Why Black Cake Season 2 Isn't Happening — The Hulu Series' Cancelation Explained

Hulu announced that it's curtains for Black Cake, as the acclaimed drama series won't be returning to the platform for Black Cake season 2. The streaming service officially canceled the show in September 2024, 10 months after season 1 ended. Considering Hulu's long silence, it was only a matter of time before the decision to cancel the seriesbecame public. Based on the New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake follows two siblings who uncover mysteries about their family's past through a series of audio messages their mother left them upon her death.

By all accounts, Black Cake's cancelation doesn't make sense, as the series is a critical darling. Black Cake boasts a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, won multiple NAACP Image Awards, and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. The series was even produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, with Oprah herself serving as an executive producer. But cancelations are sadly a part of the ever-changing television landscape, as some of the best series get canceled too soon.

Hulu Didn't Give A Reason For Canceling Black Cake Season 2

But The Cancelation Is Part Of A Problematic Trend

Hulu never explained why Black Cake was scrapped after just one season consisting of only eight episodes. However, Black Cake's cancelation is particularly frustrating becausethe series was initially the subject of a bidding war between Hulu and Netflix, with Hulu eventually securing the rights to the show. It stings even more because Black Cake ended on a cliffhang, like so many great canceled shows that came before it. At the end of the last episode, Nine Night, Mabel finally listens to her mother's audio recording, which reveals information about her biological father.

But, alas, the series was cut short before Mabel could find any meaningful answers, and it looks like she would have gotten them. Creator and showrunner Marissa Jo Crerar revealed that she initially “pitched three seasons” of Black Cake because “there’s so much story” to tap into beyond the first season’s storylines” (via The Wrap).

Black Cake'scancelation came just after Hulu announced they were axing Unprisoned after two seasons. Unprisoned, which starred Scandal actressKerry Washington, also ended on a cliffhanger regarding Paige's biological father. Sadly, both series are part of a growing trend where shows featuring BIPOC leads are being canceled prematurely. Streaming services have appeared to want to make steps in changing television by bringing diverse perspectives to the small screen, but all too often, streaming shows that feature distinct Black voices are canceled after one or two seasons.

What Would Have Happened In Black Cake Season 2

More Questions Would Have Been Answered

Black Cake Mabel talking to woman — Black Cake Still 4

Black Cake season 2 likely would have followed Mabel's journey to uncover more information about her biological father. Marissa Jo Cerar discussed Mabel's future in the series, saying:

“But her story, Mabel’s, we’ve barely scratched the surface of her journey in season one, and her story is so rich, and I’m so excited to give it its due in a proper Season 2 if we get a Season 2..."

Also, a second season would have answered if Byron is going to help raise his child with Lynette, among other questions the series left unanswered at the end of season one. There's a chance that Netflix could revive Black Cake, but it's unlikely. While Netflix has a history of picking up canceled shows they wanted in the first place, there's been no talk of the streaming service reviving Black Cake.

Additionally, taking an original series from one streaming service and moving it to another is incredibly difficult because of licensing and intellectual property issues. Most of the series Netflix has revived aired initially on cable television, making distribution rights a little less complex. It's also worth noting that Netflix has a track record of canceling more shows than any other streaming service, soBlack Cake could end up on the chopping block again. But for now, the acclaimed series isn't continuing any time soon.