Hideo Kojima Wants Another Season of This Sci-Fi Gem That Netflix Cold-Bloodedly Axed After S1

Early in 2023, Netflix made a decision that left sci-fi fans baffled: the streaming canceled 1899, an ambitious project from Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, the creators of the cult classic Dark.

Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, praised the show on social media and posed a question that still haunts all fans: where is the second season of this underrated gem?

Hideo Kojima Praised '1899', a Show From the Creators of 'Dark'

Hideo Kojima, known for his love of complex and multilayered narratives, wrote a review of 1899 on his X account:

“I finished watching “1899” through to the final episode. I had a sense about that ending. Started it as a study of LED “volume,” but it’s very well made. The music is excellent. [...] Bringing together a global cast during the pandemic, dealing with quarantine, abandoning location shoots and turning to the “volume”—that resonates deeply. [...]

So still, no Season 2? What are Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, the creators of “DARK,” working on next?”

What Is '1899' About?

The story takes place in 1899. The Kerberos departs from London bound for New York. Passengers and crew members from various countries and social strata are on board.

Among them is Maura, a neurologist who suspects that her brother, the author of an invitation to meet in New York, never made it to his destination.

Suddenly, the captain of the Kerberos, Eyk, receives a distress signal from the Prometheus, a notorious ship that disappeared in the Atlantic several months earlier. The captain decides to change course and go to the rescue.

'1899' Is a Tightly Woven Detective Story, Creepy Fable, and Psychological Thriller All in One

The premise of 1899 is reminiscent of a horror show. You expect the rescued boy to turn out to be the devil and evil spirits to emerge from the lost ship at any moment. However, the monsters never jump out from around the corner, even after several episodes.

Instead, an oppressive discomfort sets in. A mysterious symbol – an inverted triangle with a cross through it – is seen everywhere on the Kerberos. Compasses malfunction, people die, and the crew receives a terrifying message.

Gradually, the series evolves into a psychological thriller about closed communities. Conflicts of all kinds surface: family, class, and religion. The sailors contemplate mutiny while the passengers hide old traumas and guilt.

Despite its flaws, 1899 is easy to forgive because it's not a remake or another adaptation and it doesn't feel like it was put together by an algorithm – it's a complex and ambitious story, albeit uneven.

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.