Shantaram is an Apple TV+ original based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Gregory David Roberts. Like the novel, this drama tells the story of a bank robber and heroin addict who escapes from a prison in Australia and flees to Bombay for a new life in the 1980s. The fugitive and our protagonist in this adaptation is played by Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), who leads this twelve-part series, which is created by Eric Warren Singer (Top Gun: Maverick) and Steve Lightfoot (Hannibal).
On landing in Bombay, the wanted man, who goes by the name Lin Ford, befriends a lively tour guide called Prabhu (Shubham Saraf). This tour guide helps Lin find food and shelter in this deadly city and they soon strike up a bond and business relationship. Whilst hiding from the law, Lin befriends many other criminals and falls head over heels in love. The series spends most of its time following Lin’s journey toward redemption, but there are other subplots. There is a war for land ownership by two rival crime bosses and another storyline involving two Italian pimps and their prostitute Lisa (Elektra Kilbey).
The series received mixed reviews and currently holds a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although the general public was more favorable, leading to a score of 7.56 on IMDb. I found the series to be quite a drag, with its lengthy runtime and episode count being far too extensive for the simplistic story it was trying to tell. Lin himself is presented as a troubled hero, which becomes a repetitive and cliched bore very quickly too. The show also suffers from aimlessness and many poorly written characters that are extremely unlikable and stereotypical of a fault. There’s a glimmer of hope in the show’s comedic sidekick Prabhu, who manages to shine in this otherwise dark drama though.
Shantaram has its fans and its haters, but will it be returning for a follow-up season?
Will there be a season 2 of the Apple TV+ series Shantaram – renewed or canceled status
Update on December 6th, 2022 – Apple has not yet confirmed where there will be a season 2 of Shantaram.
Apple has a habit of either renewing a series or classing it as a miniseries if they don’t feel the need to produce any more installments, which avoids the dirty word of the moment – cancellation. This crafty technique means that they have avoided much backlash in recent years, unlike other streaming sites such as Netflix and Prime Video, who have taken a hit from fans that wished their precious shows had been continued a while longer.
At the moment, Shantaram is in an odd position, finding itself rather disliked by critics and lukewarm from viewers in general. I would assume that Apple will categorize this as a one-off, limited series and be done with it, but stranger things have happened (Surface I’m looking at you). The series is a largely faithful adaptation of the source material, and there was a sequel novel. So there is room for more of this story to be told if the audience is interested. I’d be very surprised if Shantaram was renewed for a second season, but the sequel novel, titled The Mountain Shadow may tempt the streaming platform into reconsidering. As always, we’ll keep you posted on any updates on the pending renewal of Shantaram.
Update on December 16th, 2022 – Apple has confirmed that Shantaram will not be renewed for season 2. The series has been cancelled.
I think it is a deeper movie than this reviewer perceived. It is not perfect but I just finished the last episode and I wish there was a season 2 to watch!:)
It seems when we like a show the critics make it bad. That’s when I know I want to see it cause they are so dumb when it comes to shows the public likes. This show is worth watching. Hate to think I have to go buy the book to finish seeing what happens.. critics are very wrong on this show.
Season 1 doesn’t even cover half of the Shantaram Book, so it would be great if they’d at least finished the Shantaram Story. The Sequel Book isn’t that good any way.
Its a great series. Check it, leave the critics on the side. I will be very sad if there will be no So2.
We LOVE this series! Screw the critics! It always seems if the general public like something they don’t. It has to be “artsy” in order for them to like something. Hopefully there will be another season.
Shantaram is really good I binged watched ever episode haven’t seen episode 12 yet but looking forward to it, I really hope Apple listens to the subscribers instead of the critics , cause they always get it wrong, they need to renew this series I’ve heard people speak very highly of it !!! And I for one enjoyed it myself and I’m looking ffg forward to episode 12.????
I would be’ very disappointed if season 2 of shantaram should be’ canceled season one is good and i look forward to watch new seasons
Absolutely need a season 2. It may be a somewhat dark series, with Prahbu being the light of it all, but I feel there is so much more to come and I need to k ow what happens.
