Future Storylines And Why You'll Never See Them: Everything You Need To Know About The 'Sense8' Cancellation

Despite online petitions, viral hashtags and Lito-level tantrums, Sense8 is gone and it's not coming back. Fans all across the globe are understandably heartbroken over the news, collectively grieving the loss of one of the most unique shows to ever grace Netflix.

While cancellation rumors circulated following an extensive between-season break after Season 1, the sudden announcement of Sense8's cancellation after a cliffhanger of a finale for Season 2 came as quite the shock. The show had a solid production crew, a dedicated fanbase and killer ratings. So where did it all go so wrong?

It Started With A Hashtag

Many fans were still basking in that post-Season 2 glow when a disturbing hashtag began to make the rounds. #RenewSense8 was soon trending on Twitter following the cancellation of The Get Down, another Netflix series:

While it was true that Netflix were taking their sweet time announcing a third season, there seemed to be no basis for the panic. With such high ratings and reviews, how could Netflix let such a successful show go? Nevertheless, fans were far from calm.

And then the worst happened: Netflix confirmed every fan's worst nightmare and cancelled Sense8. What's even more tragic is that J. Michael Straczynski — the show's co-creator and executive producer — wasn't officially told his show was cancelled until 24 hours after the news was released to the press:

Nevertheless, the viewers weren't having it. Much like the show's cluster of brave Sensates, the fanbase quickly created an online petition to bring back the show for a third season, amassing almost 500,000 signatures.

Sadly, their efforts weren't enough to sway Netflix, who issued the following statement standing by their original decision:

Why Did Netflix Cancel 'Sense8'?

As with any monumental loss, the question that still haunts fans is but one simple word: Why? Why would Netflix cancel a fan-favorite show, especially after such a cliffhanger of a season?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos addressed the decision to cancel #Sense8, citing the reasoning as purely financial:

"They did a beautiful show...the audience was very passionate, but not large enough to support the economics of something that big, even on our platform."

Sense8 is renowned for its multitude of incredible filming locations. Production takes places not in studios, but in an array of countries— 11, to be exact. Flying the entire cast and crew across the world to shoot the same scene several times isn't just exhausting; it's expensive. At $9 million per episode, Sense8 Season 2 cost Netflix just shy of $100 million. Simply put, Netflix simply couldn't justify spending that much money.

Will 'Sense8' Season 3 Still Happen?

Sense8 Season 2 left a lot of questions unanswered, and fans are desperate to know the fate of their beloved Sensates. Netflix may be unable to fund the show, but couldn't the creators simply move it to another network? Or maybe even wrap up those loose strings with a movie, much like the Firefly follow-up film, Serenity?

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. As a Netflix original, the network still owns all the rights to the show. Even if fans were to crowd fund a third series or follow-up movie, the show's creators don't actually have the right to do so— and Straczynski told his Twitter followers that it's unlikely Netflix would ever relinquish the rights.

As Wolfgang himself once said, "Some things in our lives are inevitable."

What Was Supposed To Happen In 'Sense8' Season 3?

Straczynski has confirmed that a script for Sense8 Season 3 was never written, despite fans' desperate pleas to see it. However, he did discuss a whole bunch of Season 3 storylines that reveal the fate of many of the show's characters— and it's not all great news.

Sense8 Season 3 may never happen, but at least you can satisfy your curiosity with the following insights into what would have been:

1. One Of The Sensates Was Supposed To Die

That's right, one of your favorite Sensates was going to be killed off. Straczynski didn't confirm which Sensate the show's writers had in mind, which is probably for the best— we've had enough loss for one week, thank you very much.

2. Sun Would Get Her Revenge

Sun may have escaped prison, but that doesn't mean she's off the hook from her alleged crime. After deciding not to kill her brother at the end of Season 2, Joong-Ki Bak was whisked away by a mysterious figure rather than arrested for shooting Detective Mun.

Luckily, he wasn't about to get off that easily. Apparently, Detective Mun would survive the shooting, identifying Sun's douchebag brother as the shooter and throwing him at the mercy of the law. Sun would finally get her freedom, as well as her normal life back. Finally!

3. Rajan Might Have Found Himself In Some Serious Trouble

Rajan may have been an oblivious cuckold, but it was hard to pity him after the truth about his business emerged in Season 2. His company was selling expired and therefore useless medicine to third world countries, saving them money but potentially leading to the deaths of many. One of the show's good guys suddenly became one of the worst smiling villains fans had ever seen.

Straczynski revealed that while Rajan's agenda was entirely unethical, he wasn't mixed up with the BPO. However, he did hint that the businessman may have found himself in some hot water due to his shady business decisions. Perhaps Kala and Wolfgan could have been together after all?

4. Riley Would Give Birth

Out of all the Sensates, Riley's backstory is the most tragic. She lost her husband and her baby daughter just moments after giving birth; a traumatizing event which no doubt influenced her drug-fueled lifestyle.

Little did she know that she was going to become a mother yet again in Season 3. No, she wasn't about to get pregnant to Will— she would birth a new cluster. She wasn't the only one, either. Straczynski admitted that others would also birth clusters "on a considerably more massive scale." Now that's one crazy family dynamic!

What do you think about Netflix's decision to cancel Sense8?

(Source: The Hollywood Reporter)