Many viewers felt that the Netflix drama The Haunting of Hill House, based on and inspired by Shirley Jackson’s novel, was perfect as a limited series and, despite the massive critical acclaim and strong viewing figures, a second season might dilute the effect if the story was expanded further. So Netflix have come to the obvious solution of renewing the series, but branding it as an anthology title – which basically means that the new season – entitled The Haunting of Bly Manor – will have a totally new story with a new cast of characters.
As previously, the psychological horror season will be inspired by existing works. The ‘Bly Mansion’ was the setting for the unsettling events detailed in The Turn of the Screw written by Henry James in 1898, a story that has been adapted in various forms in the years since.
Mike Flanagan, the creator / executive producer / director whose passion project became the first season and executive producer Trevor Macy (who are currently working on an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep, due in cinemas on 8th December ) remain on board to help shape the new run and their new Netflix deal is set to include a multi-year deal that could see them create work beyond the horror genre.
