Star Shares Excitingly Dark and Uplifting Update on Russian Doll Season 3

Summary

Natasha Lyonne's busy schedule makes the possibility of Russian Doll season 3 uncertain, as she focuses on directing her first feature film and her current show Poker Face.

Lyonne thinks that Russian Doll would have been more successful as a limited series. She believes that the second season stays true to the original concept and has the potential to explore further stories with timeless characters. Although the release of Russian Doll season 2 faced difficulties due to the competitive TV market, if a third installment is made, it could provide an audacious and intellectually stimulating continuation of the narrative.

Russian Doll star and co-creator Natasha Lyonne expresses a mix of optimism and morbidity when discussing the potential for Russian Doll season 3. Following the highly acclaimed first season, which garnered praise from both the audience and critics, Russian Doll season 2 premiered on Netflix in April 2022. Spanning seven episodes, the surreal comedy delved deeper into the family history of Nadia (Lyonne) and Alan (Charlie Barnett), while maintaining the uniquely peculiar twists that captivate viewers.

Similar to the first season, season 2 concluded in a manner that could serve as a definitive ending to the series, yet left room for a potential continuation of the Russian Doll story. However, the prospect of a sequel presents its challenges. Despite the positive reception of season 2 and the desire for more from fans, Natasha Lyonne leads a busy life with numerous commitments. Consequently, the arrival of Russian Doll season 3 on screens may be delayed.

Natasha Lyonne's Feelings On Russian Doll Season 3

When asked about the possibility of Russian Doll season 3 during an interview on THR's Awards Chatter podcast, Lyonne, the co-creator of the series, suggests that she is likely to reprising her role as Nadia in the future. However, she expresses her current focus on directing her first feature film and her ongoing Peacock murder mystery series, Poker Face, which has been renewed for a second season. Towards the end of her response, Lyonne humorously mentions that there may be more to come in the future, but acknowledges that it will take time due to the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry. Furthermore, she shares her belief that Russian Doll would have been better received as a limited series, as originally envisioned, and comments on how the second season aligns with the initial pitch, exploring the transformation of the main character into her mother.

I believe that the impact of COVID and the four-year split have made me appreciate portraying ageless characters. It wouldn't be a problem for Nadia to appear as a 60-year-old with typical New Yorkers' problems. While it may not be my immediate focus, I don't think I'll ever truly be finished with Russian Doll on a philosophical level. Life has its own path, as does death, my friend.

What Russian Doll Season 2 Says About The Show's Future

Russian Doll season 1 raised the bar with Lyonne's outstanding performance and remarkable support from Bartnett and Greta Lee. The debut season successfully blended emotional character development with a captivating mystery. However, in season 2, the show took daring creative risks that didn't always connect with viewers in the same way. Despite this, the performances remained consistently excellent, and each of the seven episodes had memorable moments. One contributing factor to the mixed reception was the crowded TV landscape during its release, with numerous dramas and comedies vying for attention, including the final season of Better Call Saul. As a result, the profound and thought-provoking nature of Russian Doll season 2 was not thoroughly explored.

If there is a future continuation of the Russian Doll series with the original cast, it would be ideal to have more room to appreciate what could be an audacious third chapter. Lyonne implies that she is not interested in creating more content just for the sake of it, especially considering her other goals. However, she directly states that Nadia will always hold a special place in her life. One challenge the series might face is accommodating Lyonne's new and highly popular show, Poker Face, on Peacock.

Poker Face, created by Rian Johnson, the writer-director of Knives Out, captivated viewers with its unique take on the murder mystery subgenre. The show has been renewed for a second season, further lowering the likelihood of a third season for Russian Doll. Nonetheless, Lyonne offers a possible solution, suggesting that the next chapter could be a movie. She mentions, "It would be really fun if it was one of those shows where, five years later, it’s like, 'No, wait a second! I think we’ve got another idea for a few episodes... 'Oh, wait, I think we’ve got an idea of our original movie now.'"