Controversial, but very popular film 365 Days will be returning to Netflix with two sequels.
The story of 365 days revolves around a young Polish woman who is kidnapped by a Sicilian gangster and given one year to fall in love with him. This sparked some backlash upon the film’s initial release, with critics saying that it romanticized sexual assault, domestic violence and kidnapping.
However, many people around the world enjoyed the movie, which landed in Netflix’s daily Top 10 most-watched lists in more than 90 countries and, according to the streamer, was the fourth most-searched movie on Google around the world in 2020.
The difference this time is that the first 365 Days was an acquisition of a completed film by Netflix, while the sequels are being made as Netflix originals, while still being produced by the original producers.
The sequels will still be based on the book trilogy (sometimes called “the Polish 50 Shades of Grey”) by Polish author Blanka Lipinska, who co-wrote the first script with Mojca Tirs, and the pair return for the next two instalments alongside Tomasz Mandes.
Original cast members Michele Morrone and Anna-Maria Sieklucka will reprise their lead roles, with Magdalena Lamparska also returning. Model and actor Simone Susinna is joining the cast as new character Nacho.
In the sequel to the first film, Laura and Massimo are reunited, but their new beginning is complicated by Massimo’s family ties and a mysterious man who enters Laura’s life to win her heart and trust at any cost.
“I’m hugely honoured that the remaining two parts of my 365 Days trilogy – “This Day” and “Next 365 Days” – will be brought to life on screen by Netflix. I’m so excited to show fans of my novels all over the world this fresh look at the characters and to continue Laura and Massimo’s story” said author Blanka Lipinska.
Production started last week in Poland and it will be later moving to Italy. The sequels are being shot back to back. The release of both sequels on Netflix is planned for 2022.