The prospects for a second season of the Resident Evil series on Netflix are looking quite doubtful, as per reports from insiders.
Devotees of the beloved survival horror franchise have often been left wanting by film and television adaptations of the series. Many have had to make do with the film series directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and the more recent “Welcome to Raccoon City.”
The ‘Resident Evil’ Series on Netflix Fails to Impress
Earlier this year, Netflix debuted a fresh live-action series based on ‘Resident Evil’, featuring Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker and his twins, stirring some initial excitement. However, this series has left many viewers unsatisfied.
Andrew Dabb, the show’s creator, had big promises for fans, including alignment of the ‘Resident Evil’ Netflix series with the storyline of the video games. As a result, the show treated fans to appearances by Lickers, a colossal Spider, and a variation of Dr. Salvador among others.
The Question of ‘Resident Evil’s Canonicity on Netflix
To give the show some dues, it did present its creatures with impressive visual fidelity. Yet, the claim of being “canon” often fell flat, as the presence of certain characters and creatures seemed more like a nod to remind viewers of its ‘Resident Evil’ roots rather than significant, plot-driven inclusion.
Beyond a superficial resolution to an Albert Wesker storyline mystery, there was little explanation for the inclusion of many series elements. Despite producers’ claims that this series aligns with ‘Resident Evil’ lore, as a writer, I find it hard to reconcile the connection of the TV characters and creatures with their video game counterparts. It seems the “canon” label was mainly a siren’s call for franchise enthusiasts.
While the series wasn’t a total washout with everyone, the overall reception on review aggregates like Rotten Tomatoes was lukewarm at best. At the time of this writing, the ‘Resident Evil’ Netflix series stands with a critic score of 55% and an audience approval of 27%, along with a modest 3.9/10 rating on IMDB.
Considering these scores, it’s not exactly shocking to hear that a second season is in jeopardy. This is despite Andrew Dabb’s eagerness to weave the character of Lady Dimitrescu into the series going forward.
The Fate of Season Two
According to a piece from Small Screen, inside sources suggest that a second season is quite doubtful at the current time.
“The follow-up season to [Resident Evil] is appearing very doubtful at this point. No formal verdict has been made yet. The show’s future seems to be on thin ice,” the source reportedly said.
While rumors and hearsay should be considered with skepticism, the dim reception this series has garnered lends weight to the possibility of cancellation.
In other related news, fans can look forward to the ‘Resident Evil 4’ remake set to launch on March 24th, 2022, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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Don’t forget to check out our video of the week where we highlight 10 of the most terrifying horror games out there. What’s your horror game of choice?
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