Please give Us season 2
Absolutely needs a season 2. I am a fan of the series. Please don’t cancel.
Season 2 please! Great series and good actors. Keep it alive! Renew please
Yes we need a “Season2” the critics don’t pay the subscriptions …they never get it right….Shantaram is a very good series please don’t cancel we have to find out what happens!!!!!!
Could nog disagree more than this critic/reviewer. Having read the book my wife & I are enthralled with series. We also read the book. To call it a ‘simplistic’ story is just not accurate. Excellent ensemble cast led by Charlie Hunnan. The sets, scenery, & vibes transend the moment. Hugely disappointed if they don’t do a Season Two.
…It ended with a “to be continued”…. But I guess that’s not a commitment by the Apple folk 🙂
Please bring this series back I was good escapism good writing and the acting was so likeable. I hate that shows with any substance get canceled and all there is t watch is rich people fighting with each other.
Gutted there will be no season two? I’ve not read the book but friends spoke well of it, so when I saw it pop up on tv I was delighted. I have really enjoyed it so far, I hope they reconsider as I fit one would like to follow the characters lives further.
I hope it’ll prove to be a sleeper hit, because I have thoroughly enjoyed the series.
My husband and I like the series. The ending left you in limbo. It needs season 2 to finish it. It’s a lack of consideration for Apple to do this to its subscribers. We will be considering cancelling our subscription. I’ve heard that Apple is used to doing things like this???
This series deserves a season 2 and more if possible. I have noticed that if there isn’t any WOKE material in the shows the idiotic critics pan it. We need more intelligent critics.
One of the best series I’ve seen in a long while! The actors are great, the story is amazing, we pretty much binged it, waited for every episode. The show is outstanding!! What do critics know… they are just jealous! ? season 2 please!! Fans have spoken!! We want season 2!! ?
Just finished the final episode. This is a great series! Hate for it to end leaving us hanging! Bring it back!
I sometimes wonder who dies and left critics and Rotten Tomatoes in charge of the direction of content. I’ve produced and programmed multiple film festivals over 18 years. And, even with some of its flaws, this story still has more to show and tell.
This is definitely one of the best series I have watched in a long time. Everyone I know that has watched this series is very disappointed that there is not going to be a season 2. I think Apple TV is making a big mistake by canceling a his show !
A critique on the critic – shallow, and unable to grasp higher level concepts and the subtle art of fantastic story telling. This is a great series and the only reason I subscribed to Apple. I shall now be cancelling Apple in response to it’s cancellation of the only program worth watching on it’s cruddy platform.
I have waited since 2008 for a movie to be made from this book. I was so excited for this and now Apple quits .
I think this series is FABULOUS and love every character and every episode. Whoever wrote that review doesn’t know an exciting show when he/she sees one.
I am quitting Apple bc of what they did with this series.
We loved Shantaram!! Looked forward to it every week. Whoever who this review should be banned from writing..
Great story, great acting, great scenery and all-around awesome entertainment. The critics don’t know anything. We want more Shantaram.
Wow, that finale ends with the main character getting a beating from cops and that’s it??? I’m kind of struck that an Apple show would end mid-drift like that on its content. For shame on the narrative cut-off done like that. It was an enticing series, not perfect, but every show requires some suspension of disbelief to some extent. This one was good enough to ship another episode and not leave people hanging on “to be continued.” critics are over the top since all they do is on a technical level, making technical judgements daily. I guess I’ll have to pick up the amazing book I keep hearing about. You’d think they would have changed the ending if they knew there was a chance to stop production on it. For shame!
We need season 2!!!! They left everything hanging! It was a fun watch. I am canceling Apple.
I am very upset with Apple like for real. I need to know what happens to Lynn this isn’t right. I am definitely cancelling Apple after this, they SUCK!
Read both books, and this series perfectly depicts the atmosphere of Bombay in the early 80’s. Also Carla is well played; complex, torn, imperfect, warm and cold at the same time. Took Apple TV for this series. Will cancel now. Great pity?
