Netflix has canceled Neil Patrick Harris' Uncoupled after one season. Created by Darren Star and Jeffrey Richman, the comedy series released in 2022, with Harris playing Michael Lawson, a successful real estate agent who thinks his life is perfect until his partner of 17 years (Colin) abruptly moves out and ends their relationship without warning. The show explores Michael dealing with the sudden loss of the person he thought was his soulmate. As Michael struggles to move forward, he also navigates the challenges of suddenly being a single gay man in his mid-forties living in New York City. Michael's real-estate partner and friend Suzanne also plays a significant role in the series, as do Michael's other friends Billy and Stanley.
Variety has brought word that Netflix has canceled Uncoupled, confirming that the streamer will not continue the story of Michael and his friends in a season 2. Despite a largely favorable reception and 73 percent critical score and 75 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Uncoupled's inability to remain in Netflix's weekly Top 10 rankings for long did not bode well for the show's renewal. Nevertheless, series creator Darren Star is still working closely with Netflix as he also created the streaming service's hit series Emily in Paris, with season 3 having released this past December and the in-development season 4 expected to answer many of the show's biggest unanswered questions. While Uncoupled also ended with many unanswered questions, they are unlikely to be answered given Netflix's decision.
What Would Have Happened In Uncoupled Season 2?
The numerous cliffhangers in the ending of Uncoupled season 1 offer insight into what would have happened in a potential season 2. After struggling to get over Colin all season, Michael finally was at peace with himself and had moved on as the finale reached its conclusion. However, when Michael returned to his apartment, he found Colin waiting for him, waiting to tearfully tell Michael that he thinks he made a mistake. An Uncoupled season 2 would've likely revealed the mistake Colin felt he made, presumably that he shouldn't have left Michael, and whether he or Michael would've gotten back together, especially after Michael's likable character development during season 1.
Michael's friends also would've had their fair share of challenges to navigate in season 2. Stanley revealed in Uncoupled season 1 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer and would've shown how he responded to this life-changing news and how Michael and Billy would try to him. After having to confront his narcissism and that just being the "fun friend" isn't enough, Billy set himself on a path to be a better friend and person, and his redemptive journey would've been a significant part of the scrapped season 2. Meanwhile, the Uncoupled season 1 ending showed Suzanne learning the identity of her son's father, but his face was not shown to the audience, which season 2 could've unmasked and explored the impact this revelation and its consequences would have on Suzanne and her son Kai.
It is disappointing to see Uncoupled the growing list of prematurely canceled Netflix series, a phenomenon that is becoming all too common for the streaming service. Fans of the series can still enjoy future seasons of Star's Emily in Paris and can see Neil Patrick Harris in the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary special releasing in November. While many television series are being prematurely canceled these days, there are also cases of shows being saved and brought back to finish their stories, meaning there is always a chance that the story of Uncoupled could continue some day.
Source: Variety