Netflix cancels 1899 after one season – and queer fans are furious

Netflix has cancelled yet another show with queer characters – this time, 1899.

The multi-lingual show followed a steamship, Kerberos, after setting sail in – you guessed it – 1899, following the same route as its sister ship, Prometheus, which disappeared four months earlier.

The ship is full of Europeans travelling from the UK to New York to start new lives, with a series of mysterious events occurring after they receive a message from Prometheus.

Elite star Miguel Bernardeau had a memorable role as Ángel, a wealthy Spaniard travelling with his priest brother, Ramiro (José Pimentão). Only, it’s revealed the two aren’t brothers, but lovers.

Miguel Bernardeau really brought all the drama from Elite with him to 1899 pic.twitter.com/LVj8OHs9mc

— Netflix (@netflix) November 21, 2022

Despite creators reportedly having plans for seasons two and three, 1899 got the chop on Monday (2 January), less than two months after it premiered.

The news was confirmed by co-creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Freise.

“With a heavy heart we have to tell you that 1899 will not be renewed,” they wrote. “We would have loved to finish this incredible journey with a second and third season as we did with [their previous Netflix series] Dark. But sometimes things don’t turn out the way you planned. That’s life.”

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A post shared by baranboodar (@baranboodar)

Cast member Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, who played Krester (also gay), wrote that he and the cast are “truly devastated” by the show’s cancellation.

As a lot of you may already know… 1899 will not be renewed for a 2nd and 3rd season… We are all truly devastated by this fact. This photo was taken the first night I met these people. You can take away the show, but you can’t take away family🖤 Thank you all for watching
x L pic.twitter.com/HMs8PVDQQ8

— LUCAS LYNGGAARD (@Lucashewnut) January 2, 2023

Fans of the series have criticised Netflix’s “mind-boggling” decision to cancel the show, with a petition for its renewal reaching over 14,000 signatures in just 14 hours.

when you think that 1899 was an international show with an international diverse cast, who let actors speak their own maternal language, original, unique, well written, didn't do anything stupid for a shock value, unpredictable etc and they cancelled it like? make it make sense

— O 🫒 (@AneelaKinRit) January 2, 2023

1899 WONT BE RENEWED THEY HAD PLANS FOR S2 AND S3 IM CRYING NO WAY I CANT BYE pic.twitter.com/TK2tdAAeU0

— Ａ🜃 (@awscue) January 2, 2023

netflix cancelled 1899 i already hate this year pic.twitter.com/YTgslpuISv

— evie (@barcuswroot) January 2, 2023

Series one ended on a cliffhanger – and while fans didn’t particularly love the ending, it was another reason they were desperate for another season.

netflix canceling 1899 after THAT ending will forever be my villain origin story bye pic.twitter.com/94Uk4Og11Q

— Liz (@henryswille) January 2, 2023

1899 garnered positive reviews from critics and fans alike and featured in Netflix’s Top 10.

Twitter users have pointed out that the show was up against the hugely popular Wednesday, which received a lot of heavy promotion from Netflix.

1899 getting cancelled after literally being at the top of Netflix’s daily charts for weeks after release and then only dropping to two because of Wednesday which they ALSO haven’t renewed yet doesn’t make any sense to me pic.twitter.com/7qOs3KBHAX

— paul (@paulswhtn) January 2, 2023

1899 now joins Fate: A Winx Saga, Warrior Nun and First Kill in the hall of cancelled Netflix shows.

Netflix told PinkNews that the show was cancelled due to: “Viewership rather than cost”.