HBO has chosen not to move forward with the previously planned second season of the adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Outsider,” featuring Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Erivo. According to HBO and HBO Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys, the decision was made due to the difficulty in identifying a narrative deemed compelling enough to continue the series.
In a statement to EW, Casey Bloys said:
“We try to approach everything as if there’s going to be Season 2. And it’s always a challenge when you have something that is based on a book and obviously with The Outsider you’ve got a great roadmap. So if you’re going to go and do more without that, you got to make really sure there’s a story to tell. We just didn’t feel like we landed on a story that would live up to the first season.”
Since the first season of “The Outsider” already adapted most of Stephen King’s novel, the challenge for a second season lies in creating an entirely new story. Despite HBO passing on it, producers are exploring options and shopping Season 2 to premium networks and streaming platforms. Netflix is reportedly a front-runner in the potential list of platforms interested in picking up the series.
There are also slim chances that ‘The Outsider’ could entirely move to Netflix for another season.
What was ‘The Outsider’ all about?
The first season of “The Outsider” stars Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, Bill Camp, Mare Winningham, Paddy Considine, Julianne Nicholson, and Jason Bateman.
The story begins with the discovery of an eleven-year-old boy’s body in a park. Terry Maitland, a Little League coach, English teacher, and family man, becomes the prime suspect based on eyewitnesses and fingerprints. Detective Ralph Anderson, connected to Maitland through his son, orders a swift arrest. Despite Maitland’s alibi, additional DNA evidence is brought into the investigation by Anderson and the district attorney. As the inquiry progresses, revealing answers, the central question arises: Is Maitland concealing a darker truth beneath his amiable exterior? The revelation promises to be startling.
Fans can keep their fingers crossed and hope for Netflix to bring another exciting and thrilling season of ‘The Outsider’.