Though there was little doubt, Netflix has made it official: Sense8 and Luke Cage will be returning for second seasons. In the former’s case, a Christmas special has also been announced and is set to launch on Dec. 23.
Sense8, created and executive-produced by the Wachowski siblings (The Matrix), was met with mixed reviews upon its summer 2015 premiere, but reception improved once critics and viewers were able to binge it in its entirety. The series opened on eight strangers in different parts of the world as they became “sensates”—mentally and emotionally interconnected humans. From there, it explored gender, sexuality, and queer identity, with a particularly infamous orgy scene drawing attention along the way. Its second season, which includes a controversial actor replacement, will premiere May 5.
The latest entrant in Netflix’s Marvel canon, Luke Cage drew attention for the strong lead performance from Mike Colter and for its intimate atmosphere—particularly, the day-to-day interactions among the residents of its Harlem community. A second season was long considered an inevitability, but as for when that season might debut, that’s very much up in the air. Netflix still has its Defenders team-up series to launch, not to mention new seasons of Jessica Jones and Daredevil. It’s reasonable to assume that the streaming service won’t be prepared to launch Luke Cage Season 2 before 2018 rolls around. Until then:
