Four years after season two’s release, substantial rumors began to circulate that Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation) is bringing his critically acclaimed Netflix series Master of None back for a long-awaited third season. UK-based comedy outlet Chortle reported that the series is coming back for new season set in London, but Netflix has yet to officially confirm this news.
Chortle asserts that season three production of Master of None had already begun in Spring 2020, but was halted by COVID-19 shutdowns. Though Ansari has yet to officially confirm these details, he hinted about third season in an interview with the Italian news outlet Spettacolo Italiano.
Season two of Ansari’s semi-autobiographical dramedy was partially set in Italy, lending further credence to Chortle’s claim. “There’s an international precedent for Master of None,” Looper said, while adding that Ansari currently lives in London with his girlfriend, physicist Serena Skov Campbell.
Ansari told Vulture, after Master of None went on indefinite hiatus in 2017, that “’I’ve got to become different guy before I write a third season.” The conclusion Looper draws from this is that “living in a different country with a new partner seems like exactly the kind of different life experience Ansari said he needed to have before starting on season 3.” In addition to moving to the UK, Ansari has undergone many transformative experiences since 2017.
While Master of None tackled a sexual harassment story on-screen, Ansari soon found himself at the center of a sexual misconduct allegation in 2018. Cindy Holland, the head of original content at Netflix in 2018, publicly backed Ansari after an anonymous story published on Babe.net accused the comedian of sexual misconduct, via Chortle. Holland was adamant that Netflix wanted to peruse third season of Master of None whenever Ansari was ready, according to Chortle.
Ansari has maintained a low profile since the 2018 allegation, but over this past year he has started to resurface in on-screen projects. The actor and comedian, widely known for his role as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation, participated in NBC sitcom’s COVID-19 fundraiser and reunion special in April. Ansari’s stand-up comedy special Right Now arrived on Netflix in July, and in the special the comedian briefly breached the topic of the Babe.net allegation.
Looper speculates that third season of Master of None could see a fictionalization of Ansari’s 2018 experience. “The moment was such a big one in Ansari’s life, it seems highly possible that he would include a fictionalized version of what happened that expresses his real emotions about it,” said Looper.
UK publication Eater London has contributed their own speculations about Master of None’s rumored third season, however their focus had little to do with Ansari’s personal life. As restaurants serve as central set-piece in Master of None, Eater London attempted to piece together which exact London-area restaurants may be featured in the show’s third season, based on the UK eating habits of people associated with the production.
Chortle reports that, in addition to Ansari, Alan Yang (Master of None, Parks and Recreation) will return as producer and Lena Waithe (The Chi, Ready Player One) as Ansari’s on-screen pal Denise. “A relocation to London would make it very easy to explain the absence of any cast members not on board,” Looper stated, as it’s unknown whether cast members Eric Wareheim (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!) or Kelvin Yu (Master of None, Bob’s Burgers) will be returning.
British actress Naomi Ackie (The End of the F***ing World) has reportedly been added to the cast of Master of None’s yet-to-be-confirmed third season, according to Chortle. The outlet goes as far as to speculate that Ackie will play Ansari’s character Dev’s latest love interest, via Chortle.
Though many are excited by Chortle’s announcement, What’s On Netflix asserts that “it’s definitely worth noting Netflix has yet to confirm the news officially.” Across it’s first two seasons, Master of None earned Netflix heaps of critical acclaim, as the show won one Golden Globe and two Emmys. Ansari’s series occupies the early wave of Netflix originals and, as What’s on Netflix puts it, “to many, it’s yet to be topped.”