Paradise, the post-apocalyptic Hulu series, came out of relative nowhere to be a top-scoring series, even being nominated for Best Drama at the Emmys this past year alongside giants like The Pitt and Severance. And it’s starting to feel like more and more shows are attempting to shed a recent streaming development, these giant, yawning, years-long gaps between seasons. Paradise included, as its season 2 release date is nigh.
Paradise season 2’s release date is February 23, 2026, just over a month from now, and that will be about 13 months since the release of season 1, far from the 1.5-2 year average of most high-profile series. I checked to see if this was unique in the “top” category of other Best Drama nominees, but I was surprised to find it wasn’t, hence it being part of a growing trend.
The Pitt has stated it means to be released every January, year after year. The Diplomat is a rare Netflix show that now airs yearly, seasons 2 and 3 both in October of subsequent years. Slow Horses is produced so fast it does things like start filming season 7 before season 5 has even aired. It’s wild. Now, we add Paradise to that list. The other half? A sharp contrast with 2.5-3 year waits for the return of series like The Last of Us and Severance, but even shows like this know they need to pick up the pace.
As for Paradise season 2, things move into new territory where (spoilers) part of the series will now take place on the surface, where it turns out, no, everyone is not dead, including Xavier’s wife. Though obviously much of the show is staying under the dome, where the idyllic nature of its society is quickly unraveling.
One big bummer is that this season will continue on without James Marsden, who played President Cal Bradford, who is found murdered as the impetus for the storyline, but appeared in a host of flashbacks that still made him a main character. Outside of maybe another cameo or two, he’s left the series. He’s returned to his role as Cyclops for Avengers: Doomsday, and he will be a big part of Friends and Neighbors season 2 on Apple TV, which premieres this April.
I am at least a little surprised that Paradise attracts this much praise. I think it’s pretty good, but perhaps not “Best Drama” worthy, with one exception. Episode 7 of the series, The Day, is probably the single best rendition of an apocalyptic event unfolding in real time and the panic that ensues. It was easily one of the best episodes of television of last year. I’m just not sure the rest can measure up. We’ll see how season 2 does in a month.
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