Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Season 2 Is Already on Netflix Series Creator Derek Kolstad’s Mind: ‘There’s Any Number of Places We Could Go’

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Though it just launched, the creator of Netflix’s *Splinter Cell: Deathwatch*, Derek Kolstad, is already planning Season 2. The animated series, based on the popular *Splinter Cell* video game by Tom Clancy, began streaming on October 14th and brings a realistic spy thriller to the platform. The show, produced by Ubisoft Film & Television, features Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher, a secret agent leading a team of operatives at Fourth Echelon.

Derek Kolstad, who helped create the Netflix series Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, recently told Animation Scoop that although the show is designed to work as a complete story, the team is already brainstorming ideas for future seasons.

Kolstad pointed to original action movies like *Die Hard* and *John Wick* (which he also helped create) as examples of films that launched successful franchises while remaining strong stories on their own.

We often discuss how a single, self-contained movie like the first ‘Die Hard’ can be incredibly satisfying. The same goes for the original James Bond film, ‘Dr. No,’ and even ‘John Wick.’ A strong story with a clear beginning and end is great on its own. I’d be proud of just one film, and I think audiences would enjoy it. However, if there are enough compelling ideas to explore further, then building a franchise makes sense.

The writer and producer explained how he and Ubisoft developed the first season, making sure it would appeal to both longtime fans of *Splinter Cell* and people who were new to the series. He said they wanted to be welcoming, stating, “You don’t want to shut out anyone who’s just getting interested.”

We want to create a series that immediately grabs viewers, even if they’ve never seen anime or cartoons before. The goal is to make it so captivating that someone stumbling upon it will be instantly hooked within the first few minutes, regardless of their familiarity with the genre or the property itself.

Our main goal was to reach as many people as possible without alienating our existing fans or discouraging those who might be interested in checking us out.

He also pointed out that although the show has a complex storyline, its core is really about the relationships between the characters and how they develop, particularly the connection between Sam, McKenna, and Thunder.

The story itself moves forward, and it works, but what really matters are the characters. We want to see Sam and McKenna make it through, watch Thunder grow, and see the team overcome their differences and reunite.

Kolstad said he’s hoping the show gets renewed for another season, explaining that they have lots of ideas for where the story could go, but first they need to make sure the initial season is a success.

As the season wraps up, I’m hoping we’ve proven ourselves worthy of continuing. I’d love to keep working with this team for another year. It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for Thunder – maybe even revisit past decisions, like with McKenna. We have a lot of options, but it’s crucial to get the first one right.

Initial responses to *Deathwatch* have been mostly good, with many fans enjoying the exciting action and the way it references the original *Splinter Cell* games. The show seems to be giving viewers the mature, experienced Sam Fisher they’ve been wanting since *Blacklist* came out in 2013.

Okay, so the TV show is a fantastic revival – really breathes new life into the whole thing. But the movie? Forget about it. Producer Basil Iwanyk let slip last year to TopMob that the Tom Hardy version is completely off the table – it’s officially a no-go.

Will Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Season 2 Happen?

It’s still uncertain if *Splinter Cell: Deathwatch* will get a second season, but writer Derek Kolstad seems eager to continue telling Sam Fisher’s story as an animated series.

Like many Netflix shows, whether this one continues will probably depend on how many people watch it and how much they enjoy it in the first few weeks.

Matt Roller, the creator of *Haunted Hotel*, pointed out that Netflix is aware of its reputation for cancelling animated series after just one season. Hopefully, Netflix Animation will address this pattern in the future by being more willing to renew shows, which could give *Deathwatch* a better opportunity.

The *Splinter Cell* series hasn’t had a major game release since *Blacklist*. While there have been a few small updates, and a remake is currently in the works, fans haven’t seen much activity for a long time, leaving the future of the franchise uncertain.

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2025-10-14 18:35