Hemlock Grove Vanished

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Anyone well-versed in Bill Skarsgård’s work recognizes him as the reigning monarch of modern horror. When it comes to choosing an actor for spine-tingling roles, across any style, he is often the first choice for many directors. Although his portrayal of Pennywise in the recent It adaptations may give the impression that he emerged suddenly onto the scene, his talent in the horror genre was already evident long before that – back when streaming services were still relatively new and not as dominant as they are today. His role in Netflix’s Hemlock Grove served as a significant milestone in his rise to fame, even though the series has since become somewhat elusive due to its scarcity on popular streaming platforms.

The show titled “Hemlock Grove” was a chilling horror/thriller series broadcast from 2013 to 2015, based on a fictional Pennsylvania town sharing the same name. The narrative commences with the grim discovery of a young woman’s slain body near an abandoned steel mill. The prime suspect becomes Peter Rumancek (Landon Liboiron), a newcomer to the town at 17, fueled by whispers that he was a werewolf. To exonerate himself, Peter allies with Roman Godfrey (Skarsgård), an heir of a prominent local family. Together, they delve into the series of murders. Remarkably, this show was one of Netflix’s early original productions, boasting three seasons to its credit.

Back when it first hit the screens, I found myself engrossed in “Hemlock Grove”, hoping for a captivating series that would leave audiences talking. However, upon its release, it received a mixed response from both critics and viewers alike. Despite my initial enthusiasm, the show failed to gain momentum, which sadly explains why it’s hardly remembered today.

Even though Netflix is notoriously secretive about viewership numbers, their content chief, Ted Sarandos, admitted in an interview with The Daily Telegraph back in 2016 that “Hemlock Grove” didn’t meet the expectations they had set. Consequently, this lackluster performance led to the show’s eventual cancellation.

Initially, accounts stated that the choice to end the series was a mutual agreement between Netflix and its creators, considering factors such as waning viewer interest and escalating production costs. This isn’t surprising, as show cancellations are common even when supporters try to preserve them, like with shows such as Sense8 or Anne with an E. What sparked curiosity, though, was the eventual deletion of the series from Netflix’s library years afterwards, a move that is uncommon for content initially funded by Netflix.

The reason you can’t find Hemlock Grove on popular streaming services is because of licensing agreements behind the scenes. Gaumont International Television held the rights to stream the show on Netflix, but when their deal expired, Netflix no longer had permission to stream it. Although Hemlock Grove carries the Netflix Original label, it was not actually owned by Netflix, so they could remove it from their platform once the licensing ended. Since then, the show has been difficult for the general public to access because it hasn’t appeared on any major streaming service. The episodes are also not available for purchase or rental on digital platforms, leaving fans disappointed as they try to explore Skarsgård’s early work.

The fact that Hemlock Grove is no longer streaming serves as a reminder that Netflix Originals may not be accessible forever. While watching shows on streaming platforms offers convenience, it doesn’t guarantee ownership of the content. Instead, viewers only have temporary access to the content as long as the platform permits. This was evident when the show’s removal was announced in 2022, which many viewers noted.

Although it may not be as frequently recognized as other shows from the same period, Hemlock Grove paved the way and significantly contributed to what is now recognized as the “Netflix approach” to watching television. While individual episodes can still be found sporadically online, viewing the entire series has become quite a challenge. It’s a shame because Skarsgård’s subsequent success in prominent projects like It and Nosferatu likely owes a great deal to Hemlock Grove, which undoubtedly played a significant role in launching his career.

At this moment, the only method to stream ‘Hemlock Grove’ is through Hoopla, a service that’s closely tied to libraries. However, it’s essential to note that only Season 1 of the show is accessible on this platform for viewers.

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2025-04-13 05:09