When Netflix first revealed the trailer for its German original series Dark, audience expectations were high for this new series to be the foreign equivalent of Stranger Things. Most shows would struggle to meet that level of hype and hope, Dark thrived, and its Season 1 release earned acclaim from critics and Netflix subscribers alike for its tense and terrifying storytelling. Now, only a short while after it premiered, Netflix has officially announced that Dark was renewed for Season 2, confirming the terror will continue on in 2018.
Dark is the first original production for Netflix out of Germany, and as such, it's the first of its kind to be renewed for a new season. Netflix also reports the series currently holds the title of the most watched non-English show in its ever-expanding library, which says a lot about how well this project succeeded in pulling in audiences beyond the borders of Germany. As for what countries specifically found resonance with the drama, the streaming service lists the U.S., Brazil, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and France as big bingers of the show, although other countries are said to enjoy it as well. The warm international response to Dark is great not for the show itself, but perhaps also for other foreign production companies, since Dark's success might lead the company to take more large-scale projects outside of the U.S. And if they happen to be atmospheric horror dramas, so be it.
Of course, audiences weren't just drawn to Dark because of where it came from, as the multi-generational tale surrounding the town of Winden, Germany, was lauded by many for its tense and unnerving tale. With Season 2 a guarantee, fans of Dark will now get to see the tale continue past that cliffhanger that those who haven't watched wouldn't wish to be spoiled. Suffice to say, it was the type of twist that can turn a series on its head, and if done right, Dark will set Season 2 on a path of acclaim that might even exceed that of Season 1.
Beyond the news of Dark being renewed for Season 2, Netflix hasn't revealed much about what to expect. As it usually goes, no episode count has been given, and a release window has been left out of the announcement as well. Considering the intricate and complex storyline the series is known for, it's understandable that showrunners Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese may not have all the answers yet. That said, fans of this series might have a long wait ahead of them, with little more than this promotional video to hold them over in the meantime:
Dark Season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix. For a look at what other shows will be premiering or returning to television in the coming weeks, head on over to either our fall premiere guide or midseason premiere guide to stay up to date. Those wishing to see which shows were canceled in 2017 should head over to our cancellation guide.
