In a mystery worthy of Mare herself, it appears we may possibly be getting a second series of the immensely popular Mare Of Easttown – but we just can’t work out whether it’s actually going to happen or not.

It was the whodunnit with a tour-de-force performance from a vape-dragging Kate Winslet that had everybody hooked back in 2021. But as the mystery over who really killed Erin was revealed (no spoilers here, just in case) it seemed like everything was done and dusted, with no need for a follow-up series.

At the time, the creator Brad Ingelsby even said to Esquire: “We didn't ever talk about returning... it's very much a closed story. I think you've seen that now, the story ends. I think all the loose ends get tied up. I hope so at least.”

However he added: “But I think if we could ever crack a story that was as emotional and surprising, then I think maybe there's a conversation. I don't have that in my head right now, but I mean, listen, I love Mare. If we could ever give her a great season, I would certainly consider it. I would only do it if I was convinced we could make it great, though. I wouldn't do it just because you have a chance to do it. I would want to make sure that it was as rich and compelling as I hope this season has been.”

Winslet – who won Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG awards for her role as Mare – said that she was more than open to a return to the character. In May 2021, she told TVLine: “I would absolutely love to play Mare again. I miss her. I really do. It’s the strangest thing. I feel like I’m in mourning. It was an absolutely wonderful role.”

So is there going to be a Mare of Easttown 2 or not?

Well, the latest chat about it suggests it could be in the early stages of a re-up. Speaking with Variety, HBO’s head of drama Francesca Orsi said that after the 2021 Emmys, “we did run to have discussions about a Season 2. But it did feel too soon.”

Now though, she added, it might be the time. Whats more, they were considering a time-jump forward: “While there’s nothing in the works, we are having early discussions about whether it might be time to start thinking of building something. We might be willing to figure out with Mare, years later, picking her up — not on the heels of where she ended, but there have been years for the character that have passed. Who is she now?”

Add this to the slightly cagey response Winslet gave to a Variety interviewer when asked if she would play Mare again (“Probably… move on”), and we suspect that things might be advancing on that front once again. Pop open a bottle of Rolling Rock!

Coming up next

Laura Martin is a freelance journalist  specializing in pop culture.

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