Netflix Scrapped the Idea for Making ‘The Sparrow Academy’ Series

Netflix will no longer be developing The Umbrella Academy spin-off series — The Sparrow Academy. The idea for the spin-off surfaced in May 2023, but Netflix had not confirmed any development. Now, according to What’s on Netflix, it is confirmed that the show will not happen.

Who Are The Sparrows?

The Sparrows are introduced in The Umbrella Academy season 3 as seven children — Marcus Hargreeves (Justin Cornwell), Ben (Justin H. Min), Fei (Britne Oldford), Alphonso (Jake Epstein), Sloane (Genesis Rodriguez), Jayme (Cazzie David), and Christopher — born on the same day and adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves following a change in the timeline caused by their counterparts, the Umbrella Academy. The Sparrow Academy is nearly identical to the Umbrella Academy but assembled with what Hargreeves believes to be a better group of children.

Here’s the synopsis for the spin-off:

“An Umbrella Academy spinoff following The Sparrow Academy, an Academy of seven children born on the same day and adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves following a change in the timeline caused by their counterparts, the Umbrella Academy. The Sparrow Academy is almost identical to the Umbrella Academy, but built with what Hargreeves believes to be a better set of children.”

The spin-off cancellation is also reported by Rolling Stone, following allegations against showrunner Steve Blackman, who allegedly created “a hostile workplace” while working on the flagship show, though he denies any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “entirely untrue” and “completely absurd.”

In response, Blackman’s representative said, “These allegations from a handful of disgruntled employees are completely false and outrageous, and in no way reflect the collaborative, respectful, and successful working environment Mr. Blackman has cultivated.” However, over six years and four seasons overseeing thousands of crew, actors, and writers, Steve Blackman led The Umbrella Academy to become a beloved series with devoted fans, enthralling stories, and a dedicated team — making it all possible.

The new season of The Umbrella Academy will premiere on Netflix on August 8, 2024. Season 4 will begin with the climactic showdown at the Hotel Oblivion, which reset their timeline and left the original crew stripped of their various powers.

According to the season 4 description, “The result leaves the fan-favorite siblings to fend for themselves and find a new normal with wildly varying degrees of success, yet the trappings of their uncanny new world prove too hard to ignore for very long. Their father Reginald, alive and well, has stepped out of the shadows and into the public eye, overseeing a powerful and nefarious business empire.”

Season 4 stars Elliot Page as Viktor Hargreeves, Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves, David Castañeda as Diego Hargreeves, Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison Hargreeves, Robert Sheehan as Klaus Hargreeves, Aidan Gallagher as Number Five, Justin H. Min as Ben Hargreeves, Ritu Arya as Lila Pitts, Colm Feore as Reginald Hargreeves, and special appearances by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally as Drs. Gene and Jean Thibedeau, along with David Cross as Sy Grossman.

RELATED: Netflix’s ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 Teaser Trailer Dropped: “It’s The Final Timeline”