Bad Boy Season 2: Has It Been Renewed? Latest Update, Release Window, and What to Expect
Bad Boy is getting a second sentence: HOT has renewed the Israeli prison drama from Ron Leshem after it surged into Netflix Top 10 lists in 45 countries following its TIFF 2023 debut.
Good news if you got hooked on Bad Boy: the Israeli prison drama is officially coming back for more.
Season 2 is a go
HOT, the Israeli network behind the show, has renewed Bad Boy for Season 2. The series comes from Ron Leshem, who co-created and co-wrote it, and first broke out at TIFF 2023 before airing at home in Israel. It didn't really go global until Netflix picked up the streaming rights, and then it blew up, landing in the Top 10 in 45 countries.
If you need a refresher, the show follows Dean Scheinman (played by Guy Manster), a sharp, quick-on-his-feet teen trying to survive inside a juvenile detention center. His sense of humor and stubborn optimism are basically his armor.
Season 2 will pick up right where Season 1 left off. That's not just PR fluff; Sipur CEO Emilio Schenker is calling it a direct continuation of the story that connected with viewers worldwide:
"This is further proof of the power of our local stories and their ability to cross borders and cultures... We are proud to continue our fruitful partnership with HOT and tell the next chapter in this extraordinary journey."
HOT's VP of Marketing and Content, Uri Gal, says to expect the same intensity that made the first season a word-of-mouth hit, promising a season that's "strong, exciting, and surprising."
Will Season 2 land on Netflix?
Unclear. Season 1 made its way to Netflix after its Israeli release and that's where the international audience found it, but there's no confirmation yet that Season 2 will stream there too. We'll see how the rights shake out.
Why this show keeps winning
Bad Boy was already big in Israel before Netflix got involved, and the industry notice matches the hype. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it scooped up seven Israeli Academy Awards for Television (basically the Emmys over there):
- Best Drama
- Best Writing
- Best Directing
- Best Sound Design & Editing
- Best Casting
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
Cast snapshot
Guy Manster leads as Dean Scheinman, and Bat-Chen Sabag is among the main cast as well.
Bottom line: if you were into the first run, Season 2 sounds like more of what worked, with the creative team sticking to the same track that made it a breakout. Season 1 is streaming on Netflix now.