No, there likely won't be a second season of Baby Reindeer (Why that's a good thing)

Baby Reindeer has taken Netflix by storm, increasing in viewership week over week and remaining in the No. 1 spot on the Top 10 shows. Surely, the streamer will renew it for another season, right? No, absolutely not. At least, I'm hoping the answer is absolutely not! The British dark dramedy is an incredibly unflinching and emotional look at experiencing trauma and the human experience, but it's perfect as is. Continuing it would be to ruin a good thing.

Since premiering on April 11, Baby Reindeer has only become more popular, with word of mouth seemingly playing a big role. Despite other shows like Dead Boy Detectives and new episodes of The Circle debuting since, nothing is getting past Baby Reindeer's rule. In the week of April 22 to April 28, the seven-episode series saw 22,000,000 views and 87,400,000 hours watched, an impressive feat for a show that seemingly came out of nowhere.

No, we don't need a Baby Reindeer season 2

But of course, Baby Reindeer didn't actually come out of nowhere. It's based on creator and star Richard Gadd's life, and the story started as a one-man show he performed in London. Netflix bills the show as a limited series, and we can assume this is what Gadd wanted. Not only did Gadd create the series based on his life, but he also wrote every single episode. Considering his story with Martha ends at the end of the season, there would be no point coming back with another installment. Despite how much success it's bringing Netflix.

Gadd has not spoken out on the possibility of Baby Reindeer getting another season, but that's likely because it's pretty obvious it won't. Though the show ends on a curious note with Donny getting a free drink from a bartender — just as Martha did from Donny when they first met — it's not a cliffhanger teasing what's next. Donny's voiceover in the finale confirms he never sees Martha again, and through Gadd's promotion of the show, it's evident the real-life woman is no longer stalking him.

Understandably so, it was painful for Gadd to relive some of the most traumatic parts of his life on screen. While speaking with Variety, the 34-year-old writer said the experience of creating the show was "tough," elaborating:

"I mean, who in their right mind wants to revisit the worst thing that ever happened to them? The worst period of their life? Of course, it affects you and leaves a bit of an imprint on you. But at the same time, I do sometimes feel that revisiting pain and re-experiencing things can lead to a better understanding of them."

Richard Gadd

During an interview with Glamour, Martha actress Jessica Gunning was asked about the show's "legacy," to which she shared she just wants "people to be moved by the story of it." Through interviews by the two stars given after Baby Reindeer's release, it seems the general consensus is that the show is done with. Though shows considered limited series have returned for more seasons before, even on Netflix, that doesn't mean the same will happen for this one. There's just no reason.

Gadd is focused on one very particular time in his life with Baby Reindeer, and it wouldn't make sense to continue to follow what happens next for him when this chapter is over. Apart from his work on Baby Reindeer, Gadd has written on shows like Sex Education, The Last Leg, and Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier, and has also acted in shows such as Against the Law. And don't worry, he'll continue working on TV, with GQ reporting that his next show is called Lions which will air on the BBC.

Because Baby Reindeer is seeing so much success, I wouldn't be surprised if Netflix asks Gadd if he has more material for a second season, because that's just the nature of the entertainment industry. If a movie or a show performs well and brings in money, the studios are going to want more. But it just wouldn't be right in this instance.

Baby Reindeer is a fantastic, complete story, and its impact could be lost if it continued just for the sake of views.