Here's why Loki is getting a season 2, while other Marvel Cinematic Universe shows aren't. In Phase Four, the MCU is expanding its horizons by producing a full slate of TV shows for Disney+. These series allow Marvel to experiment with various types of storytelling, while also giving key supporting characters an opportunity to be the focus of their own narratives. In the early days, this approach has proven to be very successful, with WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier earning a bevy of Emmy nominations. Those two shows, and Loki, were all hits on Disney+ as well in terms of viewership.

With that kind of track record, it could be surprising that Marvel has seemingly decided to make most of their original programs limited series. It's already been confirmed there won't be a WandaVision season 2, and Falcon and Winter Soldier's story will likely continue in the reported Captain America 4 movie. Right now, Loki is the only Marvel show to officially get a season 2, which may have some people wondering why.

Related: How Loki's Finale Sets Up Season 2

Story is likely the deciding factor here. WandaVision dealt directly with Scarlet Witch's trauma, as she built an idealized fantasy for herself to bury her personal pain. Once her conflict with Agatha Harkness was resolved and Westview's residents were freed, WandaVision reached its natural conclusion. It was an intriguing premise for a show, just not one that organically lends itself to multiple seasons (without being spread thin). Likewise, Falcon and Winter Soldier was also self-contained, revolving around Sam taking on the Captain America mantle. As a concept, it's arguably more open to a season 2 than WandaVision, but the finale felt like an endpoint for that particular story - with Sam firmly entrenched as the MCU's new hero. It's telling Marvel is exploring Captain America 4 over Falcon and Winter Soldier season 2. Scarlet Witch is returning in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The falcon and the winter soldier mcu promise wandavision

In contrast, Loki is more open-ended, concluding with a cliffhanger that saw the timeline fractured into a plethora of realities and the impending threat of a multiverse war. Some of the Loki season 1 fallout will be dealt with in the Marvel movies, but the show has only scraped the tip of the iceberg. There are multiple story threads that need to be resolved, some of which involve central Loki characters. Looking back at season 1 in full, it was laying the foundation for something larger to be explored at a later point in time. Tom Hiddleston is reportedly returning for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but that film won't be able to give all the lingering Loki plot beats the necessary attention they need. Whereas WandaVision and Falcon and Winter Soldier told complete stories with a beginning, middle, and end, Loki season 1 is only the beginning.

The varying approaches to the shows underscores the luxury Marvel has working on a streaming service. With traditional broadcast TV, there potentially could be pressure to extend a popular series beyond season 1 for ratings and advertising purposes. On Disney+, Marvel really has the freedom to let story dictate what they do, which will only benefit the franchise moving forward. What's more is that Disney+ should never be overly-reliant on one particular program over others. By now, Marvel is a big enough brand name to make a hit out of any character, and the studio has several more Disney+ shows in the works. Even if the likes of Hawkeye, She-Hulk, and more don't get second seasons, there will always be new Marvel content to keep audiences engaged.

Next: Has Loki Season 2 Already Filmed? Missing Scenes Theory Explained

Loki will return in the announced Loki season 2.

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