Detectives is enjoying a better fate than what befell Batgirl, Pennyworth, Titans and Doom Patrol.

Also likely factoring into the decision to sell the adaptation to Netflix is the current financial turmoil swirling around Warner Bros. Discovery as the company looks to be cutting costs through write-offs and licensing deals.

Just last month, Neil Gaiman commented that the adaptation was currently filming making it likely that Netflix will retain the original cast.  Jayden Revri (Fate: The Winx Saga) portrays Edwin Payne, newcomer George Rexstrew co-stars as Charles Rowland, and actress Kassius Nelson rounds out the main cast as Crystal Palace.

In addition, the show also features:

• Briana Cuoco as Jenny the Butcher
• Yuyu Kitamura as Niko
• Jenn Lyon as Esther
• Ruth Connell as Night Nurse

The Dead Boy Detectives first appeared in The Sandman #25 (April 1991) from writer Neil Gaiman and artists Matt Wagner and Malcolm Jones III under the DC Comics imprint, Vertigo Comics (R.I.P., seriously, someone at DC needs to bring Vertigo back).   

While trying to protect their new acquaintance, techno-savvy sleuth Crystal, from suffering the same fate at the hands of familiar bullies, Charles and Edwin begin to unravel the mysteries surrounding their own untimely demise.