Netflix’s ‘The Haunting’ Season 2: Cast, Release Date, and How It Relates to “Turn of the Screw”

The Haunting of Hill House is officially coming back for a Season 2, but this time around they’re dumping the Crain family on the curb. Netflix has announced that it will be releasing another season of the ghostly drama sometime in our binge watching futures — with a few twists.

Based on the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name, Season 1 of The Haunting of Hill House debuted in October of 2018. Over the course of multiple timelines, the series told the story of one sad family being haunted by a string of unrelenting ghosts in their new home. Fans of the series tuned in for its addicting plot but stayed for all of its hidden ghosts. That first season is one of the few horror series ever released to be both genuinely scary, and a hit with mainstream audiences.

And with The Haunting‘s second season, Netflix wants to see if it can recreate this rare apparition. Here’s everything you need to know about The Haunting of Hill House Season 2, including that it’s not actually called The Haunting of Hill House anymore!

How is The Haunting of Hill House Season 2 connected to Season 1?

As revealed in a press release from Netflix, the streaming service has greenlit a multi-year television deal with series creator Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy. This deal comes following the success of The Haunting of Hill House, and though Flanagan will definitely continue to make horror for Netflix, it’s likely that he’s finished with the Crain family.

Instead of focusing on the Bent Neck Lady again, Flanagan and Macy are going the anthology route. One of the first shows this duo will produce for Netflix under their new deal is another installment in what will now be known as The Haunting series. Under this anthology change, The Haunting of Hill House will now be the first installment. It’s like American Horror Story, but instead of bizarre new Ryan Murphy tales changing from year to year, each new season of The Haunting will feature a new adaptation of a ghostly novel or short story.

What’s the title of The Haunting Season 2?

Netflix is really leaning into the mystery of its horror series this time. Shortly after the official Netflix account tweeted out the Season 2 announcement, the company’s sci-fi and horror Twitter account gave us another hint. According to NX on Netflix, Season 2 will be titled The Haunting of *** ***** (one three letter word and one five letter one).

Naturally, because this was announced on Twitter, several users tweeted out wild guesses. The Haunting of GOB Bluth, The Haunting of the Haunt, and The Haunting of Bob Saget were all thrown out. But the true name of this future season is a little less exciting.

The Haunting‘s Season 2 will be The Haunting of Bly Manor.

What’s The Haunting Season 2 about?

Buckle up, because things are about to get mega warped. In the show’s original tweet about Season 2, the company included a video of someone reading a mysterious, half-obscured piece of text. The words “The terrace and the whole place, the lawn and the garden beyond it, all I could see of the park, were empty with a great emptiness” can be (mostly) heard. That’s a direct line from Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw, which means we’re in for a rough second season.

Released in 1898, James’ novella follows a sort of story within a story, a narrative structure very similar to Season 1’s multiple timelines. One story follows a narrator listening to his friend read him a manuscript written by a now-dead governess. But the story-within-the-story we’re actually interested in details how a young governess came to take care of the children of Bly Manor. Immediately, it’s clear that something isn’t right with the young and orphaned Miles and Flora. After their parents mysteriously die, these oddly mature children are left in the care of their disinterested uncle. That’s where the weirdness starts, and it ends with ghosts. The governess comes to be haunted by two ghosts who inhabit the house, her predecessor Miss Jessel and another employee by the name of Peter Quint. As the story progresses, it transforms from a story of neglect into a far darker tale of abuse and death.

For years, The Turn of the Screw has been hailed for its complicated explorations of mental instability and sexuality. Academics have argued about whether the ghosts exist or are part of the governess’ fractured psyche, whether these spirits are actually child molesters, and whether the governess’ complicated relationship with the young Miles is actually an allegory for her own sexual repression. It’s… a lot. So get ready to unpack all of that during a weekend-long Netflix binge!

Is the cast from Season 1 of The Haunting of Hill House returning for Season 2?

Even though the Crain family isn’t coming back, Flanagan is known for casting the same actors in his projects. It’s certainly possible we may see a familiar face, albeit in a new role.

When does The Haunting Season 2 premiere?

It’s time to start the waiting game. This new season won’t come out until sometime in 2020. (Update: it came out on October 9, 2020).

Watch The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix