BEEF Season 2 – Review | Netflix Anthology Series

BEEF Season 2 on Netflix is bringing more grudges to the forefront in this anthology series. The eight new episodes feature a completely new cast and a separate storyline. I wasn’t as happy with this as the first time around, but that has a lot to do with the darker tone. Not dark comedy, which season 1 had in spades, but just a sadder vibe. Read our full Beef S2 review here!

BEEF Season 2 is out on Netflix, and this is one of those anthology series that I was really looking forward to seeing more of. And yes, I was entertained and am pleased enough with this second season. However, as you can probably gather from my “pleased enough” descriptor of the new season, I am far from being decidedly happy with it.

DO CHECK OUT…

Our season 1 review of Beef, which hit much harder and stronger for me >

The series is still a dark comedy and psychological drama genre-mix series. However, it doesn’t utilize the dark comedy edge nearly as much this time around. This is a real shame. Not least because the actors in this cast can easily handle more comedy than what these new episodes offer. I watched all 8 episodes for this review, so I enjoyed it enough to finish it. But I’d rather rewatch season 1 than 2.

Continue reading our Beef S2 review below. Find the new season on Netflix from April 16, 2026.

Gen Z vs Millennials?

In Beef season 2, the events that will lay the groundwork for new beef (or grudges, if you will) start with a fight. A Gen-Z couple witnesses a rather intense fight between their Millennial boss and his wife. They end up recording a video of this fight, which does have a violent streak, but looks much worse than it is. And the “look” of it is something that can be used against the Millennial couple.

Two of the main characters in season 2 of Beef are the newly-engaged couple, Ashley Miller (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin Davis (Charles Melton), who both work at a country club. They are at a lower level of staff, but dream of both their upcoming wedding and starting a family. Both things that cost a pretty penny, which seems tricky (to say the least) with their current income.

Then we have the two other main characters, Joshua Martín (Oscar Isaac), and his wife, Lindsay Crane-Martín (Carey Mulligan). He is the General Manager at the country club and always walks the fine line between being a friend and employee of the wealthy members at the club. She is struggling to help him while also dreaming of their own project: A B&B combined with their love of music and concerts.

So far, so good.

However, we already have twice as many main characters as in season 1, and there are more. Sure, the remaining are not main characters, but they do play big parts in the escalation of events. Mostly, the new billionaire owner of the country club, Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh Jung). Her story also evolves as she struggles to hide a scandal involving her current husband, Doctor Kim (Song Kang Ho).

Second verse, not the same as the first

With season 2 of Beef, we’re getting a brand new story, but we’re also getting a somewhat different vibe. And not in ways I was expecting – or wanted, for that matter. I recognize that season 2 of an anthology will always offer something new and different. It’s the core concept of an anthology series. However, they do tend to also have a lot in common. Not least in terms of the aforementioned vibe.

The new cast is truly amazing, but the overall vibe of the story in the eight new episodes just did not resonate with me as much. The concept and plot escalation of season 1 were much more powerful. Also, the comedy was a key element during the first season of this series.

Where season 1 was in essence a simple “road rage” issue that escalated in extreme ways, season 2 has some elements that kick off the events, but nothing like the first time around. Or, well, it could have been, but the story focuses on too many characters and too many side plots for it to truly focus on the whole issue of “having beef” with someone.

Watch season 2 of Beef on Netflix

The creator of Beef, Lee Sung Jin, is the showrunner on this second season, which he also executive produces. This is alongside the stars of season 1, Steven Yeun & Ali Wong, and most of the stars of season 2, including Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. I love that the stars of this anthology series are also on board as producers!

As much as season 2 was something I wanted to finish, part of me was hoping for something that never came. I loved the four new main cast members, and their characters were also good. I mean, we’re talking the Oscar-nominated Carey Mulligan (Saltburn), Emmy-nominated Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein), and fresh, but proven talent, in Cailee Spaeny (Alien: Romulus) and Charles Melton.

In fact, there’s even an Academy Award-winner in a key supporting role with Youn Yuh-jung (she won for Minari). However, I almost wish they had been two separate seasons of this anthology series. Combining their issues with even more side plots just didn’t elevate anything. In fact, it made their beef seem secondary as other issues arose.

Making a second season of anything popular, not least in the anthology format, is always a huge undertaking. I’m sorry to say I was disappointed with this, but that has more to do with how brilliant season 1 was than what season 2 delivers. As such, it’s a definite recommendation to watch this new season. Just don’t expect it to follow the vibe or dark comedy of the first season.

Something I do feel would be a fair expectation. It also explains my disappointment in it not delivering on that specifically.

BEEF Season 2 is out on Netflix from April 16, 2026.

Details

Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer: Lee Sung Jin
Directors: Lee Sung Jin (202-204, 207), Jake Schreier (201, 208), Kitao Sakurai (205, 206)
Writers: Lee Sung Jin (all episodes), Anna Moench (202, 203, 206, 208), Gene Hong (203), Madeleine Pron (204), Ethan Kuperberg (205), Alex Russell (206), Niko Gutierrez-Kovner (207), Carrie Kemper (207)
Cast: Oscar Isaac (Josh), Carey Mulligan (Lindsay), Charles Melton (Austin), Cailee Spaeny (Ashley), Seoyeon Jang (Eunice)
Recurring Cast: Youn Yuh-jung (Chairwoman Park), Song Kang-Ho (Dr. Kim), William Fichtner (Troy), Mikaela Hoover (Ava), BM (Woosh)

Courtesy of Netflix © 2026