Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Tobi Baumann and Jan Martin Scharf, Netflix’s ‘Dudes,’ initially titled ‘Alphamännchen,’ is a German comedy series about four middle-aged friends with an old-school perspective on masculinity. When the modern world forces them to question their preconceived notions, all of the friends react in their own unique ways. While Ulf and Erik double down on their toxic behaviours, Cem and Andi begin to understand how they often unintentionally perpetuate a negative outlook on life. Season 1 of the show ends with the characters sitting down at their favourite cafe and reflecting on their mistakes. With their relationships falling apart, the friends realize that they must ditch their faulty mindsets and develop a healthier lifestyle. While Netflix has not confirmed a second season as of writing, in the best-case scenario, fans can expect it sometime around 2027.
Season 2 of Dudes Might Follow in the Footsteps of its Spanish Predecessor
The inaugural season of ‘Dudes’ ends with three of the four friends sinking deeper into their respective emotional quicksands. As such, a potential sequel is bound to return to the subject of their fractured social and romantic lives. Given that ‘Machos Alfa’ or ‘Alpha Males,’ the Spanish show that ‘Dudes’ is based on, has three seasons under its belt as of writing, there is already a creative trajectory at hand. It is likely that the next chapter in Ulf, Andi, Cem, and Erik’s lives will be one of reconciling with the more problematic thought systems that they have internalized. However, whether that transformation leads to healthier relationships depends entirely on how the characters handle things. Ulf is desperate to get his family back in one piece, and in case season two is greenlit, we might see him move beyond his platform, Manifest, and rekindle his relationship with Elif.
While Ulf has a clear-cut narrative path in sight, the case of his best friends ends on a much more ambiguous note. With Andi and Silke’s relationship nearly returning to its former glory, the former’s interest in an open marriage is bound to create a new wave of troubles. Erik is on a similar wavelength, as his infidelity has just been discovered by Kim, not only breaking their open marriage contract, but also her trust. As the possibility of her leaving for Munich is always on the table, he has to rush to make amends before it’s too late. Cem, who ends season one with a happy relationship, has secrets of his own. His partner, Vanessa, is yet to know that he is best friends with her professional rival, Ulf, and that revelation might cause this romantic pair to fall apart as well. The thematic undercurrent between all of these plotlines is that of the friends becoming more conscious of their patriarchal mindset and how that harms not just the people in their lives but also them.
Not Many Changes Are Expected in the Cast of a Potential Season 2
The narrative of ‘Dudes’ is heavily reliant on both the actors and the characters’ innate chemistry, with each person playing their part in creating a comic, richly detailed take on masculinity. As such, if season two gets greenlit, it is likely that most of the cast will be making a return, with Tom Beck, Yerman Gur, David Rott, and Moritz Führmann reprising their roles as Ulf, Cem, Erik, and Andi, respectively. The same can be said for actors Marleen Lohse, Mona Pirzad, and Franzisca Machens, who essay the roles of Kim, Elif, and Silke, respectively. The cast has expressed numerous times that their bond in real life mimics what they portray on screen, and as such, their work in a follow-up season will only enhance the show’s communicative prowess.
Alongside the four best friends and their respective partners, a number of supporting characters add to the narrative, with Valentina Leone stepping into the role of Alina, Cem’s daughter. As the driving force behind her father’s romantic pursuits, the chances of her returning to the show are extremely high. The same, however, cannot be said about actors Sabine Vitua, Neshe Demir, and Stephanie Kämmer, as their contributions to the story as Corinna, Frau, and Loanne wrap up within the bounds of the first season. Manuel Mairhofer, who enters the story as Schorcsch, a key player in Silke’s arc, is also less likely to return for a potential sequel given the limited nature of his role. However, one can expect a number of fresh faces joining the cast to support the core plot of ‘Dudes.’
Season 2 of Dudes is Likely to Explore Toxic Masculinity More Thoroughly
The first season ends with Ulf kickstarting an alpha male platform, before realizing that his actions only end up costing him his family. To that end, he makes an uncharacteristic gesture of love, expressing to his friends how much they mean to him. A potential second season will likely step deeper into that territory, utilizing Ulf and Erik as its primary lenses into how men sometimes conceal their emotions while catering to conventional notions of gender. In Erik’s case, he has yet to acknowledge the double standards he sets up by cheating on his Kim, but having a problem with polyamory. For Cem, the season progresses, and he gathers enough confidence to lead a life of honesty, and his relationship with Vanessa amplifies that. However, the fundamental set of lies that drives the dynamic forward might come to bite him, and the psychotherapist has to prepare for that in advance.
Andi and Silke’s complex married life brings forth an arc where both characters need to work equally hard on their respective flaws. While Andi explores his own sexuality even further, Silke’s story might continue her teasing with notions of transparency in marriage. For Elif, who has started a fresh career as a social media personality, balancing her work with family remains a challenge, and a potential second season might see her prioritizing one over the other. Vanessa, who is en route to establishing herself as a publishing powerhouse, might enter into a sincere relationship with Cem, which would mean developing a positive bond with Ulf. Kim has some of the most dynamic twists and turns within the story, and whether she breaks things off with Erik and pursues her career ambitions in Munich will likely alter the close-knit character dynamics forever.
Read More: Is Chad Powers a True Story? Is Russ Holliday Based on a Real Football Player?
You must be logged in to post a comment.