Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry has garnered widespread acclaim since its October 2023 release, capturing the hearts of viewers with its unique blend of period drama, science, and feminist themes.
Starring Brie Larson as the determined chemist-turned-TV-host Elizabeth Zott, the series offers a profound exploration of 1950s American culture, touching on issues like race, class, and gender. With the first season wrapping up so neatly, fans are left wondering: will there be a Lessons in Chemistry Season 2?
Is Lessons in Chemistry Season 2 Confirmed?
Despite its overwhelming popularity, Lessons in Chemistry was originally billed as a miniseries, adapting Bonnie Garmus’ beloved novel in its entirety.
The first season followed Elizabeth Zott as she transitioned from a frustrated chemist to a TV cooking show host, using her scientific expertise to connect with America’s housewives.
While the show’s ending offered closure for most plotlines, it still left the door slightly ajar for further exploration. But will Apple TV+ continue the story?
Unfortunately, Brie Larson, who not only stars in the series but also serves as an executive producer, recently shut down any strong hopes for a second season.
When asked about a potential continuation, Larson succinctly stated, “We finished the book.” For now, there are no confirmed plans for Lessons in Chemistry Season 2, either from Apple TV+ or the production team.
The Challenges of a Second Season
One of the biggest hurdles to a second season is the lack of source material. Season 1 faithfully adapted Garmus’ novel, leaving no major plot threads unresolved. Any continuation would require the writers to develop a completely new storyline from scratch, which could be a time-consuming process.
While Larson’s recent comments don’t completely rule out a second season, they suggest that there’s no immediate momentum behind the idea. Showrunner Lee Eisenberg also struck a cautious note, stating that while the team would love to explore more of Elizabeth Zott’s world, they’d need “the right story” to justify another season.
This ambivalence was echoed by producer Sarah Adina Smith, who emphasized that the creative team had always seen Lessons in Chemistry as a self-contained story, saying, “We knew we had this one shot at it.”
What Could Happen in a Potential Season 2?
Although there are no firm plans, fans can still imagine the possibilities of Lessons in Chemistry Season 2. With Elizabeth Zott now back in the world of legitimate science, her journey could further explore the persistent sexism she faces in a male-dominated field.
The civil rights storyline, led by the character Harriet, could also delve deeper, addressing the continuing fight for equality in 1950s America. Additionally, Elizabeth’s daughter, Mad, is growing up in an era of rampant sexism, presenting another potential plotline.
Despite the first season offering satisfying closure, the open-ended nature of the finale leaves room for further storytelling, much like how HBO’s Big Little Lies returned for a second season after initially being a limited series.
Final Thoughts: Will Fans Get More Lessons in Chemistry?
As of now, the future of Lessons in Chemistry is uncertain. Brie Larson’s statement and the producers’ comments suggest that they’re content with leaving the story as it is, but with the ever-changing landscape of TV, nothing is completely off the table.
Audience demand, critical acclaim, and potential new storylines could still prompt Apple TV+ to reconsider.
For now, fans will have to settle for the brilliance of Season 1 and hope that, if a second season does happen, it meets the high expectations set by the first.
About Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry is a drama television series based on the novel of the same name by Bonnie Garmus. It is due to debut in 2023 on Apple TV+.
A female scientist in the 1960s begins using a cooking show she is hired to host to educate housewives on scientific topics after she is fired from her own lab.
The show stars Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott, Lewis Pullman as Calvin Evans, Aja Naomi King as Harriet Slone, Stephanie Koenig as Fran Frask and Patrick Walker as Wakely in lead roles.
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