Atomic Shelter Season 2: Shocking Things Netflix Series Must Do for Renewal!

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, then you’ve likely not missed El Refugio Atomico, and if you’re reading this article, it’s because you’ve already binge-watched it.

The latest creation from the Spanish duo Alex Pina / Esther Martinez Lobato, this heist series with a sci-fi twist is already number 1 in 21 countries according to Flixpatrol. But is this enough to secure a second season?

Warning, spoilers ahead.

A second season is not guaranteed

The first season of El Refugio Atomico ends on a cliffhanger: Max (Pau Simon) manages to evade the guards and gain access to the upper level. In the final scene, we see him opening the bunker door and being engulfed by a bright light. Things are a bit more complicated for Asia (Alicia Falco) who was arrested for aiding her friend.

A second season makes sense, especially now that Max is aware of what’s happening inside. But nothing is certain for the Netflix series. While it’s highly popular in various European countries, including France, this alone won’t guarantee a renewal. The platform will need to closely monitor viewer ratings and compare them with other Spanish productions.

Another factor to consider is that El Refugio Atomico is quite expensive to produce. It’s one of Vancouver Media’s – the production company founded by Alex Pina in 2016 – most ambitious projects: the series required the rental of a massive 7000 m2 studio and the creation of custom bunker sets. These include 3 levels, an actual Zen garden, and a retro-futuristic ambiance that also came with a hefty price tag.

What did subscribers think of the new series from the creators of La Casa de Papel?

Ideas for what’s next

While waiting to find out if El Refugio Atomico has achieved enough viewership numbers for a renewal, Alex Pina and Esther Martinez Lobato are already brainstorming for a potential second season. They already have a few ideas in mind.

In an interview with Spanish media outlet, Espinof, the two showrunners shared some hints about the continuation of the series:

“We’ve thought about how to start season 2, in order to be able to write the end of the season. So we’ve defined what happens right after. We also have ideas to make the story even more “ruthless and hardcore”. What we haven’t thought about yet is how season 2 will be structured.”

While the duo did not provide further details about the plot of the second season, it’s clear that the billionaires trapped in the bunker will continue to face challenges. We can presume that Minerva (Miren Ibarguren) and her team will once again attempt to steal their wealth – after having successfully stolen 900 million euros from Guillermo. As for Max, it’s likely he’ll do everything he can to return to the bunker and save everyone.

But nothing is guaranteed for El Refugio Atomico. If the production costs are too high for Netflix and if viewers do not appreciate the series – it currently has a rating of “only” 2.8 out of 5 on AlloCiné, it might not be renewed for a second season.