Netflix Renews ‘Special’ for Second Season, ‘You’ Receives California Tax Credit

Netflix’s comedy series “Special,” about a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, has been renewed for a second season. The short-form show, based on Ryan O’Connell’s memoir, is executive produced by Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.”

The first season, released in April, ran eight episodes 15 minutes in length and was nominated for four Emmys. O’Connell, who wrote all the episodes, says he would like to expand to a half-hour format in future. He also co-executive produces with Parsons.

Netflix has not released any details on season two.

The series, from Warner Horizon Scripted Television-Stage 13, is inspired by O’Connell’s “I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves.”

“Special” got an Emmy nomination in the short-form comedy-drama category, while O’Connell was nominated for actor in a short-form series. So were his costars Jessica Hecht and Punam Patel.

Separately, the Netflix drama “You,” which returns Dec. 26 for a second season, just got good news from California. A third season was awarded $7.213 million in tax credits, noted Deadline.

“You,” based on the bestselling novel by Caroline Kepnes, tells the story of a bookstore manager so obsessed with a customer, he stalks her via social media. It stars Penn Badgley and Elizabeth Lail. The show premiered in September on Netflix, which picked up the series from Lifetime.

Season two will air as a Netflix Originals, loosely based on the author’s book “Hidden Bodies.”

While the tax credit doesn’t ensure a season three, it makes the option far more financially viable. “You” is produced by Warner Horizon and Berlanti Productions, which applied for the tax credit, feeling confident about a future pickup.

The show is created and executive produced by Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble.