MGM+ Has Renewed The Institute for a Second Season

MGM+ will be returning to The Institute as they have renewed that series for a second season. According to Deadline, the show had the best premiere ever for an MGM+ original, though I have not seen any numbers because Nielsen does not track service. This one does have some pedigree behind it because it is based on a Stephen King story and Lost/From veteran Jack Bender is onboard as executive producer. Bender and series creator Benjamin Cavell had the following to say about the renewal:

We’ve been so gratified by the response to our first season, which is a testament to the dedication of our fantastic cast and crew. We’re thrilled that Michael Wright and everyone at MGM have enabled us to continue Stephen’s powerful and timely story. From this project’s inception, we’ve felt there would be much more story to tell as our brilliant characters continue to navigate their way through the dangers of the world they’re facing.

Stephen King had the following to say about the upcoming season (potential spoiler alert): “Set free but hunted, new dangers await the escapees from the Institute and I can’t wait”.

The season finale will air this Sunday on MGM+ at 9 PM EST and will also be available for streaming. The first episode of the show is currently available to watch for free on Roku TV. Expect the second season to arrive mid-to-late 2026.

This announcement counts back to the 2024-25 season, and it brings the Cancellation/Renewal Score to 31 renewed sci fi and fantasy entries (48% of shows tracked) vs. 18 cancelled and ending (28%). You can see the breakdown of the numbers and the full list of shows for the current and prior seasons on our Cancellation Watch Page.

The Institute follows a brilliant 14-year-old named Luke Ellis who is kidnapped and wakes up at a secret facility filled with children possessing psychic abilities and where sinister experiments are disguised as noble intentions. Meanwhile, ex-cop Tim Jamieson, starting over in a nearby Maine town, becomes entangled in the chilling mystery surrounding the Institute’s dark operations.

The 2024-25 season wrapped up in July, but there are still several shows awaiting word on their fates. Be sure to stay tuned to CancelledSciFi.com and our social media sites for updates and breaking news.

Keep up with the status of all the current sci fi and fantasy shows as well as news and updates on new and upcoming shows at CancelledSciFi.com.

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