Summary

• The future of 'The Watcher' season 2 is uncertain, as star Naomi Watts is unsure if she will return or if the show will even continue.
• Ryan Murphy has a history of creating anthology series, so 'The Watcher' season 2 may focus on new characters and stories.
• It is possible that 'The Watcher' season 2 could become an anthology exploring other cases of suburban horror, rather than continuing the same story.

The Watcher's popularity and ambiguous ending left audiences expecting a season 2. Ryan Murphy's true crime thriller is loosely based on the story of 657 Boulevard and tells the story of the Brannocks (fictionalized versions of the Broaddus family) whose move to a seemingly idyllic suburban home proves disastrous. When the family receives threatening letters from an anonymous "Watcher", they hire a private eye to help solve the case. The watcher's identity is never revealed, and the series ends ominously for both the Brannocks and the new residents of 657 Boulevard.

Like many Ryan Murphy TV shows, The Watcher proved to be a hit with audiences, even if critics were less than pleased with the thriller (via Rotten Tomatoes). Some were unhappy with the creative liberties taken with the real story, while others found it lackluster compared to the copious number of contemporary series telling similar stories. Nevertheless, The Watcher struck a nerve in its first season and has even been green-lit to return for a second outing. Despite that, news has been scant.

Related: Who Was The Watcher? Every Theory & Update

The Watcher Season 2 Latest News

Naomi Watts' Uncertain Update

Not long after the first season ended, the series was green-lit for a second, but the latest news finds star Naomi Watts offer an uncertain update on The Watcher season 2. The celebrated actor appeared in the first season as Nora Braddock, but now she is less certain that she will appear, or if the show will even return at all. "I know they said yes to the next series, but I haven't heard anything more" said Watts, "I don't know if we'll be coming back".

Ryan Murphy is no stranger to expanding his so-called miniseries, and it could be that The Watcher season 2 will leave the Braddock family behind for some new tale of suburban stalking. Murphy's Feud and Monster series have all changed subjects from season to season and the former has found success while the latter has yet to premiere.

The Watcher Season 2 Is Confirmed

The Watcher Is More Than A Miniseries

Netflix has found great success with TV maven Ryan Murphy, and it came as no surprise when The Watcher was green-lit for a second season, despite being billed as a miniseries. The announcement came in conjunction with the renewal of Murphy's more controversial true crime series Monster which was announced as an anthology. Despite the quick renewal, almost nothing has been revealed about The Watcher, while Monster has continued to develop with a second season well on its way.

The Watcher Season 2 Cast

Will Anyone Return?

The Watcher season 1 featured a well-known and talented cast, all of whom could return if season 2 carried on the same story. Apart from Dumzweni's Theodora Birch, who dies of cancer in The Watcher season 1 finale, every major character survives season 1 and could return for the show's renewal. However, Naomi Watt's update on the series might suggest that The Watcher is also becoming an anthology which would necessitate an all-new cast, something Ryan Murphy's shows are well known for.

The Watcher Season 2 Story

Could It Be An Anthology?

So far, it is unclear whether The Watcher season 2 will continue from where the first season left off, or take the story in an entirely new direction. Considering Naomi Watt's comments on season 2, the former is becoming increasingly less likely as time passes. On top of that, the true crime nature of the story does limit how far the second season could take things since the ending of The Watcher was also the ending of the real-life story, and everything else would be fiction. The Watcher season 2 could become an anthology that explores other cases of suburban horror.

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  The Watcher (2022)

  Cast:

  Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Seth Gabel, Terry Kinney, Richard Kind, Joe Mantello, Mia Farrow, Jennifer Coolidge, Noma Dumezweni, Margo Martindale, Henry Hunter Hall

  Release Date:

  2022-10-13

  Seasons:

  1

  Genres:

  Drama, Horror, Mystery, True Crime

  Story By:

  Reeves Wiedeman

  Writers:

  Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Reilly Smith, Todd Kubrak

  Network:

  Netflix

  Streaming Service(s):

  Netflix

  Directors:

  Ryan Murphy

  Showrunner:

  Ryan Murphy