Why Netflix's Maniac Won't Be Returning For Season 2
12 minutes ago
Netflix's limited series Maniac has been a hit with many, and it's easy to see why. The inventive Netflix original stars two Hollywood A-listers (Jonah Hill and Emma Stone), and is directed by True Detective's Cary Fukunaga, who is red hot right now after the recent announcement he'll be helming the next James Bond film. Audiences seem to want more Maniac, and with all these big names attached, it's silly to think Netflix wouldn't have at least asked for Season 2. Unfortunately, showrunner Patrick Somerville said that was never a possibility, and dashed anyone's hopes more episodes could be on the way in a recent interview, noting,
No. This was always planned as a limited series, and I think that's another reason why we had the freedom to have a more hopeful ending. A lot of times on TV, you have to throw your characters into distress again near the end to buy the next season, and we don't have to do that. It is a tremendous amount of energy and imagination to just to make a new show, and so you do have this feeling of wanting to hold on and keep using it, because there's so much imagination in there, but I think part of why Maniac had that improvisational feeling along the way was knowing that this is it. Let's do it now, because this is what Maniac is.
Maniac does end on a high note, or at least notably higher than the overall tone of the limited series. Without going into spoilers, the ending definitely shows this isn't the end of the road for Jonah Hill and Emma Stone's characters, which may be why some hope that more episodes were a possibility. Patrick Somerville explained, however, this wasn't done to leave the show open-ended in case another season was ordered, but rather to give the audience hope that things work out for Annie and Owen.
This may be bittersweet news for those who loved Maniac and wanted to see more, although ultimately great for those who like happy endings and were hoping for the best while watching. Patrick Somerville essentially stated to THR that something bad would've had to happen to Annie and Owen near the end to justify a continuation, which would've made for a far less happy conclusion to a show that featured some pretty dark themes. So, while viewers don't definitively know the duo's lives get better in the future, at least Somerville has confirmed they're free to imagine whatever conclusion they want. It's a pill unsatisfied fans will likely have to swallow, as one can imagine it'd be very hard to get both Jonah Hill and Emma Stone to commit to another season even if Netflix was pushing for it given their busy schedules.
Maniac may not be getting any more episodes, but viewers can continue to binge the series to their heart's content on Netflix. For a look at other things that are happening on television in the meantime, head on over to our fall premiere guide and find a new series to fall in love with.
