When a beloved series gets the ax, fans are often left wondering what could have been. For Now Apocalypse, the 2019 Starz sci-fi dramedy from visionary filmmaker Gregg Araki, that mystery has finally been solved. Seven years after the show's abrupt end, Araki has opened up about the fully written—but never produced—second season, and it turns out the storyline was eerily prophetic.
The series, which followed a group of friends navigating love, sex, and fame in a surreal Los Angeles, was canceled after just one season. At the time, Starz's new CEO Jeff Hirsh called it a "great experiment" but decided not to renew it. Now, Araki has revealed that the cast and crew were already deep into pre-production for Season 2 when the plug was pulled.
"We wrote the second season, the cast was paid for the second season, we were prepping the second season," Araki told Deadline while promoting his latest film, I Want Your Sex. The news comes as a bittersweet revelation for fans of the cult favorite, which starred Avan Jogia, Kerli Berglund, and Tyler Posey, among others.
In a recent interview, Araki shared a plot point from the scrapped Season 2 that hits close to home. The storyline would have followed Cary (Berglund) as she lands a job creating a TV show, only to have her project killed when her executive is fired in Episode 9. "That's literally what happened to us," Araki said. "Literally, our executive got fired, and the whole network changed and the mandate changes—it was so prophetic."
The cancellation came after a major shakeup at Starz, with Chris Albrecht stepping down as CEO and Jeff Hirsh taking over. The new leadership decided not to continue the series, despite its passionate fanbase and critical praise. Araki and co-creator Karley Sciortino attempted to shop the show to other networks, but no one picked it up.
For those who missed it, Now Apocalypse is a wild ride through the underbelly of LA, blending erotic drama with apocalyptic sci-fi elements. The show's unique voice and Araki's signature style made it a standout, even if it didn't find a wide audience. All ten episodes are currently streaming on Starz, so there's no better time to catch up on what could have been a multi-season epic.
While fans may never see the full Season 2, Araki's revelation offers a glimpse into the creative vision that was lost. It also serves as a reminder of how fragile TV production can be, especially when network leadership changes. For more on the behind-the-scenes drama of your favorite shows, check out our coverage of The Rookie's backup ending and Reacher's early renewal.
As for Araki, he's moved on to new projects, but Now Apocalypse remains a testament to his fearless storytelling. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, the series is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates bold, unapologetic sci-fi.
