How did a 90% hit series fall to just 33% in its sequel?

From 90% to a mere 33%: How did a turbocharged thriller lose its fizz in just one sequel? Let’s fasten our seatbelts and revisit what sent “Hijack”—once Apple TV+’s most promising non-sci-fi original—on a turbulent descent few could have predicted.

Lightning in a Bottle: The Success of “Hijack” Season 1

Back in June 2023, Apple TV+ astonished audiences by showing it could produce more than just shiny science fiction. Enter “Hijack,” an edge-of-your-seat thriller reminiscent of the nail-biting tension served up by shows like “24.” The story unfolded in near real time, following the hijacking of a London-bound plane. The camera’s gaze darted between terrified passengers, skilled negotiators, ruthless terrorists, and anxious authorities on the ground.

• Idris Elba took center stage as Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator turned reluctant hero.
• The setting: confined aircraft. The stakes: sky-high (literally).

Though conceived as a mini-series, its originality—and let’s be honest, that 90% average Rotten Tomatoes score—proved simply too appealing to resist. The creative team, sensing a “rare bird” in the world of streaming, made the fateful decision to return for a second season.

The Sequel Sends Us Underground—But Without the Thrills

Season 2 landed two and a half years later, on January 14, 2026. The scene shifted to a Berlin metro, swapping wings for wheels but keeping the same framework: hostages trapped, authorities scrambling, and Elba’s Sam Nelson once more thrust into chaos. The synopsis promised that Nelson would once again be at the crisis’s heart, where one wrong move could spell disaster for hundreds.

The anticipation? High. The freshness? Well…

Despite a setup that mirrored the first season—with even a twist thrown in as early as episode 2—critics and audiences found themselves quickly losing patience. As of writing, the sequel’s Rotten Tomatoes average sits at a shocking 33%. Sure, it might inch up a tad, but initial reviews have not been kind. Some have called the concept tired; others mourn the lost ambition and spark that set Season 1 apart.

Critics Pile On: What Went Wrong?

Response to Season 2 has been blunt, to say the least:

• Pop Culture Maniacs offered no mercy, noting there’s “no good reason to watch the second season of Hijack” after having seen it all.
• CBR complained the show gave in to the easy way out, repeating almost the same formula as the original. But this time, the result is “terribly patchy and thematically meaningless.”
• Variety observed that Season 2 completely derails the franchise, regretting the lack of “spark and addictive edge” that made the first outing a must-watch.
• Première was quick to point out the “poor emotional impact and dull dialogue” making the show “tedious to follow. Redundant.”

Piling on the irony, Idris Elba himself reportedly hesitated before signing on for the follow-up—worried, sensibly enough, that the new season would pale in comparison to the original, especially given its limited intrinsic appeal. In hindsight, maybe he should have followed his gut instead of his agent’s enthusiastic voicemail.

Lesson Learned: When to Let a Hit Be a Hit

Reflecting on the rollercoaster (or should we say, metro sprint?) of “Hijack’s” journey, Elba recalled to People how much success Season 1 enjoyed and how beloved it was by viewers. Were they right to try for a repeat? “I wasn’t sure,” he admitted. “I loved this character, but sometimes, you just have to move on.” Still, curiosity and the temptation to see if magic could be bottled twice prevailed—a gamble that, judging by reviews, didn’t quite pay off.

So, what can showrunners and binge-watchers alike take from “Hijack’s” bumpy ride?

• If something feels complete, maybe let it stay that way.
• Lightning rarely strikes the same place twice—especially not in TV thrillers riding on a singular concept.
• And sometimes, the bravest choice is to let audiences remember a story for its perfect landing, not its turbulent return trip.

Let’s all agree: the next time a show wraps up in a satisfying way, maybe it’s best to refrain from asking, “So, what happens next?”—for everyone’s sake, including Idris Elba’s schedule.