Apple TV+’s star-studded series Palm Royale concluded its first season on May 8. After watching that explosive cliffhanger in the Season 1 finale, you might be wondering whether Palm Royale will be returning for a second season on Apple TV+.
The 10-episode series follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig), an ambitious woman who wants to be part of the most exclusive Palm Beach high society in 1969. Even though her husband is the heir to the Dellacorte fortune (Josh Lucas), Maxine finds it challenging to make friends with those at the top of the social ladder — especially Evelyn Rollins (Allison Janney) and Dinah Donahue (Leslie Bibb). Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy, and Kaia Gerber also make up the cast.
(Warning: Spoiler’s ahead for Palm Royale Episode 10.)
Tate Taylor, who directed the first episode, returned to helm the Season 1 finale. For most of the season, Maxine is planning an elaborate Beach Ball, which is finally executed in Episode 10, “Maxine Throws a Party.” Maxine and Evelyn cohost the party with Norma Dellacorte (Carol Burnett), who has secrets to unravel of her own.
The big-budget bash is somewhat of a success until the event turns into a nightmare. President Richard Nixon shows up, and he’s eager to meet the guest-of-honor astronaut (who is actually Maxine’s pool boy). But Mary (Julia Duffy) is ready to act on her plot to assassinate Nixon. Mary tried to shoot Nixon, but the gun was intercepted by Linda (Laura Dern), sending the bullet straight into Robert (Ricky Martin). It’s currently unknown if he survived the gunshot wound.
“The most authentic, decent person is the one who will always pay the biggest price when the violence comes,” showrunner Abe Sylvia told TheWrap. Sylvia wanted to deliver a cynical ending to “give the audience a really delicious cliffhanger to go out on that also broke their hearts.”
The crazy events in the Palm Royale Season 1 finale would make for an action-packed Season 2. But will the party stop here?
Will There Be A Palm Royale Season 2?
Apple TV+ has not announced whether Palm Royale will return for a second season. Although Season 2 hasn’t earned a renewal, Sylvia said he “can’t help [himself] but think about it.”
In a potential second season, the showrunner would explore questions like, “Who are we now in the wake of tragedy? How does a person define themselves after coming so close to danger and tragedy?” and, “In this country, who are we now? Are we forever changed? Are we just more ourselves?”
Kristen Wiig and Ricky Martin are also hopeful for a Season 2 renewal following the finale’s dramatic events.
“We’re hoping,” Wigg replied when Collider asked about the possibility of a Season 2. Martin echoed her sentiment, responding, “Hopefully, Apple TV+ is listening. We hope so,” he said. “The cliffhanger is amazing, isn’t it?”
In a separate interview with Decider, Martin further expressed his desire for another season of Palm Royale. “Regardless of what happens to my character, I think the audience needs to have another season because it’s so rich,” the actor explained. “The cliffhanger is insane and the idea that Kristen Wigg’s character can confront Leslie Bibb’s character eventually and Kaia Gerber’s character in all this, and the fact that Carol Burnett’s character is alive and kicking with the power of a matriarch is just amazing.”
It’s not uncommon for streaming services to wait until after the season finale to announce the fate of a new show, mainly so that they can analyze viewership numbers. Actress Leslie Bibb told Collider in April that she’s “heard rumblings” about a second season of Palm Royale. “There’s a writers’ room that’s open, and we’ll see. Apple doesn’t okay anything until they see numbers, but I’ve heard rumblings.”
Stay tuned to learn more about the future of Palm Royale on Apple TV+.
The first season of Palm Royale is streaming on Apple TV+. Watch the official trailer below.