Lana Wachowski Admits Sense8 Cancellation Caused “Serious Depression” but Reminds Us We’re Not Alone as Finale Is Announced

Jill Pantozzi | June 29th, 2017

Never forget there is some good in this world. co-creator Lana Wachowski posted a statement today revealing Netflix is giving Sense8 a two-hour finale.

It was devestating. On the heels of the Season 2 finale, and on the first day of LGBTQ+ Pride month, Netflix announced they were cancelling the series from The Wachowskis (Lana and Lilly) and J. Michael Straczynski. Fans, myself included, were heartbroken. It was an incredibly unique sci-fi series with stories set all over the world and with a super diverse cast: Aml Ameen, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton, Toby Onwumere, Max Riemelt, Miguel Ángel Silvestre and Brian J. Smith as a cluster of “sensates” and Freema Agyeman, Terrence Mann, Naveen Andrews, and Daryl Hannah also starred.

A few days later there was another kick to the guy when Netflix posted that they would not be bringing the series back despite fan campaigns. But the campaigns did not stop and today Lana posted this statement to the Sense8 Twitter account:

I’ve transcribed it here for those who can’t read the test as-is. Grab some tissues.

Dear Sense8 Family,

I have been meaning to write this letter for some time. The outpouring of love and grief that came in the wake of the news that Sense8 would not be continuing was so intense that I often found myself unable to open my own email. I confess I fell into a fairly serious depression.

I had never worked so hard, or put so much of myself into a project as I had with Sense8 and its cancellation hollowed me out. I felt the disappointment of my amazing crew (I wish people could understand the impossibilities they achieved with implausible regularity.) I felt the sadness of the actors who had given so much of themselves, always finding more whenever the sun broke from the clouds. But most of all I felt the heartbreak of our fans (again I wish I could cluster with you to share some of the beautiful moments, the hugs, tears and laughter, as well as the insightful and humbling conversations I have had with people who have connected to this show; they are unlike any fans I have ever encountered as an artist).

Friends kept calling from all over the world asking, ‘Isn’t there anything you can do?’

And the truth was, no. By myself, there was nothing I could do.

But just as the characters in our show discover that they are not alone, I too have learned that I am not just a me. I am also a we.

The passionate letters, the petitions, the collective voice that rose up like that fist of Sun to fight for this show was beyond what anyone was expecting.

In this world it is easy to believe that you cannot make a difference; that when a government or an institution or corporation makes a decision, there is something irrevocable about the decision; that love is always less important than the bottom line.

But here is a gift from the fans of this show that I will carry forever in my heart: while it is often true those decisions are irreversible, it is not always true.

Improbably, unforeseeably, your love has brought Sense8 back to life. (I could kiss every single one of you!)

It is my great pleasure as well as Netflix’s (believe me, they love the show as much as we do but the numbers have always been challenging) to announce that there will be another two hour special released next year. After that… if this experience has taught me anything, you NEVER know.

Thank you all. Now let’s go find out what happens to Wolfgang.

Lana

A powerful statement. And something definitely needed right now. While the Netflix accounts are referring to the impending two-hour special as the finale, Lana seems to leave the door open for more. Perhaps there’s still hope for someone else picking up the show? Regardless, I’m overjoyed they’re giving the creators a chance to give fans closure after that cliffhanger of a season finale.

Some of the stars of the show are equally excited about the news and took to Twitter to share.

And I just happened to see this one on his profile as well…

Very cute.

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Posted in TV

One Response to “Lana Wachowski Admits Sense8 Cancellation Caused “Serious Depression” but Reminds Us We’re Not Alone as Finale Is Announced”

  1. lev36 says:
    July 6, 2017 at 10:15 am

    So very glad to hear it! Also hoping someone else will pick it up to continue the series, though I suspect that’s still unlikely.