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Seth MacFarlane drops disappointing ‘Ted’ update ahead of Season 2 release: ‘There are no plans…’

‘Ted’ Season 1's success saw the streamer renew the dramedy for Season 2, but Seth MacFarlane gave a disappointing update on the show's future.

Ted, the foul-mouthed teddy, is all set to return for 'Ted' Season 2. However, creator Seth MacFarlane's comments on the show's future suggest this might be coming to an end. Created by the five-time Emmy winner, the Peacock show serves as a prequel to the films. The show follows the bear along with John Bennett's teenage years. Max Burkholder stars as John, taking over from Mark Wahlberg. Season 1 opened to positive critical acclaim, and the streamer renewed the dramedy for a second season.

Ahead of Season 2's premiere, MacFarlane weighed in on Season 3, and the update is surely a dampener to the show's faithful. When asked about the developing animated series, which also serves as a sequel to the films and a potential third instalment, the creator told ScreenRant: 'As of now, there are no direct plans' to continue the live-action show. There are reasons why Season 3 wouldn't see the light of day, and one is the character development. With the season starring John in his junior year, there can only be a limited window to develop the storyline for a third season.

The other possibility could be the cost of the show. Earlier, Deadline reported that the estimated $10 million-per-episode budget for Season 1 makes it an expensive show to produce. With an animated series in the works, it is understandable if the show comes to a close after the second season. During the renewal news, reports suggested the streamer may cancel the show due to massive CGI costs. That said, Peacock is yet to officially close the door on a Season 3, despite MacFarlane's comments. For now, all eyes are on the eight-episode series premiering on Thursday.

The official synopsis of 'Ted' Season 2 reads, "It’s 1994, and senior year of high school is underway for Ted the foul-mouthed teddy bear and his best friend, likable but awkward John Bennett. Together they live in a working-class Boston home with John’s parents (Matty and Susan) and cousin (Blaire). Matty is a blustering, blue-collar Bostonian who sees himself as the unequivocal boss of the house and doesn’t like anyone challenging him, particularly his liberal-minded niece. Susan is kind, selfless, and almost pathologically sweet when it comes to caring for her family. Blaire is an outspoken college student who often finds herself at odds with her more traditional-minded relatives." 

The synopsis suggests that all isn't necessarily well with John as he navigates the pressure of being a teen. From sputtering relationships to schoolwork, he is forced to make things tick with Ted, being typical Ted. The trailer packs enough to show the two experiment with flirting, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and just causing mayhem in general. The cast, along with MacFarlane and Burkholder, includes Scott Grimes as Matty Bennett; Alanna Ubach as Susan Bennett, and Giorgia Whigham as Blaire Bennett — John’s bold, college-aged cousin living with the family. Expect the same chemistry to continue in Season 2 when it premieres on Peacock on Thursday, March 5.