Are you ready for more twisted tales of Nurse Ratched? The Netflix show that reimagines the origin story of the infamous villain from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is coming back for a second season. Here’s everything we know so far about Ratched season 2.
What is the Ending of Ratched?
The first season of Ratched ends with a shocking cliffhanger that sets up the stage for season 2. Mildred Ratched has escaped the hospital with her girlfriend Gwendolyn Briggs (Cynthia Nixon) and her brother Edmund Tolleson (Finn Wittrock), a notorious serial killer. They head to Mexico, where they plan to start a new life. However, things go wrong when Edmund finds out that Mildred betrayed him and tried to have him executed. He vows to kill her and everyone she loves. Meanwhile, Mildred receives a letter from her former colleague Dr. Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), who reveals that he is still alive after being decapitated by Edmund. He asks for her help to restore his identity and his career.
Will there be a Ratched Season 2?

Yes, there will be a Ratched season 2. Netflix confirmed the renewal of the show on September 20, 2020, just two days after the first season debuted. The show’s official Twitter account posted a video of an empty hospital corridor with the caption “It’s not like Nurse Ratched is going to just disappear”.
Is Ratched coming back in 2023?
Ratched is coming back for a second season. But, Ratched season 2 has no release date and is unlikely to be released in 2023. Netflix ordered two seasons of the show back in 2017, before the first season even aired. The second season is expected to have ten episodes, two more than the first season.
How Many Seasons And Episodes Does Ratched Have?
So far, Ratched has only one season of eight episodes that premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2020. Netflix announced that the show would have two seasons with 18 episodes in total. However, What’s On Netflix reported that the show got an additional episode, bringing the total number of episodes to 19 for the series.
Ryan Murphy, the mastermind behind American Horror Story, Glee, and The Politician, created the show. It stars Sarah Paulson as Mildred Ratched, a nurse who arrives at a psychiatric hospital in California in 1947 and reveals her dark side.
Ratched Season 2 Release Date: Speculation!

Netflix has not announced an official release date for Ratched season 2 yet, but we can speculate based on some clues. The first season of Ratched was filmed between February and July 2019 and released on September 18, 2020. That means it took about 14 months from the start of production to the premiere date. If we assume that the second season will follow a similar timeline, we can expect it to arrive sometime in late 2023 or early 2024.
However, there are some factors that could delay or speed up the production of Ratched season 2. One of them is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected many film and TV projects around the world. Another one is Ryan Murphy‘s busy schedule, as he has several other shows in development for Netflix, such as The Watcher and Monster.
Ratched Season 2 Plot: What’s next?
If you thought season 1 of Ratched was a wild ride, you haven’t seen anything yet. The Netflix show, created by Ryan Murphy, is a twisted prequel to the classic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, starring Sarah Paulson as the infamous Nurse Mildred Ratched. Season 1 ended with a shocking cliffhanger that left us wondering what will happen next to the characters we love and hate. Here are some of the burning questions that season 2 will hopefully answer.
Who kills Nurse Ratched?
In the final episode of season 1, we saw Nurse Ratched’s brother Edmund Tolleson (Finn Wittrock) escape from prison and vow to kill his sister for betraying him. He also revealed that he knows where she is hiding with her girlfriend Gwendolyn Briggs (Cynthia Nixon) in Mexico. Will Edmund succeed in his murderous mission? Or will someone else get to Nurse Ratched first? Maybe her former boss Dr. Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), who survived being decapitated by Edmund and is now seeking revenge? Or perhaps her rival nurse Betsy Bucket (Judy Davis), who discovered her true identity and motives?
Was Ratched a villain?

One of the most intriguing aspects of the show is how it portrays Nurse Ratched as a complex and sympathetic character, rather than a pure evil villain. We learned about her traumatic childhood, her abusive foster parents, and her struggle to find love and acceptance. We also saw her show compassion and kindness to some of her patients, such as Charlotte Wells (Sophie Okonedo) and Huck Finnigan (Charlie Carver). But we also witnessed her commit horrific acts of violence and manipulation, such as lobotomizing Dr. Hanover, poisoning Father Andrews (Hunter Parrish), and framing Nurse Bucket. So, is Nurse Ratched a hero or a villain? Or something in between?
Who is Nurse Ratched’s girlfriend?
One of the most surprising and heartwarming developments of season 1 was the romance between Nurse Ratched and Gwendolyn Briggs, a campaign manager for Governor Wilburn (Vincent D’Onofrio). The two women bonded over their shared experiences of being oppressed and marginalized by society, and eventually fell in love. They decided to run away together to Mexico, where they could live freely and happily. But their relationship is not without challenges. Gwendolyn is suffering from terminal breast cancer, and Nurse Ratched is hiding her dark secrets from her. Will they be able to overcome these obstacles and stay together? Or will their love story end in tragedy?
Ratched Season 2 Cast: Who’s in it?

The cast of Ratched season 2 has not been officially announced yet, but we can expect most of the main actors from season 1 to return, unless their characters died or left the show. Here are some of the actors who are likely to reprise their roles:
- Sarah Paulson as Nurse Mildred Ratched
- Finn Wittrock as Edmund Tolleson
- Cynthia Nixon as Gwendolyn Briggs
- Judy Davis as Nurse Betsy Bucket
- Jon Jon Briones as Dr. Richard Hanover
- Sophie Okonedo as Charlotte Wells
- Charlie Carver as Huck Finnigan
- Sharon Stone as Lenore Osgood
- Vincent D’Onofrio as Governor George Wilburn
We might also see some new faces joining the cast, as Ryan Murphy likes to work with different actors for his projects. Some of the actors who have collaborated with him before include Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Darren Criss, Matt Bomer, and Billy Porter.
Where can I watch Ratched?
Ratched is a Netflix original series, which means you can only watch it on Netflix. You need a subscription to access the streaming service, which costs $8.99 per month for the basic plan, $13.99 per month for the standard plan, and $17.99 per month for the premium plan. You can also sign up for a free trial if you are a new user.
Ratched Season 2 Trailer: Is there a teaser?
There is no trailer or teaser for Ratched season 2 yet, as the show has not started filming or even gone into pre-production. The first season was released on September 18th, 2020, so we might have to wait until late 2023 or early 2024.
Similar Shows Like Ratched
If you’re looking for something to fill the void left by Ratched, you might want to check out some of these similar shows:
- American Horror Story: Another Ryan Murphy creation, this anthology series features Sarah Paulson and other Ratched cast members in different horror stories every season. Some seasons are connected to each other, and some are connected to Ratched as well.
- The Sinner: This crime drama follows a detective who investigates why ordinary people commit violent crimes. Each season focuses on a different case, with different actors playing the suspects and victims.
- Mindhunter: This thriller series is based on the true story of how the FBI developed the science of profiling serial killers. It follows two agents who interview notorious murderers and try to understand their motives and methods.
- The Haunting of Hill House: This horror series is based on the classic novel by Shirley Jackson. It tells the story of a family who lived in a haunted mansion as children and how they deal with the trauma as adults.