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Wachowski Sisters' 'Sense8' Canceled By Netflix, But Some Want It Back

By Peter Jones | June 2, 2017 1:43pm
 Netflix's
Netflix's "Sense8" has been canceled, but some are petitioning to keep it around.
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Netflix

CHICAGO — Netflix announced its decision to cancel "Sense8" after two seasons Thursday, but many are petitioning to have the show renewed for a third season. 

The Netflix original science fiction series was co-created by Chicago natives Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who are known for "The Matrix" trilogy, "V for Vendetta" and "Cloud Atlas." Both seasons of "Sense8" were partially set and filmed in Chicago. 

“After 23 episodes, 16 cities and 13 countries, the story of the Sense8 cluster is coming to an end,” Cindy Holland, Netflix vice president for original content, said Thursday in a statement first released to TV Show Patrol.

In response, a Change.org petition launched Thursday asking Netflix to explain the cancellation and to create a third season of the series has received more than 240,000 signatures. 

"It is not just a TV show, to watch for fun, instead of just being that, Sense8 has given the world a new way of seeing others: with acceptance, love and understanding," the petition reads.

The show is known for its diverse cast, international settings, and inclusion of LGBTQ characters. Both the Wachowski sisters are transgender women.

"Sense8" is the second show filmed in Chicago to be canceled recently. NBC's show "Chicago Justice" was canceled last week.

Brian J. Smith, who plays a Chicago police officer in "Sense8," hinted at the show's cancellation earlier this week.

After the outpouring of support, Smith relented that funding might be the cause of the show not being renewed. 

The Wachowskis grew up in Chicago, attending elementary school in Beverly and graduating from Whitney Young High School. Their post-production and effects studio Kinowerks is located in Ravenswood. The sisters remain active in Chicago.

The ACLU of Illinois hosted a preview of Sense8's second season and a Q&A with Lana last month at the Music Box Theatre. Lily's art exhibit featuring 27 portraits of murdered transgender women opens Friday night at the Center on Halsted.

Illinois' film office worked with 345 television, commercial and film projects that generated 13,377 non-extra job hires during 2016, according to the Illinois Commerce Department. The $499 million in estimated Illinois spending generated by the state's film industry last year was a 51 percent increase from the previous year.