‘Beef’ Season 2’s rumored predominantly white cast sparks backlash
By Ryan General
February 28, 2024
Fans of Netflix’s award-winning series “Beef” are expressing disappointment over the rumored predominantly white casting choices for its upcoming second season.
Second season reports: Reports have emerged that “Beef” creator and executive producer Lee Sung Jin is eyeing Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway to play starring roles in the show’s next iteration. Melton, who is half-Korean, stands as the sole Asian American cast member among the predominantly white ensemble. While Deadline, who first reported the rumor, notes that “no deals are in place,” the purported casting decisions have sparked outrage among fans.
What fans are saying: On social media, netizens expressed disappointment and confusion over the shift in casting choices, with many lamenting the departure from the show’s original focus on Asian American experiences.
“The whole concept of Beef is how Asian Americans are striving with difficulty in achieving the American dream through anger and madness, then on Season 2 we get to see this theme explored… with a majorly white cast?” an X user wrote.
“None of my business but Asian American filmmakers really get one hit and then BOOM white people 😭😭😭,” another user reacted.
“Im crying cause they said “won an emmy? yeah lets get some white people in there,” a user chimed in.
“I feel like an appealing factor of season 1 was the amount of Asian representation they had, and now they’ve just done the opposite for a season they don’t even need to do,” wrote another.
Why casting matters: The original “Beef” delves into the complex lives of its Asian American characters, particularly Danny (played by Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong), as they navigate societal challenges while pursuing their dreams in America. The series, initially conceived as a limited project, resonated with audiences for its authentic portrayal of Asian American experiences and garnered widespread acclaim during its debut season.
What to expect: Reports indicate scripts for a potential second season of “Beef” have been submitted to Netflix. If greenlit, A24 and Netflix could begin production later this year, targeting a mid-to-late 2025 release. While neither Netflix nor A24 has officially announced anything official regarding the upcoming season, Lee has hinted at what’s in store for the future of the show.
“We always pitched the season to buyers as an anthology series,” Lee told Deadline last month. “There was always going to be new characters. Whether it stays limited or turns as an anthology or we continue existing, that’s really up to Netflix. But whatever they decide, I’m definitely ready.”
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