The prequel series, consisting of three episodes, premiered on Peacock in September 2023 and was initially billed as a limited series.
In a recent interview, Basil Iwanyk, a producer on both The Continental and the John Wick film franchise, seemingly confirmed that a second season on Peacock is unlikely. When asked about the hope for Season 2, Iwanyk stated that while they “talked a little bit about season two,” the current feeling is that future television content within the John Wick universe will likely focus on the Robert Levine version they are currently negotiating.
Iwanyk elaborated, expressing his fondness for the 1970s setting and Albert Hughes’ direction of The Continental, calling it a “really cool, crazy idea.” However, he indicated a shift in focus towards projects that will “inform more of what the future of the franchise is going to be.”
He was referencing the sequel series John Wick: Under the High Table, which was announced in August and will be executive produced by Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski, with Stahelski also directing the pilot.
This suggests that while the creative team was happy with the first season of The Continental and discussed a potential second, the current direction for television content in the John Wick universe is leaning towards Under the High Table.
The Creative Team’s Interest and Ideas for Season 2.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, the creative team behind The Continental has hinted at possibilities for a second season. Executive producer Erica Lee stated that “there’s certainly room for more stories that we would love to tell.” She indicated that if the show performs well according to streaming metrics, they would be ready to begin production on a second season.
Director Albert Hughes also revealed that he had already considered where a potential second season could go. Speaking to IGN, Hughes mentioned that he had been considering a second season set in the 1980s, an idea initially proposed by showrunner Kirk Ward.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the ’80s and stated that “we actually have a plan for what would happen in the ’80s. So that’s exciting.” However, he also candidly admitted in October 2023 that he “hasn’t heard anything” from Peacock regarding a second season.
Hughes also shared his thoughts on Winston’s character development, suggesting that a second season could explore whether “absolute power corrupts absolutely” and if Winston would “learn a lesson about wielding it with a benevolent hand instead of a dictatorial one, which Cormac did?” He pointed to the symbolic red bird as a representation of this potential arc.
Potential Release Date Prediction.
Given that The Continental Season 2 has not been confirmed, predicting a release date is challenging. However, the YouTube channel “Recapify” notes that the first season premiered approximately 1.5 years after the start of filming.
If a second season were to be greenlit, it is speculated that new episodes would likely not arrive until late 2024 or early 2025 at the earliest. It is important to note that this prediction was made before producer Iwanyk’s more recent statements suggesting a second season is unlikely.
Possible Cast for Season 2
If The Continental were to return for a second season, Colin Woodell would likely reprise his role as a younger Winston Scott, as the character survives until the events of the John Wick movies. Given that Cormac did not survive the first season, Mel Gibson is not expected to return. Similarly, Katie McGrath’s character, the Adjudicator, also seems unlikely to reappear.
The return of other characters like Mishel Prada as KD and Ayo Adegun as Charon is less certain and would depend on how their storylines fit into a potential second season.
If the show were to jump to the 1980s, as has been discussed, it would open up opportunities for new characters. Intriguingly, this time jump could also allow for the appearance of younger versions of characters from the John Wick movies, including a younger John Wick himself. Born in 1964, a late 1980s setting could potentially feature John as he was beginning to establish his formidable reputation.
Potential Storylines for Season 2
The first season of The Continental concluded with Winston taking control of the hotel after a war with the High Council. However, several plot threads and cliffhangers remained unresolved. These included the unexplored backstory of Lou’s father as an assassin and the whereabouts of Charlie. Furthermore, Winston’s violent takeover of The Continental might not be something the High Table would easily overlook.
The prevailing idea for a potential second season, as suggested by the creative team, is a time jump to the 1980s. This would allow the show to explore Winston’s continued journey as the owner of The Continental and the evolving conflicts within the hotel during a new decade. Director Hughes’ interest in exploring Winston’s transformation into the character seen in the films further supports this potential direction.
The Future of the John Wick Universe on Television.
While the prospects for The Continental Season 2 seem dim based on recent producer statements, the John Wick universe is set to expand on television with John Wick: Under the High Table. This sequel series will pick up directly after the events of John Wick: Chapter 4 and will follow new characters navigating the changed landscape of the High Table. The involvement of Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski as executive producers, with Stahelski directing the pilot, suggests a strong connection to the film franchise.
Furthermore, a fifth John Wick film is also in development, and Under the High Table is reportedly not expected to interfere with these plans.
Conclusion.
While the first season of The Continental provided a compelling glimpse into the history of the iconic hotel and Winston Scott’s rise to power, the likelihood of a second season on Peacock appears low. Producer Basil Iwanyk’s recent statements indicate a strategic shift towards the John Wick: Under the High Table series as the primary focus for television content in the franchise.
Despite the creative team’s initial interest in a second season set in the 1980s and director Albert Hughes’ developed ideas, there has been no official renewal from Peacock. Fans hoping for more of The Continental may need to find solace in the existing three episodes and look forward to the upcoming John Wick: Under the High Table and the fifth film in the main series for further exploration of this rich and action-packed universe.
Dennis Guy, I am a seasoned film critic and storyteller extraordinaire, is the driving force behind the insightful and captivating movie reviews on MovieReviewFY.com. With a passion for cinema that transcends genres and a keen eye for detail, Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the world of film critique.
