The power of social media and fandom asserts itself once again – after its brutal cancellation at the beginning of June, fans have gotten Sense8 renewed for a two-hour special next year to wrap up its loose ends.
Netflix cancelled the Wachowski sisters’ show in June, citing funds, low viewer numbers and ‘too many hit shows’. It was an unexpected move, especially given the shows’ small but dedicated following and Netflix’s previous insistence that they don’t care about viewer numbers. Especially in the wake of other cancellations, it sent a strong and crushing message to queer and LGBT+ communities around the world.
However, it sparked a fan campaign the like of which hasn’t been seen since the infamous Firefly letter flood, more than ten years ago. Like Firefly, fans want a proper ending, no matter what form it comes in.
https://twitter.com/s8daily/status/879450068952256514
People are singing "What's going on?" GLOBALLY and you still don't know that Sense8 and its success are real?? Are U for REAL? #RenewSense8
— Sensate (@Sensate17) June 28, 2017
The second tweet refers to “What’s Up”, a song by the 4 Non Blondes repopularized by Sense8. Fans worldwide are using it as an anthem to rally around, as seen below.
https://twitter.com/CarolineFley/status/878643587986149380
Sense8 Renewed
After several refusals on Netflix’s part to renew the show, the news this morning was a wonderful surprise. It came in the form of a statement from Sense8 co-creator Lana Wachowski.
Death doesn't let you say goodbye. 2 hour finale episode in the works. Tell your cluster. pic.twitter.com/GHZgGuHwS0
— Sense8 (@sense8) June 29, 2017
“The passionate letters, the petitions, the collective voice that rose up like the first Sun to fight for this show was beyond what anyone was expecting.”
There is no further information yet available about the special. It’s not too much to imagine that the cluster will return. We know for sure that we’ll find out what happens to Wolfgang, from the letter above. It’s also certain, unfortunately, that that will be the end of the show. However, this time, it’ll be a planned end, and a natural one – and hopefully one that foretells better times for the cluster and for queer communities the world over.
