Netflix Hit Show With 20 Million Weekly Views Might Not Get a Second Season After All

Netflix might be rethinking a second season of its hit limited series The Perfect Couple. The streamer had been planning a follow-up based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2024 novel Swan Song, which is also set in Nantucket.

The project was set to be led by Joanna Calo, the executive producer and co-showrunner of The Bear. But according to Deadline, Calo has now left the project. There is no new writer attached yet, and Swan Song is still in the early stages of development. A Netflix spokesperson, when asked, declined to comment.

In Swan Song, a wealthy family called the Richardsons buys a $22 million summer home and throws huge parties. They charm the locals, show off their money with two yachts, and raise high expectations for everyone around them.

But when their house burns down and their key employee disappears, the island is thrown into chaos.

The first season of The Perfect Couple was written and run by Jenna Lamia and starred Nicole Kidman, who also executive produced alongside Susanne Bier. Kidman and Bier are set to return as executive producers if the second season goes ahead, along with other producers from the first season including Gail Berman, Shawn Levy, Per Saari, and Hend Baghdady.

The show did well with audiences. During its first week, from September 2 to 8, it became Netflix’s top series, with 20.3 million views in just four days. The next week, it kept the #1 spot with 21.9 million views.

After two weeks at the top, it slipped to #2 with 10.4 million views, then ranked #3 with 6 million views, #5 with 3.8 million, and #8 with 2.5 million in the following weeks, according to Netflix’s Top 10 rankings.

Critics had mixed feelings. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Perfect Couple has a 66% approval rating based on 73 reviews, with an average score of 6.1/10. The site’s critics’ consensus reads, “Predictability keeps The Perfect Couple far from being perfect, but intriguing performances and attractive vistas keep this seaside murder mystery highly watchable.”

With strong viewing numbers but no clear leadership for Swan Song yet, it is uncertain whether The Perfect Couple will get a second season, as recent reports claim. Netflix seems to be taking its time to figure out the next step.

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