The phenomenon that is Kingdom hit our tv screens on January 25th 2019 and what a treat for the eyes it was.
The South Korean show beautifully weaved period drama with epic battle scenes, zombies and a royal power struggle leaving us holding our breath right to the very last second.
The response to the show was huge with writer Kim Eun-hee saying that she had started working on the idea as far back as 2011. Initially, she produced a graphic novel which was then turned into the Netflix show.
Costing $1.8m per episode, Kingdom was so successful that season two was quickly commissioned. The cast attended their first script reading on February 8th and filming officially began on February 12th 2019.
Kingdom Season 2 then hit our screens in March 2020. Again, it was another mega hit for Netflix. Within a year a special feature-length episode of the series, titled Ashin of the North, was released.
This bonus episode of Ashin acts as a sidequel to the second season of Kingdom. It explores the backstory of Ashin, the mysterious character Lee Chang's group encountered on their journey north to discover the origins of the infected.
Kingdom Official Trailer
Kingdom Season 3 Cancelled Or Renewed?
Despite the incredible success of the show, Netflix has not actually confirmed whether or not they plan to renew the series.
What we do know however, is that a second special episode on the Crown Prince Lee Chang is reported to be in the works and scheduled for release in 2023.
Will we see Ju Ji-Hoon back as the Prince? I've scoured the internet to confirm the show and the cast but everybody is staying very quiet.
The general consensus around Kingdom Season 3 and why we haven't see it yet is thought to have been caused, by coronavirus. And not for the reasons you think.
Sure, there would be delays with production but overall, it's tricky to create a series about a deadly plague during a pandemic.
The good news though is that Director Kim Seong-hun clearly anticipates Kingdom season 3.
He told The STAR: “So through Kingdom Seasons 1 and 2, topics like thirst for power, hunger, bloodlines were covered.
“And in order to leap to Season 3, I thought something new was needed.
“Ashin of North, the special episode, goes back to the entire reason of why these themes occur.
“Through new characters and new situations, new conflicts arise, and I think that is what motivates us to go to the next season and that’s why I said it was like a stepping stone.”
If you haven't already watched Kingdom On Netflix (review here) then you are missing a treat!