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| Credit: HBO |
By Jack Sheppard
A few days ago, HBO recommissioned its hit drama Big Little Lies for a second season, with most of the key figures set to return. This is hardly surprising news: it received good viewing figures, critical acclaim and more Emmys than traditional darlings like Game of Thrones and Veep. Those of you who listened to episode 13 of our podcast will know I loved the show. It’s funny, tense, intriguing, unique, and is filled with so many amazing performances. It sometimes feels like you’re being spoilt. So why does a second season feel me with dread?
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to return to the world of Big Little Lies and revisit these immensely fascinating characters, but I can’t help but feel there’s little point. The first season, for all its mysteries, ended on a very conclusive note, leaving little to explore in a second outing.Rather than a second season being show-runner David E. Kelley’s intention, it feels like HBO have got awards in their eyes, and are only making him write more episodes so it can chase the high of the first season.
It’s not the first time this has happened. You only need to look at the hundreds of unnecessary film sequels released every year to see that executives never know when to quit.
TV is not exempt from this either. Although most series are made with the intention of being recommissioned, the writer is still occasionally forced back to the typewriter at gunpoint.
Take ITV’s hit crime-drama Broadchurch. Series one wraps up so nicely that it leaves you wondering what on earth they can do next, and after watching the first couple of episodes of series two the answer becomes clear: not much!
There are, of course, ways to make a successful sequel to a limited series. It has become a tradition in recent years for limited series, such as American Horror Story or Fargo, to be rebranded as an anthology series with each new season featuring a new plot and cast. This allows the producers to create a thematically similar show whilst also keeping the storyline fresh, and most of the time this has worked. American Horror Story is still going strong after seven seasons and all three seasons of Fargo have garnered praise from audiences and critics alike.
There are, of course, ways to make a successful sequel to a limited series. It has become a tradition in recent years for limited series, such as American Horror Story or Fargo, to be rebranded as an anthology series with each new season featuring a new plot and cast. This allows the producers to create a thematically similar show whilst also keeping the storyline fresh, and most of the time this has worked. American Horror Story is still going strong after seven seasons and all three seasons of Fargo have garnered praise from audiences and critics alike.
Season two of Big Little Lies will not follow the same format, however, and the producers are attempting to continue the self-contained story of the first season. This leaves me worrying that they’re going to run out of ideas and create an increasingly ridiculous or uninteresting story, and in doing so ruin their stellar reputation.
Of course, I’m not saying this will definitely happen, and it is very possible that the second season will end up being just as amazing as the first, particularly if the cast and crew are sticking around. Besides, even if it isn’t good, it doesn’t really matter. The first season will always exist, and will always be an incredible watch no matter what comes next!
Photo Credit: HBO
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