Through a video posted on Twitter, actress Sarah Paulson has confirmed that Ratched, the Netflix series that enchanted fans four years ago, will not return for a second season, putting an end to fans' expectations after a long wait since its premiere. Although it would initially have two seasons, news about the future of the fiction had been scarce, leading to speculation about its possible cancellation silently. Thus, with the recent confirmation of its protagonist, it is official that the show won't have more episodes.
Launching September 18, 2020 and produced by Ryan Murphy, the show functions as a prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but you can enjoy independently of the original work. Its cast includes notable figures such as Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) and Jon Jon Briones. With these actors, the fiction was well received by both critics and audiences and stood out as an award nomination magnet, earning 4 Emmy Award nominations. However, its high production costs, which ranged between 10 and 15 million dollars per episode, seem to have worked against it.
The story behind the development and eventual cancellation of Ratched is complex. Originally, Netflix had plans for two seasons, with origins in September 2017 and would have a total of no less than 18 episodes. Over the years, the lack of news regarding the future of this television production raised questions, until, in January 2024, Sarah Paulson spoke to a fan at an event confirming that the series would not be returning for a second season. Several factors could have contributed to this decision, such as scheduling complications after COVID-19 and Ryan Murphy's commitment to other projects both at Netflix and elsewhere.