All the reasons why ‘Spinning Out’ needs a season 2

Another series fell victim to Netflix’s ruthless chopping block when Spinning Out was cancelled merely a month after it premiered. Like so many other great Netflix shows such as Santa Clarita Diet, The OA, and Anne with an E, Spinning Out left far before the fans were ready to see it go. 

Spinning Out is about a young figure skater whose career is derailed by a devastating fall. Her dreams of becoming an Olympian, however, are reignited when she competes as a pair skater but she must also take into account the reality of her fragile mental health as she struggles with bipolar disorder. 

Fans of Spinning Out appreciated the stark portrayal of mental health & other social issues. Despite Netflix’s cancellation, Spinning Out’s passionate fanbase aren’t going to let the series fade into obscurity without a fight. 

What it’s all about

Spinning Out follows Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario), a promising figure skater who suffers a traumatic injury when she slips and cracks her head on the ice. After her accident, Kat’s confidence is shaken and she resigns herself to becoming a coach and working part-time as a waitress in a hotel. 

Kat gets a second chance at competing when rich kid Justin (Evan Roderick) comes into her life as a potential partner for pairs skating and Justin’s rich daddy forks out the cash to ensure his son has a partner that can win him Olympic gold. Yet off the ice Kat still has to deal with her emotional turmoil in her battle with bipolar disorder while watching her mother constantly be overwhelmed by the same disorder. 

Dealing with tough issues 

Spinning Out received praise from fans for its frank portrayal of mental health in its episodes. The characters give raw portrayals of the ugliness that accompanies mental health struggles. Kat in particular grapples with self-harm as she wavers between mania & depression. Kat’s mother, Carol (January Jones), is portrayed as a woman who has to deal with bitter feelings of being a has-been while barely managing her mental state. 

The side characters on Spinning Out are also well-developed and their arcs encompass a multitude of relevant issues. Kat’s friend & confidant, Marcus (Mitchell Edwards), a Black man, reveals his past experiences with racial discrimination. Then Kat & Justin’s coach Dasha, a Russian ex-pat, reveals that she was forced to make the choice between a beautiful woman and an Olympic dream when she was a young figure skater. 

Wealth inequality & classism are also brought to the forefront especially in the relationship between Kat & Justin’s wealthy background. Kat’s family is continually beset by financial problems that add to the burden of their mental health struggles. Sexual assault is another issue addressed in Spinning Out when Kat’s younger sister Serena (Willow Shields) becomes the victim of her coach’s advances. 

The story’s just beginning 

Fans demand a season two of Spinning Out for the gripping foray into social issues as well as the compelling story. As Spinning Out only ran for a mere ten episodes, fans only got a taste of Kat’s story. 

Season two is also important to allow the characters to develop further. Kat & Justin’s relationship was just beginning to blossom, Kat was on the verge of making her disorder public, and Carol was starting to keep her above water. Without at least a second season, fans of Spinning Out are left hanging. 

Hope for the future 

There may be a glimmer of hope for fans wishing for season two of Spinning Out. Since Spinning Out originated on the Pop network under the name Kiss and Cry, there might be a chance the network could save the show. However, the main reason Netflix snagged the Spinning Out in the first place was due to Pop’s economic struggle to produce the show, making anticipation for a second season a little far-fetched. 

A petition was created not long after Netflix announced Spinning Out’s cancellation. The petition to revive the figure skating series reached up to 30,000 signatures within a week. Though Netflix rarely brings back shows even with hefty public support, perhaps the large outcry from a series that was barely out a month will spark some interest from on high in the Netflix empire.