After 'Dark', Its Authors Made Another Twisted Sci-Fi Gem – It Deserved More Than One Season

In 2023, Netflix canceled 1899, a series from Dark creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese – the show told an ambitious story about migrants heading to New York in 1899.

Like Dark, the project offered a mystery within a mystery, however, unlike its predecessor, 1899 never had the chance to fully unfold.

What Is '1899' About?

The action unfolds aboard the Kerberos, a ship transporting nearly 1,500 passengers and crew members from Europe to the US. Each passenger and crew member has their own secrets and is fleeing their own past.

Unexpectedly, the Kerberos picks up a signal from the Prometheus, a ship that disappeared several months ago. As the characters approach the silent steel hulk and board it in search of answers, a chain of dark events is set in motion.

'1899' Is Filled With Well-Written Characters of Different Nationalities

The main strength of 1899 is its characters – the series has a large, multinational cast, and each character speaks their native language. Although you see the translation, the characters don't understand each other, creating a unique dynamic.

This provokes conflicts that slowly build and come to a head by the middle of the season.

Making us care about characters who don't understand each other is a true art form – Odar and Friese aren't perfect, but this aspect was skillfully lifted from Dark.

Every character harbors a secret, and the gradual revelation of these secrets drives the plot. Unfortunately, this is also where the series' main problem lies – it never quite manages to wrap up its storylines.

'1899' Was Axed Too Early, so the Creators Were Unable to Answer Most of the Questions

1899 is a classic example of a mystery box: each episode introduces new mysteries but provides almost no answers. The creators of Dark successfully exploited this concept in their first show by turning the story of a missing child into a time-travel conspiracy.

In 1899, they took it further, creating an even more expansive and promising story. However, by the third episode, the number of seemingly meaningless character actions is off the charts – the creators drop several powerful hints in the second episode that will make the twist clear if you notice them.

Despite its growing popularity, Netflix canceled the series after one season – a particularly disappointing decision given that the first eight episodes were merely a prologue to something bigger.

Like Lost, 1899 requires patience and trust in the creators: if you're willing to accept that the box will never fully open for you, then shows like 1899 are right up your alley.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of '1899'?

• 1899 has 77% from critics and 73% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.3/10.

Where to Watch '1899'?

1899 is available to stream on Netflix.