Kingdom spoilers follow.
Outside of South Korea, Netflix has steadily become the best place to watch Korean TV, and the jewel in its crown is Kingdom.
The zombie-show-slash-period-drama puts The Walking Dead to shame when it comes to rabid pacing and genuine scares, but as of March 2025 we're sorry to report that a third season is still yet to be confirmed.
In 2021, director Kim Seong-hun said that the 'Ashin of the North' special exists as a bridge into a potential third season.
"I would be lying if there’s no pressure," writer Kim Eun-hee also said (via Philstar), when discussing the level of anticipation if season three does happen. "Pressure is inevitable at this point. However, I do feel that it is nearly impossible to create something that, if you show the content to 100 people, all of them love it."
That said, Kim Eun-hee told The Hollywood Reporter that she has enough ideas to span a whole lot further than three seasons.
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"Strangely enough, Kingdom is a series that gives me more energy the more I write it," she said. "The cast and crew all have great chemistry, and there's so much more to tell. If viewers allow, I would love to see it develop even up to season 10."
But that's currently a distant dream. We're here to talk about season three and what we can expect from the currently unconfirmed third instalment.
Here's everything you need to know.
Is there going to be a season 3 of Kingdom?
As mentioned above, at this moment in time, Kingdom season three has not been given the green light and there's very little official information out there as to its status.
Fans have been waiting for news of the South Korean TV series, but there's not been anything since the Special which released in 2021.
What is Kingdom season 3's release date?
Without that all-important renewal, it's impossible to say when – or even if – new episodes of Kingdom might be released.
The show first premiered in January 2019, and season two arrived just over a year later in March 2020. Based on this schedule alone, we initially expected new episodes to arrive early 2021.
However, the TV industry was hit hard by an unprecedented number of delays and setbacks due to Covid between 2020 to 2022.
At least fans weren't left totally empty-handed, with the release of 'Ashin of the North' in July 2021. But according to stats site FlixPatrol, the one-off film didn't make a major dent on the service as a whole.
Kingdom season 3 cast: Who will be in it?
If a returning season does go ahead, it's unlikely that Ju Ji-hoon would leave the franchise.
When asked why Kingdom is so successful and what it has meant to him and his career, the actor replied in 2020 (via Cosmopolitan Philippines): "Kingdom is unique in that it is a very successful mix of film and drama series. And I think that finding the midpoint between the two genres really brought out a lot of the positive aspects of each one. And it is also very interesting. I am really satisfied with the outcome.
"In terms of what being a part of Kingdom has done for me, just look at us today. Thanks to Kingdom I'm sitting right here in this chair, video conferencing you guys."
So odds are the Crown Prince would be safe.
While a few favourites bit the dust in season two, a number of familiar faces will likely return in a potential season three. Joining Ju Ji-hoon will likely be the following:
• Ryu Seung-ryong as Cho Hak-ju
• Bae Doona as Seo-bi
• Kim Sung-kyu as Yeong-shin
• Jeon Seok-ho as Cho Beom-pal
• Park Byung-eun as Min Chi-rok
There's also Jun Ji-hyun, who appeared at the end of season two before starring as the titular character in the prequel episode 'Ashin of the North'.
The prequel took us back to Ashin's childhood, and there, we discovered exactly how the virus was first transmitted to humans and learnt more about why Ashin is so keen to spread chaos across the country.
What would the third season of Kingdom season 3 be about?
It's likely that season three would look to pick up right where season two left off, seven years and three months after the initial zombie outbreak.
Ashin, the mysterious plant seller, will certainly play a key role in future events, but her exact role is yet to be determined.
The green-fingered Ashin was seen deliberately spreading the virus (or so it seemed). She even kept a few of the infected as pets.
From the events that unfolded in 'Ashin of the North', we know that she has been hardened by the tragedy and brutality that she was forced to endure in her past. Her hardships resulted in a vengeful Ashin going after those who had wronged her.
Does she now mean to spread chaos everywhere she goes, or spread zombie-ism so that China can invade and take over a weakened nation? Those are questions only season three can answer.
Whatever happens, expect the new Prince to appear more in season three too. As a baby, he was immune to the worms that cause zombie-ism, but now that he's grown older, it looks like one remaining parasite has moved up to his brain.
That doesn't necessarily mean the Prince will transform into a monster, though. His case is extremely unusual, and given how long the worm has already been in his system, the boy could become some kind of strange, zombie/human hybrid instead.
In 2020, writer Kim Eun-hee discussed the themes season three could explore, saying (via Soompi): "Season one told the story of hunger and season two told the story of blood. If Netflix agrees, I want season three to tell the story of resentment.
"Season two brought attention to the concept of 'temperature' and I think if the story were to travel north, the different ecosystem in the North would act as a hint."
Is there a trailer or any footage for Kingdom season 3?
Unfortunately, with no news about when the show will return, we're yet to get any kind of trailer or even a teaser of what's to come.
But check back in here and we will update you as soon as we know more.
Kingdom seasons 1 and 2 are now available to watch worldwide on Netflix.
Netflix/Left Bank Pictures The Crown season 3 with Amazon exclusive box artwork
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
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