Created by Dark’s Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, fans were eagerly waiting for 1899 Season 2, but Netflix canceled it. The series gained similar traction as Dark, had an ample amount of cliffhangers to continue for more than a season, and got an instant cult following. Despite this, the show was canceled, leaving fans wondering why. Here’s a breakdown on why Netflix took that decision and more.
Why was 1899 canceled by Netflix?
Despite entering Netflix’s global Top 10 chart in its first few weeks, 1899 might have been canceled because of Netflix’s increasingly data-driven strategy.
Netflix has prioritized series that hook viewers fast and keep them watching through the end. It seems 1899, with its slow-burn pacing, cerebral arc, and layered symbolism, didn’t fit that mold. For all its ambition, the series may have simply been too intricate for a platform having short-term retention metrics. Although the platform never issued a detailed explanation, industry watchers pointed to Netflix’s increasing reliance on metrics like viewer retention and completion rates.
There could also be the issue of cost. 1899 wasn’t a modest production as it was filmed on a virtual stage known as “Volume,” which allowed the team to craft immersive, otherworldly backdrops. This visual innovation came with a hefty price tag, estimated between $50 to $60 million for the first season. Given the financial commitment, Netflix likely weighed cost against its engagement stats and chose not to roll the dice on another season. (via Comic Book)
What made the cancellation hit harder for the fans was the sense that 1899 was just getting started. Season 1 ended with a nail-biting cliffhanger, suggesting the 19th-century setting was part of a simulated reality and teasing a jump to the year 2099. It wasn’t a series that wrapped up its storylines; rather, it laid the groundwork for something bigger. The decision to cancel 1899 early left its mysteries unresolved and its fanbase without payoff.
While 1899 sank before it could fully set sail, its creators haven’t stopped creating. Odar and Friese are now developing Tyll, a historical fantasy based on the acclaimed novel by Daniel Kehlmann.
