New Term, Higher Stakes: Netflix Political Workplace Drama ‘Wave Makers’ Returns For Second Season

Acclaimed Taiwanese political workplace drama Wave Makers has been renewed for a second season, with production officially underway this week. The team that fought to win an election is back — and this time, governing is on the agenda.

Season 1 took audiences beyond the podium and into the pressure cooker of a presidential campaign, following the staffers striving to turn their convictions into victory. Its impact extended beyond the screen, helping galvanize conversations around Taiwan’s #MeToo movement.

The first season of Wave Makers took the #1 spot on Netflix’ Top 10 TV Shows list in Taiwan for 15 days and spent five consecutive weeks in Taiwan’s Weekly Top 10. It earned 14 nominations at the 58th Golden Bell Awards, taking home four awards: Best Miniseries, Best Directing for a Miniseries, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song. It also picked up two nominations at the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, where Buffy Chen took home the Rising Star Award. 

Returning for the second season are Hsieh Ying-hsuan as Wong Wen-fang, Gingle Wang as Chang Ya-ching, Buffy Chen as Chao Jung-chih, Pu Hsueh-liang as Kao Cheng-kang, and Ada Pan as Chien Yi-ping, and more. From Wong, who steered the party’s communications team through the campaign’s daily battles, to the quietly composed Chang, who harbored a secret of her own, familiar faces are taking on new responsibilities. With the election behind them, they must navigate a fresh set of pressures, where political ambitions, professional loyalties and personal relationships collide.

The award-winning creative team returns with producers Jayde Lin and Leo Chiang, director Lin Chun-yang, and writers Chien Li-ying and Cynical Chick, with Su Chih-heng joining the writers’ room for the second season.

Season 2 picks up after the presidential election, as the staffers who gave everything to secure victory move from the campaign trail into the corridors of power. Winning a mandate is one thing; putting it into practice is another. As they settle into their new roles, each must decide when to stand firm and where to compromise. When serving the bigger picture comes at a personal cost, is there ever a clear right answer?

New characters and political forces will enter the fray, expanding the world of Wave Makers. Further casting announcements will follow.

Stay tuned. A new term is about to begin. Wave Makers Season 2 will premiere exclusively on Netflix.

Download first looks stills here.

About Wave Makers: Season 2

• Director: Lin Chun-yang

• Producers: Jayde Lin, Leo Chiang

• Writers: Chien Li-ying, Cynical Chick, Su Chih-heng

• Cast: Hsieh Ying-hsuan, Buffy Chen, Pu Hsueh-liang, Ada Pan, and more

• Netflix URL: www.netflix.com/wavemakers