Netflix has decided not to renew Emily’s Wonder Lab for a second season.
Hosted by Emily Calandrelli, also known as The Space Gal, Emily’s Wonder Lab is an educational series aimed at children. It premiered globally on Netflix on August 25th, 2020. A former MIT engineer, Emily has transitioned into a career in television hosting, public speaking, and writing.
Season 1 consisted of 10 episodes, each lasting between 12 to 14 minutes. The series covered various topics, from utilizing air cannons for bowling and baking with solar-powered ovens to the intricate design of eggs and creating rainbow horse toothpaste. Each episode included experiments that viewers could try at home.
The series did not significantly impact Netflix’s top 10 lists, failing to appear in the top 10s in both the United States and the United Kingdom. However, it did find an audience in a few countries, including Finland, Qatar, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Live-action children’s content on Netflix often struggles to extend beyond one or two seasons. This genre is one of the few where Netflix has found it challenging to gain substantial traction.
Waffles + Mochie, starring former first lady Michelle Obama, is one series that may break this trend, though it is currently awaiting renewal. Other short-lived series in this genre include Julie’s Greenroom, The Who Was? Show, and Brainchild, each only lasting a single season on Netflix.
Petition to Save Emily’s Wonder Lab
A Change.org petition aims to revive Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix or another platform. Launched in early July 2021 by Samantha Furrer, the petition has amassed over 75,000 signatures as of July 7th.
Apart from Emily’s Wonder Lab, Emily Calandrelli can be seen in Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World (which ran for three seasons) where she regularly appeared as a field correspondent. Emily also hosted FOX’s Xploration Outer Space and has authored several books, including the forthcoming Reach for the Stars, illustrated by Honee Jang.
We have contacted Emily for her thoughts on the cancellation of her Netflix show and will provide an update here if we receive a response.
Would you have liked to see Emily’s Wonder Lab return for a second season on Netflix? Share your thoughts in the comments.