HBO's Lovecraft Country is not returning for season 2. The TV show adaptation of Matt Ruff's Lovecraft Country novel was highly anticipated from the moment HBO announced its development. The series included J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele as producers, and eventually cast Jonathan Majors as Atticus and Jurnee Smollett as his friend Letitia. Lovecraft Country was one of 2020's best shows as it combined sci-fi elements and social commentary about racism as it told a compelling story.
The apparent success of Lovecraft Country led to discussions about a second season happening. Series creator, Misha Green, began hatching ideas for where the story could go next by the time Lovecraft Country's season one finale aired in October. Fans of the series largely expected that a season 2 renewal was nothing but a formality, especially after the first season left plenty of unanswered questions. Lovecraft Country season 2 was still being developed in early 2021 and there were rumors it would start filming sometime later this year. However, that won't be happening.
HBO officially confirmed to Deadline that Lovecraft Country is not returning for season 2. All parties involved with the show ultimately came to the decision that it would be best not to make a second season. This marks the end to the critically acclaimed series after just one season. Read the full statement released by HBO regarding Lovecraft Country's cancelation below:
We will not be moving forward with a second season of Lovecraft Country. We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of the gifted cast and crew, and to Misha Green, who crafted this groundbreaking series. And to the fans, thank you for joining us on this journey.
The news of Lovecraft Country's cancelation is sure to come as a surprise to many viewers of the show. It does appear that this was a mutual decision on the part of HBO and the show's creators to not move forward with Lovecraft Country season 2 though. The main issue might have been finding the right story to tell next. The first season was based on Matt Ruff's book of the same name, but there was no source material for where the story goes next. After spending a few months trying to come up with the next chapter of the story, it is possible Misha Green and everyone else involved with Lovecraft Country agreed it was best to leave the story as it currently stands.
Although fans of Lovecraft Country will be disappointed with this outcome, those involved with the series already have plenty of other projects on the horizon. Misha Green is writing and directing Tomb Raider 2 starring Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft, which will be her feature film directorial debut. Jonathan Majors will be the villain opposite Michael B. Jordan in Creed III, and he'll also play Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Meanwhile, Jurnee Smollett will next be seen in Netflix's action movie Escape from Spiderhead starring Chris Hemsworth.
Source: Deadline