The Fate of Shadow and Bone Season 3: What We Know So Far
Fans of the Grishaverse celebrated the release of the second season of Shadow and Bone on Netflix in March 2023, and immediately began speculating about the fate of the show. Would it be renewed for a third season? What might be in store for Alina and her friends? Here’s what we know so far.
Will there be a Shadow and Bone Season 3?
Netflix has not officially renewed Shadow and Bone for a third season, but a variety of clues suggest that it’s likely.
Eric Heisserer’s plans
Showrunner Eric Heisserer has stated that he had a “three-season plan” for the show, implying that he would like to do another season. This could mean that he wrote the first two seasons with an eye towards a third season, and is waiting for Netflix’s word to start preparing for it.
Sophie Holland’s optimism
Casting director Sophie Holland has expressed her hope that the show will return for a third season. “It seems to have a huge fan base,” she told Deadline in May 2023. “It’s all about that first month’s performance on Netflix, I guess, so we’ll find out soon if it’s being recommissioned.”
The books
Shadow and Bone is based on a series of novels by Leigh Bardugo, and season two of the show departed from the books significantly, leaving plenty of room for the show’s writers to continue to create their own storylines.
When Will Shadow and Bone Season 3 be Released?
If the show is renewed for a third season, it’s likely that fans will have to wait a while for it.
Production time
Between the first and second seasons of the show, there was nearly a two-year gap. While much of this delay was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still likely that fans will have to wait for at least a year or two for a third season to arrive.
The pandemic
The pandemic could also delay production once again, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and affect the entertainment industry.
Spring of 2024?
If Shadow and Bone is renewed in the next few months, it’s possible that the earliest fans would see a season three would be the spring of 2024.
What Might Happen in Shadow and Bone Season 3?
While we don’t know for sure what might happen in a hypothetical season three of Shadow and Bone, there are a variety of storylines from the books that the show could draw from.
King of Ravka
The books follow Nikolai Lantsov as king of Ravka, and his struggle to regain his kingdom from enemies both internal and external.
Darkling’s influence
The season-two finale saw Nikolai influenced by the Darkling’s shadow monsters, setting up a potential storyline for the next season.
Six of Crows
There are also plans for a Six of Crows spin-off, with scripts already written, which could be its own little season of fun that the Shadow and Bone characters would get to be a part of.
Who Will be in Shadow and Bone Season 3?
Assuming the show is renewed, we can expect to see many of the same characters from the first two seasons.
Main cast
This includes Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter), Inej Ghafa (Amita Suman), Jesper Fahey (Kit Young), Mal Oretsev (Archie Renaux), Nina Zenik (Danielle Galligan), Baghra (Zoë Wanamaker), David Kostyk (Luke Pasqualino), Nikolai Lantsov (Patrick Gibson), Wylan Hendriks (Jack Wolfe), and the twins Tolya (Lewis Tan) and Tamar (Anna Leong Brophy).
The Darkling
Of course, it’s unclear if Ben Barnes’ character General Kirigan/The Darkling will return in the same capacity as the first two seasons, since he was seemingly defeated in the season-two finale.
FAQs
1. When will we know if Shadow and Bone season 3 has been renewed?
Netflix has not officially announced a renewal for the show, but it’s possible that we could hear something in the next month or two.
2. Will the pandemic delay production on Shadow and Bone season 3?
The pandemic could certainly delay production on a third season of Shadow and Bone, particularly as COVID-19 cases continue to rise around the world.
3. Will there be more departures from the books in Shadow and Bone season 3?
It’s possible that the show’s writers could continue to deviate from the books in a third season, particularly since they have already made significant changes in the first two seasons.
4. What are the chances of Shadow and Bone season 3 being released in 2023?
The odds of a third season of Shadow and Bone being released in 2023 are extremely low, given the amount of time it takes to write, film, and edit a show like this.
5. What was the fan reaction to Shadow and Bone season 2?
Early indications suggest that the fan reaction to season two of Shadow and Bone has been very positive, with fans praising the performances of the cast, the writing, and the special effects.
Conclusion
While we don’t know for sure whether Shadow and Bone will be renewed for a third season, fans are eagerly anticipating more content from this popular show. Whether the show draws from the books more closely in a potential third season, or continues to create its own storylines, it’s sure to be a thrilling ride for fans of the Grishaverse.
