Is ‘The Undoing’ coming back for season 2? Everything to know

Whenever a really great show comes to an end, it leaves fans wanting more. This is definitely the case for HBO’s six-episode limited series The Undoing, which had its finale on November 29. The cliffhanger-ridden show even broke some of the network’s records. It’s the first HBO original series where viewership consistently increased each week during the season. The finale had 3 million viewers the night it aired. That made it the most watched night of viewing for the network’s original series. Big Little Lies held the spot previously. Both shows were created by David E. Kelley and star Nicole Kidman.

An ending with a solid conclusion (spoilers!)

The Undoing is loosely based on Jean Hannf Korelitz’s 2014 novel You Should Have Known. The show follows the story of Grace Fraser (Kidman) and the string of events that happen in her life. First, Elena Alves, a mother from Grace’s son’s private school, was murdered. It’s a mystery who kills Elena until the finale. Grace’s husband, Jonathan (Hugh Grant), is revealed as the culprit. Throughout the show, he seems suspicious but keeps up a façade of innocence. Grace unveils the truth about Jonathan’s Narcissistic Personality Disorder at the witness stand, then Jonathan kidnaps their son Henry, and then authorities catch Jonathan before he can leave the city. Although many other events happen throughout the six-part story, one of the most important aspects of the ending was Jonathan getting put behind bars. This provided a conclusion to the show’s plot and wrapped the story up.

No talks of a second season (yet)

The Undoing was only meant to be a limited series, so it’s unlikely there will be a second season. No additional episodes have been confirmed as of now. Director Susanne Bier told ET although she “would love” to add more to the story, it’s “wishful thinking” and there aren’t any plans currently. Noma Dumezweni, who plays attorney Haley Fitzgerald on the show, told BAZAAR.com “In my head, it was a limited series, we’ve done the storytelling. And I don’t think there is [space for another season].” David E. Kelley, the show’s creator, told TVLine he’s happy with how it turned out. However, he added he’s not going to deny the possibility of a continuation. “I said there wouldn’t be a second season of Big Little Lies, so I won’t say that now. I learned my lesson. But that is not our intent.” No renewal announcements from HBO or producers have emerged as of July 2026. Wikipedia and streaming listings continue to confirm single-season status. Occasional unsubstantiated online speculation persists but lacks credibility.

Legacy and cultural impact

The Undoing earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for its cast, writing, and direction. The series is frequently cited in discussions of 2020 prestige TV and the revival of glossy whodunit storytelling on premium cable. Its tightly plotted six episodes and high-profile pairing of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant helped keep the limited-series format front and center during awards season chatter. Viewers and critics still reference its glossy New York setting and courtroom theatrics when mapping the lineage of later mystery dramas.

Where to watch and streaming availability

The complete six-episode season remains available on Max, the rebranded successor to HBO Max. New viewers continue to discover the title when searching for self-contained thrillers that reward a single weekend binge. The platform lists the series as a finished run with no additional seasons attached, preserving the original limited-series structure for anyone arriving years after the 2020 premiere.

Similar shows to watch next

Big Little Lies shares the same creator, lead actress, and limited-series-to-multi-season path, making it the clearest next stop for fans. Other David E. Kelley projects such as Big Sky deliver weekly mystery beats, while Nicole Kidman’s later turns in The Perfect Couple and Expats offer comparable upscale suspense. Viewers drawn to Hugh Grant’s chilly turn can also try A Very English Scandal for another contained prestige package.

Cast members' post-Undoing careers

Nicole Kidman moved between major studio films and limited series, including Being the Ricardos and Special Ops: Lioness. Hugh Grant balanced romantic comedies like Paddington 2 follow-ups with dramatic roles in Heretic and Dunnes of the Dead. Noma Dumezweni continued acclaimed stage work in London and New York while adding screen credits in The Little Mermaid and prestige television. None of the principal cast has returned to The Undoing material since the finale aired.

Another limited series that got additional seasons

Big Little Lies also started as a limited series and was based on a book. However, the show became quite popular and a second season of the show was produced. Both Big Little Lies and The Undoing were only supposed to run for one season. Although nothing seems to be in the works at all, fans shouldn’t rule out season 2 quite yet. After what happened with Big Little Lies, there is a chance this show could face the same fate. It seems far fetched at the moment, but in a few months that could change.

Fans’ mixed emotions

Some fans were satisfied with The Undoing’s ending and others weren’t so happy. One Twitter user said the show “was brilliant, but when the early episode build up is so good, the finale was always bound to disappoint a tad.” Another Twitter user wants a season two because the finale was “underwhelming.” Others tweeted their praise for the finale. “The season finale of The Undoing was fantastic my goodness. My question now though is would there be a season 2,” someone wrote. Persistent fan desire for more content continues alongside acceptance of the limited format. Social media posts in recent years echo earlier disappointment or praise. If there is eventually a season two, fans could be waiting for quite a while. If there is never a season two, fans may always be left wanting more. Hopefully fans can figure out if The Undoing is done after all.