Night Sky is an eight-part sci-fi drama, from first-time creator Holden Miller, about an aging couple who home an alien teleportation device under their garden shed in a hidden bunker. Season 2 was cancelled, despite the accolades, which forced fans to open a strong petition for Amazon to change their minds.
The series attempts to juggle multiple genres and widely differing tones, with a heartfelt family drama and ballsy science fiction elements adjacent to an action-packed, foreign spy thriller. This convoluted meshing of dissimilar styles doesn’t quite work and feels like two separate shows counteracting one another. When the two finally converge in the finale it only further highlights these discrepancies. The emotional heart of Night Sky, steered by Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons can be poignant and heart-wrenching, but the series’ aforementioned negatives overshadow it.
Night Sky Season 2 is Cancelled
January 29th, 2024 Update
Even though Amazon canceled Night Sky on its streaming platform Prime Video, the fans did not give up, opening up a petition on Change.Org. The petition says:
“Night Sky originally released on Amazon Prime Video has been cancelled. AND WE ALL NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BYRON ? BRING BACK NIGHT SKY FOR A SEASON 2”
The petition did not put forward a strong enough argument despite gaining nearly 15,000 signatures. At CBR, they claim that Night Sky earned a Season 2 but acknowledge its low viewership.
Streaming TV is a results game, and it’s no surprise that Sky Night did not get a Season 2. In Modern TV, exceptions are a rarity.
May 20th, 2022 Update
Like its streaming service cousins, Outer Range, the show is quite the paradox. It could be a hit or a gigantic misfire, only time will tell whether audiences are moved by this aging saga or thrown by the clichéd melodrama that starts from episode two onwards. Outer Range was a popular talking point, with star power and insane plot points, I just don’t know if Night Sky can create a similar buzz or elicit repeat viewing.
The show ended with many unanswered questions and lots of room for the story to progress in. Franklin and Irene have just discovered a human dwelling on the alien world, Byron has gone AWOL and the cult community is starting to take shape. There’s more than enough narrative for a second season, with scope for a much wider world to be explored. It will inevitably come down to ratings and the show’s overall popularity, as to whether a return is green lit.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was renewed, although they’ve yet to announce Outer Range’s fate either. The series definitely has the potential to become a success, but the first season is an uneven mess that may put off countless viewers, who won’t stick around until the bitter end. As always, we’ll keep you posted on any updates in the pending renewal of Night Sky.
