Binge-watching a TV show has become second nature to most of us by this point. When it comes to a gritty and riveting drama like the new Netflix limited series “Maid,” though, it’s nearly preferable to appreciate each episode individually. Stephanie Land’s New York Times best-selling book “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” inspired the stunning 10-episode series. Margaret Qualley (“The Leftovers”) delivers an unforgettable and devastating performance as Alex, a single mother fleeing an emotionally violent relationship with her husband, Sean (Nick Robinson).
Alex must accept a job cleaning homes in order to survive and provide for her daughter, Maddy (Rylea Nevaeh Whittet), and she must also seek government help. The program becomes a highly emotional narrative of one mother’s love and strength as she tries to overcome many setbacks and escape homelessness.
Since its premiere on Netflix, “Maid” has gotten a lot of praise from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show gets a 96 percent approval rating from critics and an 84 percent approval rating from viewers. We’re hoping for more time with Alex and her daughter despite the fact that “Maid” was meant to be a limited series. So, in if Netflix decides to renew “Maid,” here’s all we know about a prospective Season 2 release date, cast, and plot.
Netflix Release Date
The first season of “Maid” is a limited series, thus it presents the entire narrative. But, as we all know, the phrase “limited series” has lost its significance in Hollywood these days. Following in the footsteps of HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and “The White Lotus,” it’s always conceivable for a series to return for a second season if the powers that be want it back (read: if it’s popular enough). So, “Maid” might return in the future, though Netflix has made no indication that it would do so.
On Friday, October 1, “Maid” debuted on Netflix. Given that the streaming service often waits at least a month or two before renewing its shows — even the most popular ones — we may have to wait a long before learning about any potential future seasons of the show. Again, “Maid” was intended to be a one-and-done show, so even if Netflix commissioned a second season (crazier things have surely occurred!), we wouldn’t see it for at least a year. Remember that we need to factor in the time it takes to write the scripts and then film the episodes. So, at most, fresh episodes may arrive in late 2022 or early 2023.
Casting Members
There has been no indication that Netflix would renew “Maid” for a second season. However, if Netflix decides to bring the critically praised limited series back, the second season may go one of two ways in terms of casting. First, “Maid” may follow in the footsteps of “Big Little Lies” and use the same cast in Season 2.
This would imply that new episodes will include the return of Margaret Qualley as Alex, Nick Robinson as Maddy’s father Sean, Rylea Nevaeh Whittet as Maddy, and Andie MacDowell as Alex’s mother, Paula. Because the second season will most likely take place in Missoula, Montana, where Alex and Maddy end up in Season 1, some new supporting characters may appear to flesh out the plot.
The second casting possibility might be to emulate “The White Lotus,” another limited series that HBO transformed into a regular series following Season 1’s success, and become more of an anthology series. If “Maid” Season 2 continued in this manner, the narrative might be centred on a new heroine, and the world would be filled with equally new characters. Throughout “Maid,” we met a number of women who, like Alex, are trying to start over and get away from their terrible living situations. The series could easily follow one of them and create a new cast.
Plotline
Netflix isn’t in the habit of extending limited series past their natural life (if they were, we’d have a second season of “The Queen’s Gambit” by now), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t enough material for another season of “Maid.” Sean (Nick Robinson) decides at the conclusion of Season 1 to cease battling Alex (Margaret Qualley) for shared custody of Maddy (Rylea Nevaeh Whittet) so he can focus on becoming clean. This enables Alex to finally leave Washington and attend college in Missoula, Montana, as she had always desired.
Although Alex’s mother, Paula (Andie MacDowell), indicated she would join her daughter and granddaughter to their new place, she decides to stay behind with her new lover. When a result, as one generation overcomes a destructive cycle that has caught them in poisonous behaviors, another generation clings to it.
If “Maid” returns for Season 2 and chooses to follow the same group of characters, we may see Alex and Maddy in their new life as the young mom juggles parenthood and education. In addition, in the Season 1 finale, Sean promises Alex that he would come after he gets his life in order and is clean, implying that an appearance from him is not out of the question.
Season 1 has a sense of closure, but it’s more because “Maid” has closed one chapter of Alex’s life and is beginning a new one. That is to say, there is a lot more tale to be told in future seasons.
