Mike Flanagan reveals the real reason Carrie’s fate was changed as he talks about season 2

The ending of Mike Flanagan’s Prime Video show Carrie changes a lot from Stephen King’s original story, including the protagonist’s fate, and it could actually mean there’s more to come – so is season 2 happening?

The eight-part horror series reimagines King’s 1974 novel, following Carrie White, a bullied teenager who discovers she has telekinetic powers. Things take a seriously dark turn when a cruel prom prank leaves her humiliated, leading to a devastating night in Chamberlain.

However, Flanagan makes some major changes to the original ending. Unlike in King’s novel, the adaptation sees Carrie survive the events of prom night. Her mother, Margaret, also survives the initial destruction but is later killed by Adelaide, who is connected to a mysterious group investigating people with supernatural abilities.

The finale also reveals that Emaline can astrally project and has been appearing to Carrie through her projections. The pair leave Chamberlain together, with their destination unknown.

So, why did Mike Flanagan change the ending?

Flanagan has explained that he wanted the finale to work as a proper ending in its own right, while also leaving room for the story to continue.

Speaking to Inverse, he said, “We had to end this so that if the last frame of video in episode 8 is the last time we ever see this version of Carrie, that had to be right, that had to work.”

“But always with this, because we knew she was going to survive the story very early, it was like, well, what could this mean moving forward?” he explained.

He added, “If this is the end of Summer H. Howell’s tenure as Carrie White, I wanted to send her off into the world we thought she deserved.”

Flanagan also suggested that the story could potentially span three seasons.

Has Carrie been renewed for season 2?

Not yet. Prime Video has not officially renewed Carrie for a second season. However, Flanagan has made it clear that he would be interested in continuing the story.

Speaking to PEOPLE, he explained, “We wanted very much to just try to focus on making it to that last frame of this season, in case it was a one-off season and we’d never return to this world again. We wanted to serve that arc and send the story off right.”

He added, “But it was very much on my mind that there was so much potential for it to expand further, and we wanted to leave room for that too.”

As for whether he’d like to return to the story, Flanagan said, “In a dream scenario, I think it’d be really cool [to continue the story]. I’ve never gotten to do that. And we certainly tried to leave the ingredients there for that to be the case.”

So, the possibility is definitely there, but the final decision rests with Amazon.

What has Summer H. Howell said about season 2?

Summer H. Howell says she’d “love to go back” for “Carrie” Season 2: “I hope we hear soon.”

📍 Newport Beach Film Festival pic.twitter.com/Te7IICLvHb

— Variety (@Variety) October 18, 2026

Howell, who plays Carrie White, is also keen to return. Speaking at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the actor acknowledged that the decision was up to Amazon and revealed that she’d heard some discussion about a possible second season.

“I don’t know. Ask Amazon,” she told Variety. “Oh, of course I [want to return]. Yeah, I would love to go back. I have heard things, but nothing’s confirmed yet, still. I hope we hear soon, I really do.”

If the series does return, Howell could reprise her role alongside Thalia Dudek as Emaline. Other potential returning cast members include Kate Siegel as Adelaide, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell and Josie Totah as Tina Blake. However, no season 2 cast has been confirmed.

What could happen in Carrie season 2?

The first season leaves several questions unanswered. For starters, Carrie and Emaline have left Chamberlain, and viewers don’t know where they’re heading or what their relationship will look like beyond the finale. Carrie has survived the events of prom night, but she still has a lot to work through after everything that happened.

The mysterious group investigating people with supernatural abilities could also become a bigger part of the story. Adelaide’s involvement in Margaret’s death raises questions about what the group wants and whether Carrie could become a target for further investigation.

Flanagan has also expressed hope that Carrie will rediscover the happier side of herself. He said, “If she has a future, I hope that she gets to return to her light self and find that part, the Carrie that wanted to go to school and experience things. I hope she finds that again.” 

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