It has been a long while since I was so enthralled with a series. It is such a disappointment that there won’t be a season two. I hope they reconsider!
It is one of the best tv series I have watched for years, and certainly the most entertaining show on Apple so far. The characters are complex and Charlie Hunnam delivers and way more. My husband and I counted down the days to watch the next instalment to find out what happens next. I think it is disgusting to leave the episode on a cliff hanger with a “to be continued” then to announce the second series is cancelled. Apple needs to listen to their fans who clearly love the show rather than critics who don’t know what they are talking about. Please give us season 2 we have to find out what happens to Lin.
Apple TV is a joke. Cancelling my subscription instantly.
When I read Shantaram I fell in love with this sweeping epic and so well written story. When I found out Apple had made a TV Series about Shantaram I rushed to the TV and binged on S1, couldn’t wait for S2, I guess critics don’t get the wonderful story being told here. So, so disappointed in Apple. Go read the book please and make a season 2, it was left so wrong!!
One of the best series I ever saw! I hope Apple TV could make another season!
Season 2 episode 12. HORRIBLE way to end the season. We enjoyed the series and thought it was one of the better Apple TV+ series. Liked the main cast. What were they thinking ending it the way they did?!?
Apple tv you have a duty to make season 2! This is only the beginning. Having loved the book I have been excited each time there was talk of a film being made, so glad it ended up being a series don’t ruin it!
I love this series, great actors, interesting story. I am so excited to see how it is going on. Please Apple TV make season two.
I spent two years writing movie reviews for a successful online platform. This reviewer writes “I found the series to be quite a drag, with its lengthy runtime and episode count being far too extensive for the simplistic story it was trying to tell. Lin himself is presented as a troubled hero, which becomes a repetitive and cliched bore very quickly too.” Here is my review of his review…Are you KIDDING me?!!!! It’s clear from all the positive comments about the show, NONE of which agree with this “reviewer” that he was out of his depth. As the other comments say, the acting was terrific, the characters well drawn, the story line compelling, complicated but engaging and expertly woven together. I signed up for
Apple because I had read the book, Can’t believe they are dropping it. I’m outta here. I’ll be back for the 2nd series.
Very disappointed if no Season 2! Petition for renewal here: https://chng.it/GT8bqHcxLH
Have you ever seen a statue erected to honour a critic?
very disappointed. please we want a season two. the reviewers that puts the series in a negative light clearly have no depths. Lin hasn’t even started with his money laundering…
Absolutely stupid not to finish the whole story as told in the Shantaram book. Who even plans a series, and ditches it half way through the novel it’s based on. I am not really a fan to make a great book into a series, but to make half a book into a series?? This book needs 24 episodes to be told on screen…..
The series shouldn’t end like this. The book is great and the series must have an appropriate ending. The ending of part 12 disappointed me a bit. So season 2 is something I definitely expect.
After having read the book Shantaram two times we were eager to start the series and we expected to be disappointed. However, the series just is great and we really can‘t understand why Apple did stop the 2nd season.
My husband and I have loved Shantaram and hope that Apple TV reconsiders and does another series. We love the characters and feel they are so authentic. The acting is superb and we have found the story refreshing even though it is dark. You can’t leave Lin hanging and being tortured again. There has to be another series. Think again producers!
I am absolutely in love with Shantaram! Please give us season 2 so we can find out what happens. PLEASE!
I a huge fan of Charlie Hunnam. I binged the show. Couldn’t get enough. I hoped there is a second session . There is more of the story to be told.
I read this book twice and loved season 1. I’m very disappointed it has been cancelled.
Must to be continued, its great and very exiting, I looked it at once since I couldn’t stop looking …
This series was amazing!! Of course it’s going to be canceled because we all seem to love it! Charlie is great in it and it’s a show that has depth and omg it’s not stupid and superficial. It needs a season 2! I kept waiting and then I saw this stuff and I joined apple+ just for this show! Give us more seasons!
Teresa
Season 1 was great. I am looking forward to seeing season 2…………hey Apple, are you paying attention??
we need a season 2 and 3 please