Since its debut in April 2023, the HBO Max limited series Love & Death has left an impression on viewers with its chilling portrayal of the Candy Montgomery case. Starring Elizabeth Olsen as the Texas housewife who infamously wielded an axe, the show wrapped its seven-episode first season on May 25, 2023. As of March 22, 2025, fans are eager for news about a potential second season. Here’s what we know so far about Love & Death Season 2, including details on its release date and cast.
Release Date: When Could Season 2 Arrive?
Max has yet to greenlight Love & Death Season 2, leaving its release date shrouded in uncertainty. Originally marketed as a limited series, the show concluded the Candy Montgomery saga in its first season, suggesting it was designed as a one-off. However, its massive viewership, announced on June 1, 2023, could sway Max to reconsider. If renewed, production timelines for high-budget dramas like this—typically 18-24 months from greenlight to premiere—point to a launch no earlier than late 2026 or early 2027. Season 1, for instance, was filmed from late 2021 to early 2022 after a May 2021 approval, hitting screens 18 months later. Without an announcement, though, fans are left waiting for Max to break the silence.
Cast
Returning Cast (Expected Based on Season 1 Survivors and Season 2 Setup):
- Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery
- Jesse Plemons as Allan Gore
- Patrick Fugit as Pat Montgomery
- Krysten Ritter as Sherry Cleckler
- Tom Pelphrey as Don Crowder
- Elizabeth Marvel as Jackie Ponder
Not Returning:
- Lily Rabe as Betty Gore (due to her character’s death in Season 1)
Table: Summary of Ratings and Viewership
| Category | Rating/Score |
| Critics’ Rating (Rotten Tomatoes) | 62% |
| Critics’ Average Rating (Rotten Tomatoes) | 6.5/10 |
| Metascore (Metacritic) | 62/100 |
| Audience Rating (IMDB) | 7.5/10 |
| User Score (Metacritic) | 6.4/10 |
| Viewership | Most-watched original limited series on Max globally |
Cast Reflections Hint at Season 2 Potential
While Love & Death was crafted as a limited series, the cast’s reflections from Season 1 interviews reveal a deep appreciation for the project that could spark interest in a second season if Max were to extend the offer. Elizabeth Olsen, who brought Candy Montgomery to life, spoke fondly of her collaboration with Jesse Plemons (Allan Gore) in a May 2023 Collider interview, noting, “It was a lot of trust between us” when discussing the intense murder scene (Collider). This bond suggests Olsen found the experience rewarding, and it’s easy to imagine her saying yes to another round if the right script came her way.
Olsen’s enthusiasm didn’t stop there. In an April 2023 Dallas Observer interview, she described the role as “a chance to do something different,” highlighting how much she relished the unique tone of the series. Clearly, she liked diving into Candy’s complex world, and with her track record of embracing challenging parts, it’s plausible she’d be tempted to revisit the character—or a new one in an anthology format—should the opportunity arise. Her enjoyment hints at a willingness to work on Love & Death again, especially if Season 2 offered another fresh twist.
Jesse Plemons, too, seemed captivated by the story’s pull. In an April 2023 Entertainment Weekly interview, he mused, “There’s something about this story that keeps pulling you in,” reflecting a personal connection to the narrative’s depth (Entertainment Weekly). His words suggest there’s more to explore, and as a Texan who felt at home in the show’s setting, Plemons might welcome a chance to dive back into Wylie’s unsettling suburbs. While neither actor has explicitly campaigned for a Season 2, their comments paint a picture of a cast who loved the ride—enough, perhaps, to hop back on if Max greenlights another chapter.
Latest Updates
As of March 24, 2025, there have been no official announcements about a second season. The show remains a single-season series, with no plans for continuation reported by entertainment news sources. IMDb (Love & Death (TV Mini Series 2023)and Wikipedia list it as a mini-series, and fan speculation on sites like TheReviewGeek has not materialized into concrete updates. The massive viewership success could still tip the scales, but for now, the silence persists.
What to Expect in Season 2
If Love & Death returns, its direction remains a mystery, but there are some possibilities on the table. An anthology approach could introduce a new true-crime tale, leaning on David E. Kelley’s knack for legal drama and Lesli Linka Glatter’s flair for character depth, perhaps another case of love gone wrong steeped in societal pressure. A continuation might follow Candy and Allan’s lives after 1980, though this would mean inventing details beyond the documented record. Season 1 nailed themes of repression and betrayal, so a new season could echo these in a fresh setting or shift to redemption and judgment. The creative team’s pedigree—Kelley’s Your Honor, Glatter’s Homeland—suggests they’d aim for something bold, whether sticking to the Montgomery orbit or branching out.
