Netflix has another YA hit on its hands. Fate: The Winx Saga has been renewed for a second season, less than a month after the first dropped. The dark drama is based on the early 2000s animated series Winx Club, but like Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, it is a considerably darker take.
In addition to getting a second season, Fate will be expanded getting eight episodes, whereas the first only contained six.
In a statement, showrunner Brian Young said:
“The six episodes in season one only scratched the surface of this incredibly rich world and the powerful fairies who inhabit it. As Bloom’s story continues to evolve, I can’t wait for you to learn even more about Aisha, Stella, Terra, and Musa! And you never know who might show up at Alfea next term… ”
In addition, the creator of Winx Club and CEO of Rainbow Group, Iginio Straffi said:
“Winx connects with audiences in the live action adaptation the same way it does in animation. Over the years, we have seen Winx grow into a global phenomenon and millions of fans have faithfully followed the show. Thanks to this loyal support, ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’ is a massive worldwide success, with a second season underway at Netflix that will continue the story to the delight of fans and viewers everywhere.”
Like the first season, the second will film in Ireland later this year.
Young confirmed that the core cast — Abigail Cowen as Bloom, Hannah van der Westhuysen as Stella, Precious Mustapha as Aisha, Eliot Salt as Terra, and Elisha Applebaum as Musa — will all return for the second season. In addition, the first season also starred Sadie Soverall as Beatrix, Freddie Thorp as Riven, Eva Birthistle as Vanessa Peters, Robert James-Collier as Saul Silva, Eve Best as Farah Dowling, and Lesley Sharp as Rosalind.
Fate: The Winx Saga was an immediate hit when it arrived in January, hitting #1 on Netflix’s internal Top 10.
However, the show has not been a success with critics, ranking 35% on Rotten Tomatoes. And fans of the original cartoon have not been pleased by this darker take. One of the most glaring criticisms is of white-washing, as Musa, who was Asian in the original, is played by Applebaum, a non-Asian actor, and the Latina character, Flora, was omitted entirely, replaced by a Caucasian, Terra (Salt). (Terra did make a reference to having a cousin named Flora.)
But it seems that poor reviews haven’t hurt Fate: The Winx Saga, which scored where it was important — streaming views.
How did you like Fate: The Winx Saga? Are you excited to get a new, longer season?
Source: TV Line
