Why Netflix’s Sirens Only Has 5 Episodes – Are More Coming?

Netflix’s Sirens, a dark comedy limited series that premiered on May 22, 2025, has taken the streaming world by storm, claiming the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s English TV list with 16.7 million views in its first four days. Starring Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, and Kevin Bacon, the series unfolds over a single Labor Day weekend at a lavish New England beach estate, blending satire, mystery, and Greek mythology-inspired drama. Adapted from Molly Smith Metzler’s 2011 play Elemeno Pea and executive-produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap, Sirens has earned a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its stellar performances and addictive pacing. Yet, its five-episode run has left fans reeling, with many taking to social media to demand more. Why does Sirens only have five episodes, and will Netflix deliver additional episodes or a second season? This article explores the reasons behind the short season, the show’s narrative structure, and the prospects for its future, fueled by fan fervor and cast enthusiasm.

Why Only Five Episodes?

The decision to limit Sirens to five episodes stems from its origins as a contained story. The series is an adaptation of Metzler’s Elemeno Pea, a 90-minute play performed in a single act. Expanding this compact narrative into five hour-long episodes already represents a significant extension, introducing new characters like Peter Kell (Kevin Bacon) and Ethan Corbin III (Glenn Howerton) to flesh out the television format. The play’s tight structure, focused on a single weekend of escalating tension between two sisters and their wealthy hosts, lends itself to a concise series that avoids filler. Metzler and her team crafted a narrative that delivers a complete arc—beginning with Devon DeWitt’s (Meghann Fahy) arrival at the Kell estate and culminating in a shocking finale—without overstaying its welcome.

Netflix’s designation of Sirens as a limited series reflects this intentional brevity. Unlike ongoing series with open-ended arcs, limited series are designed to tell a self-contained story, often wrapping up in a single season. The five-episode format allows Sirens to maintain its intense pacing, with each episode packed with twists, from a compromising Vanity Fair photo to a near-fatal cliffside accident. This structure aligns with Netflix’s strategy for prestige miniseries, offering a bingeable experience ideal for a weekend watch, as evidenced by its description as a “cozy, rainy-day binge.” The compact episode count also accommodates the schedules of A-list stars like Moore and Bacon, whose availability can be a logistical challenge for longer seasons.

The production’s practical constraints further explain the episode count. Filmed in 2024 at locations like Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve and Lloyd Harbor, New York, Sirens relies heavily on a single setting—Cliff House, the Kells’ opulent estate. This contained setting reduces costs compared to VFX-heavy or multi-location series, but coordinating a star-studded cast and a high-profile crew, including director Nicole Kassell for the first two episodes, likely influenced the decision to keep the season short. The result is a polished, impactful series that maximizes its narrative and emotional weight within a limited runtime.

The Story and Its Conclusion

Sirens follows Devon DeWitt, a working-class woman from Buffalo, New York, who travels to the exclusive Port Haven island to reconnect with her younger sister, Simone (Milly Alcock). Simone is the live-in assistant to Michaela “Kiki” Kell (Julianne Moore), a charismatic socialite married to billionaire Peter Kell. Devon, grappling with her father’s early-onset dementia and her own personal struggles, suspects Michaela is manipulating Simone into a cult-like life of luxury. Over the course of the weekend, as Michaela prepares for her annual gala, secrets unravel: Peter’s hidden motives, Michaela’s controlling nature, and a web of betrayals involving neighbor Ethan and estate manager Jose (Felix Solis).

The finale, “Siren Song,” delivers a twisty resolution. After Michaela fires Simone for kissing Peter, Simone reveals Michaela’s blackmail plot, prompting Peter to end his marriage and install Simone as his new partner. Devon, realizing Simone has chosen wealth over family, returns to Buffalo with renewed self-respect to care for their father, Bruce (Bill Camp). A poignant ferry scene between Devon and Michaela underscores their mutual understanding as women misjudged by the world. The ending ties up the main arcs—Devon’s growth, Simone’s transformation, and Michaela’s downfall—while leaving subtle openings, such as Michaela’s uncertain future and Simone’s precarious new role.

