Altered Carbon season 2 will follow the continuing misadventures of mercenary Takeshi Kovacs, but what can fans expect from the next season of Netflix’s sci-fi epic? Altered Carbon is based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan, and is set in a world where human consciousness has been digitized and people can transfer to different bodies known as “sleeves.” The show follows Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman) who is revived 250 years after being defeated in a rebel uprising and tasked with solving a complex murder.
Altered Carbon provided viewers with a rich, cyberpunk world filled with great action sequences and plenty of twists. While the budget of the show wasn’t revealed, star Joel Kinnaman claimed it was bigger than the cost of the first 3 seasons of Game Of Thrones combined. While season 1 covered Morgan’s first book, the author wrote 2 further novels that take the story in new directions.
Related: Altered Carbon Season 1 Review
Here’s everything we know about Altered Carbon season 2 so far.
Netflix Renewed Altered Carbon For A Second Season
Despite the popularity of Altered Carbon season 1, it wasn’t necessarily a given the show would return. The series was expensive to produce and reviews were somewhat mixed, but it clearly performed well for streaming giant Netflix, since it was confirmed in July 2018 Altered Carbon season 2 was moving ahead. Creator Laeta Kalogridis, who spent 15 years developing the project will also be returning, with Alison Schapker acting as co-showrunner. The second season will run for 8 episodes, as opposed to the 10 episodes that made up season 1.
When Will Altered Carbon Season 2 Release?
Netflix has yet to reveal a release date for Altered Carbon season 2. The show is a blockbuster production, but since filming on the second season only commenced in February 2019, it probably won’t return until late 2019 at the very earliest. Netflix recently dropped a video revealing the full cast of Altered Carbon season 2.
What Is The Story Of Altered Carbon Season 2?
While the plot of Altered Carbon season 2 has yet to be confirmed, it's expected to draw from Richard K. Morgan’s second book Broken Angels, which takes place 30 years after the first novel. In the book, Kovacs’ consciousness is transported into a new sleeve on a different planet and he becomes involved with a new uprising. Showrunner Laeta Kalogridis has stated season 2 will probably deviate from the events of Broken Angels, however, which would be costly to reproduce in live-action, including a huge alien spacecraft and nuclear explosions.
Anthony Mackie Replaces Joel Kinnaman As The Lead Of Altered Carbon Season 2
Joel Kinnaman cast doubt on his return following the end of the series, with Kovacs expected to inhabit a new body in Altered Carbon season 2. It was later confirmed Anthony Mackie would take over as Kovacs' new sleeve. Quellcrist Falconer (Renee Elise Goldsberry) and Poe (Chris Conner) will return from season 1.
There’s A Five Season Plan For Altered Carbon
Should the show continue to perform well for Netflix, Richard K. Morgan has stated Altered Carbon is aiming for a five-season run. This could mean more books too, considering there’s currently only one more novel in the series, Woken Furies, following Broken Angels. Joel Kinnaman has also stated the show’s body-hopping concept allows it to be something of an anthology, featuring new worlds and a new cast each season.
Altered Carbon Will Receive An Anime Movie
Netflix confirmed in late 2018 Altered Carbon will receive an anime adaptation. No plot details for this anime have been revealed, other than it being set in the same universe as the show and that it will explore new elements of the mythology.