“Beef” made a significant impact during awards season after its impressive debut on Netflix, captivating audiences and critics alike. Following a buzz-filled period of speculation regarding its direction, it has been officially confirmed that Season 2 will be produced as an anthology series.
This announcement has ignited excitement among fans, especially with previously rumored cast members now confirmed to return. As we eagerly anticipate further reveals and updates about the upcoming season, let’s dive into everything we currently know about what to expect from “Beef” Season 2. Stay tuned for more information as it emerges!
On Tuesday, October 22, Netflix officially announced that the highly anticipated Season 2 of *Beef* will feature an impressive cast, including Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, both of whom have garnered acclaim for their previous performances. Joining them are Charles Melton from *May December* and Cailee Spaeny, known for her role in *Priscilla*.
Just a day later, on October 23, it was revealed that Youn Yuh-jung, the Oscar-winning actress celebrated for her performances in *Minari* and *Pachinko*, would also be joining the ensemble, adding further star power to the series.
In February 2024, Deadline hinted that Melton and Spaeny were in discussions to portray one of the couples at the heart of this new season’s narrative. Additionally, rumors circulated regarding actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, former co-stars of *Brokeback Mountain* and *Love & Other Drugs*, possibly playing another couple involved in the plot.
The castings of Isaac and Mulligan had been teased earlier in June, generating excitement among fans and industry watchers alike as the series gears up for its next chapter.
The upcoming season of the series presents a new narrative arc, shifting focus from its first season. The official description for Season 2 states: “A young couple witnesses an alarming fight between their boss and his wife, triggering chess moves of favors and coercion in the elitist world of a country club and its Korean billionaire owner.”
In this season, the younger couple will be portrayed by actors Melton and Spaeny, while Isaac and Mulligan will play the roles of the boss and his wife. Although Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, the stars of Season 1 who received Emmys for their performances, are serving as executive producers, their return as characters is unlikely given the anthology format, although it remains a possibility.
Lee Sung Jin will reprise his roles as creator, showrunner, and executive producer, with Jake Schreier also onboard as an executive producer. The series is a collaboration between Netflix and A24. While a specific premiere date has yet to be announced, Netflix has confirmed that Season 2 will consist of eight 30-minute episodes, and the platform continues to categorize it as a limited series.
Season 1 primarily revolved around the conflict between Wong’s character, Amy, and Yeun’s character, Danny, after a road rage incident. In contrast, Season 2 will explore tensions between two feuding couples.
When asked about the show’s direction during the Emmys, Jin indicated, “It could stay limited — it was a very close-ended story for sure.” He also noted that if Netflix wanted to continue, it could adopt an anthology format, leaving potential avenues open for future seasons.
Scripts for the second season have reportedly been completed and are awaiting submission to Netflix and A24, with plans for production potentially commencing in the fall. Though this information is currently unconfirmed, it aligns with Jin’s practice of thorough planning, as he indicated prior to Season 1’s premiere that he aims to provide detailed pitches with minimal ambiguity.
