Space Force Season 2 - What We Know So Far

Space, the final frontier. The place we sometimes dream of going even though there isn't really much in the way of gravity, oxygen, or an atmosphere of any kind really. In any other year, that might seem equal parts aspirational and weird, but for those of us who have spent the last calendar year in quarantine, it kind of feels like we're all collecting living in separate space habitats anyway.

And, given that, Space Force, the half-hour work sitcom about a military space organization, feels strangely appropriate. The series, which stars Steve Carell as the titular Space Force's head honcho General Mark R. Naird, dropped its first, 10-episode season back in May 2020. The show features an American organization repeatedly failing spectacularly to do even the most basic space-related tasks correctly. The struggles include Chinese interference, under-regulated private contracting, a dog being eaten by a monkey, and the threat of all-out war on the moon.

Unsurprisingly, the relatable and anxiety-validating Space Force is renewed for a second season, so let's talk about everything we know concerning the upcoming season 2 thus far.

Unfortunately, like so many shows looking to continue production, Space Force's wings are somewhat clipped due to ongoing pandemic restrictions. FilmLA's latest update as of this writing states that "FilmLA is currently accepting applications for permits to film on-location" while specifying that "on-location film production taking place at this time is subject to strict adherence to health and safety guidelines." Put simply: It's still very slow-going at this point.

Here's what we can say: Planning has been happening in some form or other since the show's first season debuted. Back in May 2020, Space Force co-creator Greg Daniels told Digital Spy in an interview that, "We have some writers already plotting out what we're going to do just so that we don't waste any time." Add to that the confirmation that season 2 is happening, which was announced in November 2020, and it's safe to say that a lot of pre-production on the sophomore season is well underway.

Long story short: If the Netflix series can gain approval for on-location filming, follow guidelines, and there isn't another explosive outbreak, production will certainly both begin and complete in 2021. Whether the second season of Space Force releases in 2021 is another story, but we're calling it unlikely at this point.

When it comes to casting, there's no news beyond the return of most of season 1's cast. The Naird clan will all be back bickering and conflicting with one another, meaning that we'll see more of Steve Carell, Lisa Kudrow, and Diana Silvers.

The same is true for the Space Force team, meaning that Ben Schwartz's goofy F. Tony Scarapiducci will be back as will the frustrated Dr. Adrian Mallory, played to perfection by John Malkovich. The same goes for Tawny Newsome playing Angela Ali, Jimmy O. Yang as Dr. Chan Kaifang, and the rest of the gang.

Of course, there wouldn't be a show without a suitable adversary, and Noah Emmerich will also return as Mark Naird's arch-nemesis General Kick Grabaston.

The only notable exception to the cast returning is Fred Willard, who played Mark's father Fred in season 1. Willard passed away on May 15, 2020, at the age of 86.

Despite the fact that enough people watched Space Force to merit a second season, the show itself doesn't exactly have the most glowing critical praise. With a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 38 percent, we know that producers are looking for change. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Parks and Recreation writer Norm Hiscock has been brought on to Space Force for a creative revamp.

And that's not the only noteworthy change. Consider that, in the real world, we've had a literal changing of the guard. Part of the reason a fictional Space Force exists is because former President Donald Trump created a real one back in 2019. Of course, here in 2021, the President of the United States is Joe Biden, thus likely changing the way Naird and company will interact with the rest of the U.S. government.

Granted, we don't yet know how Naird will find himself back in control of the Space Force yet. When last we left him, the space organization was under the control of General Kick Grabaston, whose choice to attack a Chinese base on the moon ended up being a major blunder. It turns out, the Chinese did the same thing to the U.S. base. With the astronauts in trouble and a threat of war looming, it'll be interesting to see how real-life politics and Naird's fictional life intersect.

Space Force's first season is available to watch on Netflix now.