Has The Changeling been renewed for Season 2? Here’s what we know:

Renewed or Cancelled?

The Changeling is a sweeping eight-episode adaptation of Victor LaValle’s 2017 novel of the same name. The rollercoaster ride has many highs and lows, all of which we have documented in our detailed recaps here. LaKeith Stanfield and Clark Backo headline the series as the protagonist pair who have to bear unbearable tragedy after the loss of their child.

The Changeling does not squarely belong to one genre and has impressed many with its styling. Elements of horror and fantasy are foremost present at the outset, but it is a hard-hitting drama that rests challengingly at the core of the series. The creatives took a bold, and perhaps unnecessary turn in the final two episodes. Many viewers, including yours truly, couldn’t get our heads around it. 

The “betrayal” is difficult to get past in all honesty. Even so, those decisions have tantalizingly set up a new season. The cliffhangers indicate there is a story still left to be told. 

If you’ve finished watching this one, you may be wondering if this has been renewed or cancelled. Here’s what we know so far:

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What is The Changeling Season 1 about?

Apollo and Emma meet in a public library in New York and fall in love. Much like Apollo’s parents Lillian and Brian, the pair goes through ups and downs but eventually lands on their feet. A trip to Portugal changes Emma’s destiny with Apollo. Although they get married and welcome handsome baby Brian to the world, Emma knows something isn’t right. She can feel it in her bones and in the way Brian feels in her arms. To compound her misery, Emma keeps getting strange texts from an unknown number that challenge her sanity.

The texts always have photos of Brian and Apollo together. But the catch is that only Emma sees them; they disappear as soon as she tries to show them to Apollo. This drives a wedge between them. Mistrust starts creeping into the marriage as Apollo finally reaches his saturation point. Emma, who has been in contact with a social online community called The Wise Ones, does the unthinkable. 

She bounds Apollo, beats him to a pulp, and apparently kills Brian, who she does not believe is “a baby.” That sparks Apollo’s journey to finding out the truth about The Wise Ones, and his wife’s unspeakable actions, and leads him to find an unusual companion along the way, who might just be a wolf disguised in the skin of a sheep. 

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Has The Changeling been renewed for Season 2?

At the time of writing, Apple TV Plys has not renewed The Changeling for a second season. Given the nature of this series, that could change if there is some positivity from the side of the creators and its frontline A-list stars.

Generally, Apple TV Plus, like other cable networks and streamers, gauges numerous metrics before renewing a show, including how many people initially watch it and then looking at the drop-off rate. With some shows, cancellations or renewals happen quickly (ala. Squid Game, Bridgerton etc.) Other times, it can take months before streamers like Apple TV Plus make a decision over a show’s future.

Season 1 of The Changeling has polarized the fans. The critics, who mostly turn in their reviews without seeing the entire show, have been more lukewarm than audiences.  The split in the fanbase, however, comes after the series finale, which is completely underwhelming. Even the episode before that is confusing and too artsy without answering any real questions about the plot. 

Given how the first season has ended, a follow-up should be expected. But given how the creators have “betrayed” the viewers in the last two episodes, The Changeling’s fortunes hang right in the balance. 

We predict that The Changeling will not be renewed for a second season. The foremost reason is an egregious lack of storytelling quality. The show just hasn’t been managed well, despite such fantastical elements and a searing performance from Stanfield. And secondly, Apple TV Plus has been notoriously ungenerous with its renewals. Much better shows than The Changeling have failed to get renewed. 

We’ll be sure to update this section with accurate details over the coming weeks and months when we know more!

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What do we know about Season 2 so far: 

Not much is known about season 2 at the time of writing, given Apple TV Plus has not officially renewed this one yet. Should the streamers decide to greenlight a second season, it’s fair to assume that we will pick up in the aftermath of the Battle of the Island.

Emma and Apollo both are yet to find each other and more importantly, save their real baby from the fairies. It will be an interesting plot to see them running away from Kinder Garten and the viewers discovering more about the myth of the creature whom we saw in the dying moments of season 1. 

It’s likely that Apple TV Plus will make an official announcement several months from now, once the final viewing figures are in. Do not wait for the show’s renewal though as we think it is unlikely Apple TV Plus will renew The Changeling. We’ll be sure to update this section with more information as it becomes available.

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Do you hope to see The Changeling season 2? What did you think of the first season? Let us know in the comments below.