Shadow and Bone star Jessie Mei Li reflects on the show’s cancellation and its potential future. Based on the Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo, the series ran for two seasons on Netflix while following Alina Starkov (Li), whose power as the Sun Summoner would forever change her world. In addition to season 3, there were plans for a Netflix spinoff based on the novel Six of Crows, and scripts were already written, but both season 3 and the spinoff were cancelled.
While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Li shares how grateful she is that Shadow and Bone “ended on a high.” She discusses how it is better for a series to conclude on a strong note and for the audience to want more as opposed to a show dragging on without an end in sight. Li also reveals how playing Alina changed her life and her career, and that if Netflix were to reverse their decision, she would be open to returning. Check out her comments below:
And I have to ask about Shadow and Bone because I was so sad that it was canceled before we could get a season three.
It was just the most amazing time. It’s obviously devastating that it was canceled, but also it felt like we ended it on a high. Sometimes these shows go on and on and on. We had two of the best years of my life. It was so good. And we’re all just super close still.
It definitely didn’t outstay its welcome.
Which is a better ending than people being like, “How is this show still going?” But it’s frustrating because it felt like there was so much more to tell.
Professionally, do you look back fondly on that time?
Oh, 100 percent. I never really foresaw this is as my life. I kind of stumbled my way into acting by being in the right place at the right time. And obviously Shadow and Bone came along. And I won’t lie, I did find it a bit overwhelming, because I’d gone from being just Jessie Mei from Redhill [Surrey, England] to suddenly being recognized. I think I initially found it quite — I wasn’t really sure. I was like, I don’t know if this is for me. But then more opportunities presented themselves to me off the back of that. And I learned on the job. I really hadn’t trained that much. I’d done a couple of acting classes and courses and things but I didn’t have an awful lot of experience. So Shadow and Bone was out of the frying pan and into the fire. I learned a lot because I was always on set being in everyone’s business. I wanted to know stuff. “How does that work?” Talking to the DP about lighting, understanding everyone’s job. Now, when I go on to set, I know what’s going on. I’m much more literate which I think is making me a much better actor. So I’m thankful for Shadow and Bone. It couldn’t have been a better first job.
I presume if Netflix turned around and said, “We’re gonna do a season three,” you’d be up for it?
Oh God, of course. To go back with all my mates to Budapest and just have a lovely time? Absolutely. It would be a dream. And we do talk about it. Sometimes a bunch of us say, “Well, should we go back to Budapest on holiday? Just pretend we’re back there?”
What This Means For Shadow And Bone
Jessie Mei Li And Other Cast Members Would Return For Season 3 And The Spinoff
While there is no sign of Netflix changing their decision, it is promising to know that Li and other members of the cast are still enthusiastic about the show. Shadow and Bone season 2’s ending concluded the story of the Darkling (Ben Barnes), but there was still a great deal left to explore with Alina, Nikolai Lantsov (Patrick Gibson), Mal Oretsev (Archie Renaux), and the Crows. The introduction of the jurda parem drug in season 2’s final moments set the stage for season 3 and the spinoff, and Li and her peers are still eager to tell those stories.
Related
Who Are The Six Of Crows? Every Member Of Kaz Brekker’s Crew Explained
The Shadow and Bone TV show never showed the official “Six of Crows” working together; these are the original six members of Kaz’s crew in the books.
Even if Netflix never gives the Grishaverse another chance, Li’s comments emphasize the enduring impact that Shadow and Bone has on popular culture and on all the creatives involved in bringing the project to life. The show ended when there was still an appetite for more, and this is much better than the story going on indefinitely, and to the point where the audience grows tired of it. It remains one of the most memorable and best fantasy shows in recent years and provided the exposure that has led to the wide range of opportunities Li has had since.
More Alina & More Of The Grishaverse Would Be Most Welcome
The moment where Alina says, “You may have needed me, but I never needed you” to the Darkling in the Shadow and Bone season 1 finale is one of my all-time favorite moments in any show. Li excelled in her role as Alina, and I am glad to hear about how much she enjoyed the experience and that she is open to returning. In an era where popular IPs are revived, often years later, there is always a chance of Shadow and Bone making an unexpected return, and if it does, it needs to feature Li reprising her role as Alina.
Source: THR
Shadow and Bone
5/10
- Release Date
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2021 – 2023-00-00
- Showrunner
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Eric Heisserer
- Directors
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Mairzee Almas, Lee Toland Krieger, Jeremy Webb, Bola Ogun, Karen Gaviola, Laura Belsey, Dan Liu
- Writers
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Eric Heisserer, Vanya Asher, Daegan Fryklind, Shelley Meals, Christina Strain, M. Scott Veach, Donna Thorland, Erin Conley, Nick Culbertson