The Exchange is a Kuwaiti Netflix based on a true story set in the late-80s amid the male-dominated financial sector. It’s the latest in a long line of first-of international dramas that the streaming giant has invested in to generally great success, with the real-life setting informing a pacey binge-worthy drama that still, despite its basis in fact, has all the hallmarks of a solid TV drama.
Here’s a quote from our review:
Nadia Ahmad’s show lives and dies on its unique backdrop and period, showcasing the difficulties for women in late-80s Kuwait in any field, let alone male-dominated finance. It’s a girl-boss narrative that is even more impactful than such things usually are because of the context, and the actors – particularly Mahdi as Farida – do a wonderful job of selling the complexity of self-empowerment in a culture of oppression.
Will there be a Season 2 of The Exchange?
Renewed or canceled status: TBC
At the time of writing Netflix haven’t officially confirmed whether The Exchange has been renewed or canceled. However, this has all the hallmarks of a limited series.
Because of the show’s basis in reality it tells a relatively complete story. While the lives of the main characters go on after the events of the series, both experience moments of personal emancipation and enjoy complete arcs within which their personal and professional lives neatly dovetail. While there is perhaps mileage in continuing the stories of both Farida and Munira, there’s no artistic justification for doing so since the first season gives a reasonable accounting of both of their lives and careers.
This is assuming that the show proves popular enough to be renewed in the first place. A real-life Kuwaiti female empowerment drama set around the late-80s financial crisis isn’t exactly a mainstream formula and the show’s quality notwithstanding, there’s no guarantee it’ll find a large audience. Netflix will, as ever, be keeping a close eye on various performance metrics, almost none of which will be visible to the public, and if The Exchange performs well above expectations that could change the show’s potential future. However, at least as of now, there’s no reason to suspect it will.
Our prediction is that The Exchange will not be renewed for Season 2.
I would love too see a season two of The Exchange on Netflix tells the life’s and true story that so many can learn from and see what happen back then and now. It seems that when new shows like this come to Netflix they don’t want to renew for another season so I’m asking please renew don’t end the show please
Yes, just finished Season 1 and can not wait for Season 2 to come out. They do a fantastic job if showing how women’s self-worth and female comraderie play out in a culture (private and public) of oppression, a culture which we can all relate.
Netfilx… Renew The Exchange now. The explosion of strong, smart and beautiful Middle Eastern Women from the UAE – Kuwait -is mind blowing to see as an American woman. This show is like a modern day Wonder Woman meets Batgirl and both infuse into Christine Lagarde (former head of the World Bank) and Beyonce at the same time. I mean, talk about distribution demand once this gets out plus you would be introducing a part of the world where women are not see as in charge of their life as Farida and Munira – the two lead female characters. Give this show the air it needs to rise and shine.