‘Shadow and Bone’ Season 2 Will ‘Steer Off’ Course from the Books

The first season of Netflix’s fantasy series Shadow and Bone combined various storylines from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels. But it looks like the show — which is likely to get a renewal — may steer away from the books in season 2.

‘Shadow and Bone’ is based on a book series

Shadow and Bone follows the stories and characters from Bardugo’s best-selling Grishaverse series. The first trilogy includes Shadow and Bone (2012), Siege and Storm (2013), and Ruin and Rising (2014).

And the author’s later novels — Six of Crows (2015), Crooked Kingdom (2016), King of Scars (2019), and Rule of Wolves (2021) — introduce new characters but are set in the same magical universe.

But the Netflix drama isn’t based on the events of just one novel. It brings together different aspects of Bardugo’s stories and takes liberties with character redevelopment.

The author serves as an executive producer on the show. And to keep it true to her vision, she worked alongside screenwriter/showrunner Eric Heisserer to produce season 1.

Ben Barnes says ‘Shadow and Bone’ Season 2 will go off course

Season 1 of Shadow and Bone did tweak a few aspects of Bardugo’s story. But according to Ben Barnes, who plays General Kirigan, aka The Darkling, season 2 will veer even further. “I’ve obviously read the books, but I think it will steer off from the course of the books, in terms of the second season,” he told Collider.

Barnes also noted that now that The Darkling’s true nature and intentions have been revealed, he’ll become more of a villainous figure as the story progresses.

“I think the character becomes a bit more representative in Alina’s mind of what the darkness is and a bit symbolic, and I wanted to keep him as a human being,” Barnes explained. “He’s many fold more powerful, now that he has the walking, living volcra that he can summon and send at his will, without even having to use his hands to use magic.”

But Leigh Bardugo is going to help steer the story for season 2 as well

Even if Shadow and Bone veers away from the books in season 2, it will still represent Bardugo’s vision. In a separate interview with Collider, the author suggested she’s already working out a story map with the hopes the series gets renewed.

“We don’t know if we’ll get a second season, but we certainly have a plan,” Bardugo said. “And we wanted to lay the foundation for that plan early on.”

And according to the series showrunner, while Shadow and Bone may explore new visions for the Grisha story, Bardugo’s books will continue to serve as a solid foundation.

“There’s so much material that Leigh has written, and there are so many compelling characters. I think this flagship show could last for four seasons, Heisserer told TV Line. And then we could figure out if there’s a new space to live in with any of these people, or any part of the world that we want to spend more time with.”

The entire thrilling season of Netflix’s new fantasy series, Shadow and Bone, teased a romance between orphaned childhood besties Alina Starkov (Jessica Mei Li) and Malyen “Mal” Oretsev. Unfortunately, the two were too cautious about acting on their feelings. But according to the series showrunner, a second season would finally highlight Alina and Mal’s passion for each other.

Will there be a season 2 of ‘Shadow and Bone’ on Netflix?

Shadow and Bone hit Netflix on April 23, 2021. And within days of its release, the series earned the top spot on the streamer’s trending top 10. But despite its early success, Netflix has yet to announce a renewal.

If the show continues to do well in terms of viewership and fan hype, the streamer will likely bring it back for a second season. Fans should expect to hear definite renewal/cancellation news by summer.

The series showrunners are ready for a ‘Shadow and Bone’ season 2

Shadow and Bone is based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels. Serving as an executive producer, the author has been a large part of the development process. And in a recent interview, she talked about the nail-biting cliffhanger ending and revealed that there is already a plan in place for a season 2 story if the show is renewed.

“We have to be cruel in order to get you to race to the internet and demand that Netflix bring us a second season,” Bardugo told Collider. “Of course, we don’t know if we’ll get a second season, but we certainly have a plan, and we wanted to lay the foundation for that plan early on.” And along with Bardugo, showrunner, and screenwriter Eric Heisserer is ready for another season. In fact, he’s hoping the show lasts well beyond that. In a recent interview with TV Line, Heisserer said: 

I want it to run as long as it’s welcome and give life to these characters for as long as we don’t overstay that welcome. There’s so much material that Leigh has written, and there are so many compelling characters, I think this flagship show could last for four seasons. And then we could figure out if there’s a new space to live in with any of these people, or any part of the world that we want to spend more time with. Eric Heisserer, TV Line

Eric Heisserer says a second season would finally bring Alina and Mal together

All season, Shadow and Bone fans waited for Alina and Mal to kiss. But the two remained in the friend zone, never acting on their romantic feelings.

If the series is renewed for season 2, Heisserer promised it would dive into Alina and Mal’s relationship. And he admitted it was something he really wanted to include in the debut season.

“There were definitely moments where a kiss felt warranted,” Heisserer told TV Line. “And I will say this, in a generalization, and I’m certainly not pointing fingers at anybody, but I fought battles on the show. I won some and I lost some. But I believe there is a lot of kissing in their future, should we ever get the opportunity.”