Are the negotiations still happening behind closed doors? If you’re curious to know more, then continue reading to find out more about Beef Season 2.
It has been months since we last saw the first season of Beef, which premiered earlier this year on April 6, 2023, and was met with critical acclaim, which praised Yeun’s and Wong’s performances, as well as the writing and directing, which excited the fans to know when the series will be renewed for additional seasons, which is quite a valid query to raise when we consider the fact that the show has the potential to be expanded further by meeting the demands of the viewers.
But if you have been keeping up with the show’s current status, then you’ll know that three months have already passed since the show aired, which is quite a long time for Netflix to approve any original series for additional seasons, which makes it a bit concerning and leads to confusion among the fans as to why the delay has happened. So, if you’re thinking the same thing, then don’t worry!
To curb your doubts, we’ve mentioned below several possible reasons why the show’s renewal has been pushed back:
Reason 1: The 2023 Writers Guild of America strike is an ongoing labor dispute between the Writers Guild of America, which represents 11,500 screenwriters, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. It has been one of the major reasons why many networks, including Netflix, have started to put a hold on the approval or production of the series for a while, especially until a resolution has been reached for the writer’s compensation. Due to this, we speculate that the renewal for the second season might not have been approved as of now.
Reason 2: The crew might be taking a break in order to get the future seasons of the show sorted, as it was initially released as a limited series, but Lee Sung Jin confirmed later that the plans for the show to last three more seasons are still on the table as he has already mapped out the ideas for additional seasons in his head, which is a great sign and makes it understandable why the renewal approval might have taken such a long time to get an official announcement.
Reason 3: The last reason that could have contributed to the delay is a possible actor’s strike, which is also heading the network’s way. After tense negotiations between the Hollywood actors’ union and the major studios, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the guild announced that the contract will now expire on July 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
As the actors union and the studios and networks group said in a joint statement. “The parties will continue to negotiate under a mutually agreed-upon media blackout.” Due to this, actors might still stay on the job for now, but everything can take a complete 360 turn, and an actor’s strike can begin, causing networks to postpone many series, including Beef’s Season 2, despite evaluating the overall reception viewership of the show which will be quite unfortunate.
Until there is any official announcement, we’ll just have to wait and hope for the best!
Beef Season 2: If renewed, when is it expected to return?
As previously stated, the series has not been formally renewed, due to which the premiere date has yet to be announced, as the status is neither here nor there. So, if the show is renewed in a few weeks, we can predict that the potential release date can be around 2024, as early renewal results in production starting on a timed schedule, resulting in a similar year gap with the next installments.
In order to receive updates on when the second season of Beef gets approved by Netflix, interested viewers can also enable notifications.
Until then, fans should keep a close eye on the social media handles of the show to learn about any new updates. While we understand your anticipation surrounding the lack of updates for its return, the viewer should consider the fact that Netflix usually tends to take its time, which lasts up to six months utmost after the initial premiere, before announcing such a major renewal update. This makes the ideal time for renewal to be made in the coming months if it ever happens and moves forward!
Because right now, it seems unlikely that the black comedy-drama television series created by Korean director Lee Sung Jin for Netflix will make an official comeback in 2023!
Beef Season 2 Plot: What can the fans expect?
It’s far too early to speculate on the plotlines, but creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin told Elle, “Cards on the table, we did pitch this show as a limited anthology, so there is sort of a close-ended-ness to the story [of Danny and Amy]” Further adding, “But, if given the opportunity, of course, I’d love to explore them further, because Danny and Amy, I love those characters. But yeah, by design, though, this is a close-ended narrative.”
Further seasons would examine “multiple other beefs and other character types,” he continued, adopting the well-liked anthology plots, which is a good idea as the fans loved the format! The show could follow a different pair and their beef with each other. As Variety noted, “shows in the limited or anthology race have frequently returned — with or without the original cast or story intact.”
“I wanted it to have a conclusive feel just in case,” the creator of the show told The Rolling Stone, adding, “but there are a lot of ideas on my end to keep this story going. I think should we be blessed with a Season Two, there’s a lot of ways for Danny and Amy to continue. I have one really big general idea that I can’t really say yet, but I have three seasons mapped out in my head currently.”
These statements are an excellent sign that the network may actually think about approving early renewals for the upcoming few years in order to develop its vast catalog with new and distinctive genres of shows that truly deserve acclaim and a space for the viewers to discover and add to their streaming wishlist. In conclusion, even if Beef Season 2’s future is currently unclear, there are numerous encouraging signs that suggest a potential renewal soon.
On the other hand, no information has been disclosed about the star cast of the second season, but the creator and showrunner, Lee Sung Jin, have stated that the first season’s season finale has definitely ended the story for Danny and Amy. So, there is a chance that we can expect an entirely new cast for the second season, with some familiar faces but not the exact main cast, as the story might completely shift from the first season into expanding for additional seasons.
The network may also order a second season with at least 10 episodes, just like the first season, with an average runtime lasting 30 to 39 minutes. We want to clarify that this episode count isn’t officially set and can be changed if the plot of the next season is much bigger than expected, leading to a supersized season that the fans certainly won’t complain about. As stated previously, the ongoing writer’s strike can also impact the writing, as many writers have stopped their work until a proper resolution is made.
Beef Season 1: A Quick Recap
The official synopsis of the series’ first season is as follows, “Beef follows the aftermath of a road rage incident between two strangers. Danny Cho (Steven Yeun), a failing contractor with a chip on his shoulder, goes head-to-head with Amy Lau (Ali Wong), a self-made entrepreneur with a picturesque life. The increasing stakes of their feud unravel their lives and relationships in this darkly comedic and deeply moving series.”
In the final episode, “Figures of Light,” which was directed and written by Lee Sung Jin, we got to see Amy and Danny attack each other on the cliffs.
But reluctantly, they wind up relying on each other after they realize they are both injured and stranded with no cell phone reception. Amy forces Danny to forage for food, which leads them to consume poisonous berries. Through hallucinations, they confide in each other and come to an understanding of their respective sadnesses. The two are eventually able to recover reception. Paul is revealed to be alive and well through a text sent to Danny, while Amy has received numerous texts about her whereabouts.
They find and make their way to a tunnel, where Amy offers to help Danny avoid jail time. He kindly refuses, telling her he’ll deal with whatever happens. However, as they reach the end of the tunnel, George appears and shoots Danny, critically injuring him. Later at the hospital, Amy is seen spending her days sitting at Danny’s bedside and hugging him in his bed as the series closes on this scene as his arm moves to hug her back.
Last but not least, the series is available exclusively for streaming on Netflix, with other series of the same genre also accessible with a range of membership options. The video quality and the number of screens you can use to stream Netflix simultaneously depend on the package you choose. The basic membership starts at $9.99/month, and the standard membership starts at $15.49/month at no additional cost with any of their services.
In the meantime, check out the official clip of Steven Yeun (Danny/Executive Producer) and Ali Wong (Amy/Executive Producer) being joined by Lee Sung Jin (Creator/Showrunner) to discuss that explosive finale on Netflix’s YouTube channel below:
Catch up on the previous season while you wait for more Beef Season 2 updates on Web News Observer.