Cursed, the Netflix fantasy led by Katherine Langford from 13 Reasons Why, won't be renewed for season 2. Here's why Netflix canceled Cursed.
SUMMARY
- Netflix canceled Cursed, eliminating a possible season 2, due to lower viewership and budget concerns compared to their other projects. #CursedCancelation
- Despite the show's initial popularity and anticipation, Cursed didn't perform as well as other series in terms of popularity and potential for franchising. #CursedSeason2
- Katherine Langford, the show's star, has continued to have a successful career with roles in movies and other TV shows since the cancelation of Cursed. #KatherineLangfordSuccess
The medieval fantasy Netflix series Cursed was canceled, eliminating a Cursed season 2. Cursed premiered in July 2020 with a 10-episode first season, but a year passed without any updates, leaving the fate of the series up in the air. Then, in the aftermath of other cancelations that include four original comedy shows, Cursed got the ax from Netflix as well, with its title becoming an ironic self-fulfilling prophecy.
Nimue, played by 13 Reason Why's Katherine Langford, is shunned by her Fey village and believed to be cursed. In actuality, she's destined to become the magical Lady of the Lake.
In the Netflix Cursed season 1, Nimue unexpectedly joins forces with a young King Arthur (Devon Terrell) on a quest to find Merlin (Gustaf Skarsgård) and deliver Excalibur. Given the widespread appeal of fantasy content in today's streaming world and Netflix's own prowess in the genre with shows like The Witcher, it comes as a bit of a surprise that Cursed was canceled before Cursed season 2. However, as unfortunate as Cursed's cancelation is, there are actually some logical reasons for it.
Although the series' idea was promising, Netflix Cursed season 2 was likely canceled because it didn't live up to expectations and didn't draw enough viewers compared to their other projects. Rotten Tomatoes gave Cursed a score of 67% based on critic ratings and 53% for the audience score, indicating mixed reviews.
On top of that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix canceled a handful of series they had already renewed because they couldn't put the shows into production, and there is always a stream of new shows and movies to produce.
It's less about whether Netflix's Cursed was popular and more about how popular it was compared to other series, especially those with franchise potential. Netflix tends to cancel fantasy series that can potentially be more expensive to make with the sets, costumes, CGI, and more. Still, the cancelation of Cursed season 2 comes as a bit of a surprise for a show that did manage to secure some popularity leading up to its release. Netflix had ordered the series before Miller and Wheeler's book was even published, and the on-screen project became highly anticipated.
The fact that Netflix had secured Langford - a recognizable star from its infamous teen drama 13 Reasons Why — to headline the cast of Cursed as Lady of the Lake seemed like a viable move. Upon the release of Cursed, rumors about a Merlin spinoff already began to circulate. But, after all the hype, Cursed only spent a few weeks on the platform's top 10 charts, and the possibility of a spinoff appears doubtful now.
Will Cursed Season 2 Ever Happen?
In the aftermath of the news about Cursed, some loyal fans started campaigning for another streaming service to pick up the series, using the hashtag #SavedCursed on social media. However, the cast members were released from their contracts and are free to pursue other projects, which makes any return seem unlikely. Although there was content planned for Cursed season 2, and season 1 ended on a major cliffhanger in which Nimue is shot and presumed dead, it seems that Netflix Cursed was canceled for good.
Likewise, avid Cursed fans have only one book to turn to, as Miller and Wheeler have yet to create a sequel for their original hit. However, Wheeler did hint in an Instagram post on July 9, 2021, that another novel could be in the works. The Netflix Cursed series will probably never get a season 2, but it had a good run while it lasted, and several of the actors have taken to social media to express their gratitude for being a part of the project since its cancelation.
What Has Katherine Langford Done Since Cursed?
Despite the Cursed season 2 cancelation, Katherine Langford isn't falling out of the spotlight any time soon. Directly after Cursed, she starred in the movie Spontaneous as Mara alongside Charlie Plummer. The unconventional teen horror dramedy saw Mara and Dylan (Plummer) in their senior year of high school when people around them start spontaneously combusting. In 2022, she starred in the lead role of Miki Anderson in the Aussie crime drama Savage River. The mystery series aired on ABC, with many praising Langford's performance.
The show saw Miki return home from prison after 10 years, but the town wouldn't forget her past so easily. The season ended with Miki leaving town after everything thinks she committed a murder, only to learn in the final episode that there was evidence that cleared her, and she was asked to stay. There is no word on whether it will receive a second season. Katherine Langford is still shining as a leading lady, with the Starz drama, The Venery of Samantha Bird, next on her list. While that was postponed with two episodes remaining thanks to the writers' strike, it appears the young actress has a bright career ahead of her, even after the Netflix Cursed cancelation.
