Time to say goodbye

Earlier this month, it was announced that Sense8 would not be renewed for a third season. Following the confirmation, fans of the series were quick to express their disappointment online. Hashtags trended and petitions were signed—and that voice was loud enough that the show’s creators and Netflix could not ignore it.

The numbers that killed Sense8

After the season 2 cliffhanger, Netflix went on the record to explain its decision to cancel the show. Reportedly, Sense8 did not attract a big enough audience to justify its US$9 million/episode budget. The number is staggering, but when you consider the scope of Sense8—shooting across nine countries—the costs start getting clearer. Not that understanding makes the cancellation any less painful.

The love that brought Sense8 back to life

So as an olive branch and point of compromise, Netflix confirmed that a two-hour finale will be released in 2018. That way, the Sense8 fan base would get the closure that they deserve. Co-creator Lana Wachowski posted her own statement online as a thank you to both fans and Netflix.

“The passionate letters, the petitions, the collective voice that rose up like the first of Sun to fight for this show was beyond what anyone was expecting,” she wrote. “It is my great pleasure as well as Netflix’s (believe me, they love the show as much as we do but the numbers have always been challenging) to announce that there will be another two-hour special released next year.”

The hope for more

Lana’s statement ended with one glimmer of hope that Sense8 could be back for more. “If this experience has taught me anything,” she wrote. “You NEVER know.”

It is not a clear indication that the show will be back for a full season—or anything—after the confirmed two-hour finale. But it’s something.

You can catch the two seasons of Sense8 on Netflix with Globe.