Following the sudden cancelation of Netflix's Warrior Nun, series creator Simon Barry confirmed that the show was revived for season 3.The Netflix series became a fan favorite for its unique concept combined with humor. After orphan Ava (Alba Baptista) wakes up in a morgue, she learns she is the Halo Bearer and joins a sect of nuns in fighting the forces of darkness. A spiritual successor to the cult classic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the series inflamed fan fervor who were devastated when the series was cut short after season 2. Passionate viewers took to the internet, decrying the choice of the streaming platform to cancel a beloved series. In a David and Goliath story, fans created a campaign to save the show even though Netflix is never quick to reverse these decisions. Warrior Nun proved to be one in a million because, surprisingly, fan outcry worked. Barry took to Twitter to announce the welcome news that Warrior Nun would indeed see a third season. Though there was no confirmation if the series will continue on Netflix or if it has found a new home, Barry's enthusiasm was palpable. He thanked the fans whose passion alone seemed to be why the show would rise from the grave.
This news may come as a surprise to those familiar with Netflix. Warrior Nun was not the only casualty of that season, which included many one-season shows like 1899, The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself, and The Midnight Club. While 1899 and The Midnight Club were helmed by successful Netflix creatives, it didn’t save their shows. Since niche genre shows like these falter before reaching the finish line, it seemed like the only way to save Warrior Nun would be with a video game. However, the show became a rare case and will give fans a happy ending.
A raid fanbase is only half of the equation when renewing a series. Milestone shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game are quickly greenlit because of how many viewers they pull in. Even if there is a passionate fandom, shows that do not become cultural phenomena are more likely to get canceled. Warrior Nun is a success story that brings a ray of light to the streaming model, but that doesn’t mean this will become a pattern.
As much as viewers would love this to be commonplace, it’s more likely that Warrior Nun will only become the exception to the cancelation rule. Mike Flanagan's Edgar Allan Poe series may continue after other cancellations, but so many shows that deserved more met the ax because they failed with certain metrics. Netflix – and other platforms like it – are a business first. Warrior Nun had the privilege of appealing to a fanbase that wouldn’t take no for an answer. And there is still the unsubstantiated issue of the next season possibly being the last. Though fans will get a resolution to the season 2 cliffhanger, there is no telling if they must prepare for an end or if they can expect a season 4 or beyond.
Warrior Nun seasons 1-2 are currently streaming on Netflix.
Source: Simon Barry