Netflix's Gay Comedy Series 'Special' to End with Bigger Second Season

Ryan O'Connell's gay comedy is coming to an end on Netflix, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which adds that the show will conclude with its second season.

Season 2 will also be a bit longer. O'Connell, who created and stars in the series that's based on his life, decided to nix Season 1's format of a 15-minute episode runtime. The sophomore run will have eight episodes with a traditional 30-minute runtime.

"People will be surprised that Special is ending but this is just the tip!" O'Connell told THR. "I'm not finished telling stories about disability. I'm not finished telling queer stories. This is really just a beginning of a new chapter, so hang tight, baby, I'm coming!"

Co-produced by Jim Parsons, "Special," about a young gay man with mild cerebral palsy navigating life, picked up for Emmy nominations for the shortform categories.

THR also reports that O'Connell said Netflix made the decision to have the show end with Season 2.

"The streamer traditionally measures its internal viewing metrics vs. the cost of doing additional seasons. (Netflix, like other streamers, does not disclose traditional viewership data.)," the outlet writes. It also adds, "season two will pickup two months after the freshman season took place with Ryan [O'Connel] dealing with a case of writer's block and still not speaking to his mother (Hecht). Season two will also lean further into Patel's Kim, who re-gains control of her finances and personal life."

Click here to read THR's interview with O'Connell.