This conclusion honors the source material’s focus on class, sisterhood, and power, modernizing the siren myth to question whether the women are villains or victims of a patriarchal system. The contained narrative satisfies as a standalone, yet the characters’ unresolved futures fuel speculation about further stories, particularly given the show’s mythological framing and open-ended final shot of Simone gazing at the ocean.

Are More Episodes or a Season 2 Coming?

As of June 3, 2025, Netflix has not announced additional episodes or a second season for Sirens. The series’ status as a limited series suggests it was intended to conclude after five episodes, with no immediate plans for a continuation. The story’s resolution, adapted from a play without a sequel, supports this, as extending the narrative risks diluting its impact. Some argue that a second season could feel contrived, especially given the natural closure of the sisters’ arcs and the risk of repeating familiar “eat-the-rich” tropes.

However, Sirens’ massive viewership and fan demand make a continuation plausible. Netflix has a history of renewing popular limited series, such as Beef and Nobody Wants This, when audience engagement and critical acclaim justify it. Sirens’ performance—dominating charts in the U.S. and globally—positions it as a candidate for renewal, though decisions often take weeks or months. The show’s relatively low production costs, centered on a single location, and its appeal as a star-driven drama further bolster its case.

The cast and crew are open to returning, though with cautious optimism. Meghann Fahy, who calls Devon one of her favorite roles, is curious about Michaela’s next steps and believes Devon returns to Buffalo transformed, suggesting potential for new stories. Milly Alcock, despite noting the challenge of linking a second season given the sisters’ emotional goodbye, is eager to explore Simone’s evolution. Showrunner Molly Smith Metzler, who has lived with these characters for 15 years, expresses deep affection for them, stating she could write them indefinitely but would only proceed if she could do them justice. Production designer John Paino echoes this sentiment, citing the rewarding experience of working on the series.

A second season could explore Simone’s life as Peter’s partner, potentially mirroring Michaela’s controlling tendencies, or Michaela’s reinvention after losing her wealth. Devon’s journey in Buffalo, possibly reconnecting with her ex, Raymond (Josh Segarra), or confronting new challenges, offers another avenue. Supporting characters like Ethan, recovering from his injuries, or the Kells’ staff could add depth. Alternatively, an anthology format or spin-off set in the same universe could preserve the show’s tone without forcing a direct continuation. The Greek mythology theme, with its focus on perspective and power, provides ample material for fresh narratives.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

Fans have taken to platforms like X to voice their frustration and excitement about the five-episode run. Posts describe the series as “good asf” but lament its brevity, with some calling the decision to limit it to five episodes “insane” and demanding more. Others praise the show’s ability to pack a punch in a short format, highlighting its blend of mystery, comedy, and elite satire. The cliffhanger ending, particularly Simone’s rise and Michaela’s fall, has sparked debates about the characters’ choices and whether the story needs continuation.

Sirens taps into a cultural fascination with wealth and power, offering a darkly funny lens on class disparity and female relationships. Its comparison to The White Lotus and Big Little Lies reflects its appeal as a soapy yet incisive drama, while its mythological undertones elevate it beyond typical coastal thrillers. The performances—Moore’s ethereal menace, Fahy’s raw vulnerability, and Alcock’s ambitious intensity—have been lauded, with critics noting the cast’s ability to ground the show’s operatic tone. The series’ 66/100 Metacritic score and glowing reviews, including a 5/5 from The Guardian, underscore its status as a critical and commercial hit.

What’s Next for Sirens?

The five-episode count of Sirens reflects its roots as a concise play and Netflix’s strategy for impactful limited series, delivering a complete story that resonates with audiences. While no additional episodes or a second season have been confirmed, the show’s viewership, fan enthusiasm, and the cast’s openness keep hope alive. A continuation would require a compelling story to avoid undermining the first season’s impact, possibly exploring new facets of the characters or the Sirens universe. For now, all five episodes are streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to binge and join the debate about its future. Will the sirens’ song lure Netflix back for more, or is this tale complete? Only time will tell, but the buzz around Sirens shows no signs of fading.