Oscar Isaac & Carey Mulligan’s “Different” Dynamic In Beef Season 2 Teased By Star

Beef‘s new star, Carey Mulligan, teases a very different story for season 2. Created by Lee Sung Jin, the debut season starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, centering on a road rage incident that entangles Danny, a contractor with a chip on his shoulder, and Amy, an unfulfilled entrepreneur, in a relentless cycle of revenge that threatens everyone around them. Following critical acclaim and a massive award campaign, Netflix renewed the series for a sophomore installment. Mulligan (Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby) will headline Beef season 2 alongside Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny.

In an interview with Screen Rant at Sundance, while promoting The Ballad of Wallis Island, Mulligan was asked about the upcoming season, which marks a reunion with Drive and Inside Llewyn Davis star Isaac. While acknowledging that this is her third collaboration with Isaac, she also teased that their dynamic will be different. Mulligan also confirmed that they are filming in Los Angeles. Check out her comment below:

It’s so funny. Yes, it’s our third thing. We did Drive together, then we did Inside Llewyn Davis, and then this is our sort of triptych or whatever. It’s nice.

We’re shooting in LA, and that’s where we shot Drive and where we first met. So, we do have a lot of history, me and Oscar. This is different. That’s all I can say.

What This Means for Beef Season 2

The Series Is Heading Toward Standalone Stories Versus Building Off Of Danny & Amy

Season 2’s shift to an anthology format is a major evolution for the series. Season 1 was self-contained, focusing on the explosive dynamic between Danny and Amy, and earned rave reviews along with a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score. By transitioning to a new cast, the story opens the door for the Netflix series to explore this new anthology structure. Moreover, Lee Sung Jin’s return as a creator, showrunner, and executive producer ensures that the series retains its tone and sharp writing. Yeun and Wong will also return to executive produce, along with Mulligan, Isaac, Melton, and Spaeny set to produce.

Additionally, Mulligan in the leading role ensures the series continues to feature powerhouse performances. Her history of critically lauded roles in films like Promising Young Woman and Maestro reflects Beef’s ongoing commitment to casting distinguished talent. Her co-stars, Isaac (Dune, Inside Llewyn Davis) and rising talents Melton (May December, Warfare) and Spaeny (Priscilla, Alien: Romulus), further upraise Beef‘s profile and demonstrate a strong focus on its performances. However, unlike the first season which focused on the two leads, the sophomore installment will have more main characters, which could imply a much more complex story. For now, the story and character details are still under wraps.

In terms of Mulligan’s own tease, she and Isaac portrayed couples in some circumstances in both films. Coincidentally, both films showcased their characters’ dynamic as being estranged or broken, especially with Mulligan’s Irene being separated from Isaac’s Standard Gabriel due to his imprisonment in Drive. Unfortunately, she doesn’t specify what their dynamic will be in season 2, but it’s possible that they may not be a couple, or they will be romantic partners on good terms.

Our Take on Beef Season 2’s New Direction

Beef’s Anthology Format is Refreshing

Developing Beef’s format to a new plot per season is an ambitious, yet refreshing direction. With Mulligan and Isaac leading season 2, the series has the talent and creative leadership to continue delivering compelling storytelling. Beef season 2 has the potential to carve out a unique space in Netflix’s lineup and push the boundaries of what made the first season set apart.

Beef

Release Date

April 6, 2023

Network

Netflix

Directors

Hikari

Writers

Alice Ju