We just saw the conclusion of Hijack season 1 on Apple TV+, the service’s #1 series that has caught on with audiences and critics alike. The show has Idris Elba playing a corporate negotiator trying to save everyone on a hijacked plane heading toward London. Without getting into details, that situation ends up resolved (in one way or another) by the end. So how would a season 2 actually work?
It may seem like Hijack could have been a miniseries, but between its critical reaction and high viewership (for Apple, at least), it seems that season 2 may not be off the table, despite the resolution of season 1, and the title of the show implying uh, another hijacking. Another hijacking with Idris Elba involved.
Elba was asked about the possibility of season 2, and while he has some stipulations, it seems that he’s definitely down to reprise the character of Sam Nelson in some capacity. Here’s what he told Variety:
“What would be the acceptable scenario that he comes back? Because we’ve thought about this and obviously Apple have gone, ‘Well, we really love the show.’ And I think, you know, Rotten Tomatoes is at 92% at the moment, which is a good sign, but it’s kind of like — he’s not a cop — what would be the acceptable Sam Nelson return? And if I’m honest, I’m not sure. I’d like that, but I just don’t want to put him on another hijack. I’m open to that character coming back. I think if people were compelled to like the character, then I’m in.”
So, he’s down as long as there’s not another literal hijacking. But potentially some other dangerous scenario where he’d have to use his extreme negotiating powers. Like Jack Bauer with…words.
Executive producer Hakan Kousetta was also asked the same question by Variety, and certainly seems eager:
“Oh, gosh, I wish I could tell you that. I hope so but we’ll have to see,” Kousetta said. “I mean, we’ve thought about it, obviously. And that is really challenging. It is something that you’re like, “Wow, how would you do that and it not be completely ridiculous?” We talk about it — but yeah, we’ll have to wait and see. I’m never gonna say no.”
The main issue again seems to be finding another scenario for Sam Nelson in a way that doesn’t come off as ridiculous, given that he’s not a police office or CIA spy being constantly sent on new missions to solve some crisis. But if they can crack it?
One other consideration for Apple here is that with the current Writers and Actors Strikes, this is a series that exists outside of that, for the most part, as it’s a UK-based cast, actors who are not participating in the American-based strike. While that may change, it may also mean Hijack season 2 could arrive more quickly than other streaming series that are inevitably going to be delayed.
We’ll see what happens, but I too would watch Sam Nelson talk more, if the show didn’t go into totally goofy territory to make that happen.
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