Will Waiting for the Out Season 2 happen? Here's what we know

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Waiting for the Out Season 2 has become a notable question on fans' minds following the series' premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on January 3. The mini-series has got the attention of the viewers with its raw portrayal of personal redemption and prison life.

The story is based on The Life Inside by Andy West and follows Dan, a philosophy teacher working in a prison. Dan teaches every week on the topics of dominance, freedom, and luck.

These philosophical discussions take on a new meaning when filtered through the experiences of incarcerated men. The series also focuses on Dan's troubled family history. His brother, father, and uncle all spent time in prison. This legacy terrifies Dana and makes him fear he might get the same fate.

The writer Dennis Kelly adapted the memoir with support from Levi David Addai and Ric Renton. The show features Josh Finan as Dan, along with Gerard Kearns, Phil Daniels, and Stephen Wight. Now that all six episodes have been released, audiences are curious to know if Waiting for the Out Season 2 will happen.


Dennis Kelly discusses the future of Waiting for the Out

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The writer Dennis Kelly recently addressed the possibility of Waiting for the Out Season 2 in a discussion with media outlets. Kelly revealed he had just talked about this topic with an executive producer. He said the following.

"The truth is, I talked, literally yesterday, to an executive producer and asked the same question."

Kelly further explained that when the team first conceived the show, they discussed future seasons. However, everyone turned so focused on perfecting the first season that they have not looked ahead yet.

Kelly expressed excitement about continuing the story. He said:

"Because when we conceived it, we were talking about the next series, and we've been so focused on getting this down that no one's actually put their head up. But I'd love to do it. I'd love to do it again."

The writer presented several factors that would influence whether Waiting for the Out Season 2 moves forward. Viewers' reception would play a crucial role. He would also need collaboration from Andy West. The leading actor, Josh Finan, would need to return as Dan. Kelly made clear his attachment to the character. He shared:

"I mean, if people like it, if there's an appetite for it, if Andy wants to again, if Josh wants to do it again, I'd love to. Because I really liked being with those characters. And the actors were amazing. I got fond of everyone that was doing it, but mostly I think I love those characters. I feel like I could write tons for them."

The source material restriction

One potential obstacle for Waiting for the Out Season 2 includes the availability of initial material. Kelly acknowledged that Andy's personal story had mainly been covered in the previous season.

He stated that:

"Andy's story, I think we've probably exhausted."

However, Kelly pointed out that the situation is more troublesome. He explained:

"It's not that we couldn't find more or talk to Andy about more. It's a difficult question, because we'd have to collaborate on what that next thing would be, because there isn't something you can just pull out and go, 'It's that'."

Kelly revealed an essential detail about unused material.

He noted:

"But the other side of that is, there's loads of prison scenes in that book that we haven't even touched on, there's a ton of them."

The memoir contains several stories and classroom discussions not part of Season One. Kelly additionally stated:

"there's a lot more philosophical stuff in West's book."

Any continuation would need a creative partnership to develop new narratives.


What could happen next for Waiting for the Out

If Waiting for the Out Season 2 gets acceptance, the series could expand its focus on the prisoners in Dan's classes. Each prisoner has an eccentric background that could be explored in greater depth. Dan's struggle with inherited guilt also remains unresolved.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh