If Renewed, 'Dirty John' Season 3 Would Focus on "Love Gone Wrong"
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Dirty John Season 2.
The ripped-from-the-headlines drama portrayed in Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story has captivated audiences for the past few weeks, particularly because of Amanda Peet's searing performance in the leading, titular role of a scorned woman who turns to murder for revenge. But despite the addictive nature of the chilling true-crime series, there has been little news about its future. Of course, that's not stopping us from hunting down a few details. Ahead, everything we know so far about a potential Dirty John Season 3.
Dirty John hasn't been renewed for a third season yet.
Right now, it's unclear as to whether Dirty John will be back for a third chapter, even though reviews for the show's second season, starring Peet opposite Christian Slater, have been strong. According to Paste, "The success of this USA series … hinges on Peet's fantastic portrayal." RogerEbert.com echoed that sentiment, writing, "There is not a moment wasted, not a single line or non-verbal reaction not fully explored for all its potential."
Anyone who's had the pleasure of watching Season 2 in its entirety will be well aware that it's a showcase of Peet's commanding screen presence, a demonstration of her impressive acting chops, which have not always been utilized to their full extent. Though it seems all the critical acclaim might lead to Peet being recognized come awards season, there's just no telling if that will be enough to secure Dirty John a third season.
Ratings for Dirty John Season 2 have been low.
One indicator that might suggest bad news for Dirty John? Ratings. According to Variety, the ratings for the second season have been much lower than those of the original true-life installment, starring Connie Britton as Debra Newell, an interior designer at the mercy of a pathological liar named John Meehan. When the Season 1 finale aired on Bravo in January 2019, it drew 3.3 million viewers, the outlet reported at the time. In contrast, Season 2, which moved from Bravo to USA and will air its finale tonight, has averaged around just 750,000 viewers per episode.
That said, a binge-worthy show like Dirty John could secure much more loyal and enthusiastic viewership if it were available on a streaming service. So perhaps it will find its audience online in the coming months should that happen.
Season 3 would tell its own story.
Just as Seasons 1 and 2 of Dirty John featured very different true-crime stories, Season 3 would most likely do the same. Despite the divergence, however, there is a through line uniting the installments of the series. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the show's creator, Alexandra Cunningham, revealed that the Dirty John brand focuses on stories about "love gone wrong." She explained to the outlet, "We can all relate to wanting to be loved, wanting to trust, and wanting not to believe that the person that you love and trust could be your worst enemy."
As for which real-life story Dirty John Season 3 might cover, watch this space for updates.
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