What Neil Patrick Harris’ Loves About A Series Of Unfortunate Events Season 2

Olaf as a doctor in Season 2

In just a few years time, Netflix has become a hub for fantastic streaming content. As the service became more acclaimed and accepted in the TV world, it began trimming the fat and cancelling some of its less popular programming. One show that easily made the cut was Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, starring the always delightful Neil Patrick Harris and a bevy of fantastic guest stars. The new series was actually renewed through its third season, which will likely be the last. Season 2 just arrived on the streaming service, and NPH has one specific reason why he's excited for audiences to see the sophomore run: more action. As he told me at Netflix's press junket in New York,

What I like about Season 2 is there's more action, it's more action driven. The Baudelaire Kids have snapped out of this hazy, fog of the loss of parents. They have to realize it's time for them to take some action. So that journey begins in Season 2. Olaf, who is used to dancing and pontificating around these static children, actually has to follow them and chase them. And try and subdue them, while running. And with that comes a sort of heartbeat that would be necessary for a second season.

It looks like A Series of Unfortunate Events is going to up the stakes on Season 2, allowing for more adventurous storytelling. This change in dynamic what Neil Patrick Harris really likes about the new set of episodes, so we'll have to see if the fan reaction is the same.

Indeed, each new episode of the series is elevated and made more crazy, just as the Series of Unfortunate Events books did as well. The Netflix show is following the beloved novels fairly closely, so fans should probably know what's coming: the Baudelaire Kids finally have their wits about them, and they're not letting Count Olaf get the better of them without a fight.

Season 1 of Unfortunate Events took place directly after the "death" of their parents. Without much of a family or guardians to speak of, the three Baudelaire Kids are sent to live with Neil Patrick Harris' campy villain Count Olaf. While Olaf mistreats the kids, he also wishes to acquire their inheritance. This puts them in a game of cat and mouse, with the show's first season mostly treating the kids as the mice. But with the trio of siblings now privy to Olaf's villainy and plans, the can be much more dynamic characters in Season 2. Similarly, the audience will see Olaf largely stripped of his power, allowing for fun changes in status for the show's protagonists.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is currently streaming its first two seasons on Netflix. In the meantime, check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch. Plus our Amazon premiere list and superhero premiere list to ensure you don't miss a single episode.

Corey Chichizola
Movies Editor

Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Graduated with degrees theater and literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After working in administrative theater for a year in New York, he started as the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his favorite actors... just not as he would have predicted as a kid. He's particularly proud of covering horror franchises like Scream and Halloween, as well as movie musicals like West Side Story. Favorite interviews include Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more.