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Carolyn Jenkins is a voracious consumer of film and television. She graduated from Long Island University with an MFA in Screenwriting and Producing where she learned the art of character, plot, and structure. The best teacher is absorbing media and she spends her time reading about different worlds from teen angst to the universe of Stephen King.
Dark was the pinnacle of Netflix streaming, and any follow-up would have to live up to the masterpiece. The sci-fi series elevated what could be expected from the streaming platform, redefining what a time travel series could do. Taking place in the German town of Winden, Dark explores generations of trauma against the backdrop of a moody soundtrack. The series concluded after three seasons and is considered one of the best endings to a show.
Creators Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar followed up the fan-favorite series with 1899, a multi-language mystery that takes place aboard the steamship Kerberos. The large ensemble series was even more ambitious than Dark and had a world of potential. Tragically, the show did not make it past its first season. Netflix canceled 1899 despite its acclaim and love from the fans.
‘1899’ Was Ambitious But Worth It
Just like its predecessor, 1899 did not do any handholding with its audience. Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar returned with another mysterious series that was created purposefully to draw viewers in. The first episode starts with a sequence that blends the mysterious with the real world. Maura Franklin (Emily Beecham) dreams of being dragged away, and when she wakes up, she is alone on a ship. At this time, it was scandalous for a woman to be on her own, as well as Maura’s profession as a doctor. Women were often barred from practicing medicine and only allowed to study it, making Maura seem even more of an anomaly.
She is just one story out of many in a large ensemble. Everyone traveling to New York seemingly has a secret to hide, but that doesn’t even compare to what is really going on aboard the ship. Mid-voyage, the Kerberos investigates coordinates they believe to belong to the Prometheus, which disappeared without a trace four months previously.
The Kerberos finds the Prometheus, but this discovery plunges the series into further mysteries. Dark perfected the art of the mysterious setting that slowly revealed itself, and 1899 expanded it even further. The multicultural series stood out because of its huge ensemble cast and the multitude of languages spoken. It was an ambitious undertaking and, as far as the audience was concerned, it stuck the landing. 1899 walked in the footsteps of Dark and could have had the same affectionate fanbase with additional seasons to explore the haunted ship concept.
As with so many brilliant shows, however, Netflix was quick to end the series before it had a chance to fully develop. The platform is always hasty in greenlighting a show but less likely to renew it. The cancellation of 1899 haunted many critics and fans who had been looking for something that didn’t pander to the lowest common denominator. The series encouraged viewers to pay attention and look for clues, just as in the days of Lost.
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Viewership of the series continues to impress and proves that television series shouldn’t be judged on numbers alone. 1899 has had serious staying power, especially with its connection to one of the most perfect sci-fi series of all time. It still rises above the rest of Netflix’s content, even four years after its cancellation. Though unfinished, the eight episodes still on the platform are worth watching.
6 10 1899 Like Follow Followed Drama History Horror Release Date 2022 – 2022-00-00 Network Netflix Showrunner Baran Bo Odar Cast See All Emily Beecham Aneurin Barnard Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH Streaming
Writers Jantje Friese, Dario Madrona López Gallego, Emma Ko, Jerome Bucchan-Nelson, Juliana Lima Dehne, Emil Nygaard Albertsen Powered by Expand Collapse
