Ghosts Don’t Quit: The Dead Boy Detectives Fandom Fights On with Pride
In the past, we’ve celebrated the incredible efforts fandoms have made to keep their favorite LGBTQ+ shows alive—like when Our Flag Means Death fans took to the skies and screens to demand a third season, raising thousands for LGBTQ+ youth and reminding the world that queer pirates deserve to sail. And now, another crew of fans is stepping up. This time, it’s the devoted followers of the TV show Dead Boy Detectives, and they’re proving that love for queer storytelling doesn’t fade with a cancellation, it only grows stronger.
When Netflix pulled the plug on Dead Boy Detectives in April 2024, we were just as heartbroken as everyone else. Here was a show bursting with heart, queerness, found family, and ghostly charm—and it didn’t even get the chance to truly find its audience. But while the news hit hard, fans didn’t just grieve. They galvanized.
The Save Dead Boy Detectives campaign launched almost immediately, kicking off with a petition for renewal and not one, not two, but three crowdfunded billboards—two in Hollywood and one right in the middle of Times Square. One of the Hollywood billboards, located just five minutes from Netflix’s LA headquarters, shattered records by becoming the longest-running fandom-funded billboard ever, staying up for an incredible 112 days. Cast and crew even stopped by to take photos and show their support, adding fuel to the campaign’s momentum.
As the show’s anniversary approached this spring, fans pulled off a full-blown lovefest. A brand-new billboard appeared outside Netflix’s HQ, while another lit up Times Square during the week of April 19–25. The campaign made it onto the Tomorrow Will Be Televised podcast, dropped an official press kit, and released an emotional fan-made video featuring supporters from around the world talking about what this show means to them. If that doesn’t say “we’re here and we care,” we don’t know what does.
And while Netflix hasn’t brought the show back (yet!), the fandom isn’t giving up. Not even close. “We’re not giving up,” a campaign spokesperson said. “Seeing strong LGBTQ representation on screen is more important now than it ever has been.” And honestly? We couldn’t agree more. In a time when queer stories are being challenged, censored, or straight-up erased, fighting for shows like Dead Boy Detectives is about more than just getting a second season—it’s about demanding space for our stories, our characters, and our truths.
That’s why, for Pride 2025, the Save Dead Boy Detectives campaign is taking things one beautiful step further. In an effort to raise awareness and support the LGBTQ+ community, they’ve launched a Pride charity calendar featuring art from over 70 fandom creators. All proceeds will go to six LGBTQ+ organizations, and fans can snag a copy of the calendar by donating just $10 to one of the selected charities (full details on the official campaign site).
It’s a beautiful way to turn loss into love—taking all the heartache of cancellation and channeling it into something generous, creative, and joyfully queer. But wait, there’s more! The campaign organizers are also making a sizable donation to The Trevor Project, and a brand-new Pride-themed billboard will shine bright in Times Square during NYC Pride, June 28–29.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: fandoms like this give us hope. Hope that queer stories matter. Hope that they don’t disappear quietly. And hope that even in the face of setbacks, our community continues to show up—with love, with passion, and with purpose. It reminds us that even when our stories are cut short, the community that grows around them never is.
Of course, we dream of a day when queer shows aren’t getting cancelled before their time, and when fandoms don’t have to fight tooth and nail just to be heard. A day when we come together not to save a show, but to celebrate it. But until then, we’re endlessly proud of the Dead Boy Detectives fandom and everything they’re doing for our community.
To everyone fighting for a second season—whether it’s back at Netflix or somewhere new—we’re rooting for you. Loudly. Let’s keep haunting, keep hoping, and keep showing the world what queer fandoms can do.
SAVE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES
The first season of Dead Boy Detectives is available to stream on Netflix. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of The Save Dead Boy Detectives Campaign
