Netflix Series Returns Include Devil May Cry and The Chestnut Man

Two notable series are returning to Netflix this spring, offering viewers new installments of both an animated action hit and a critically acclaimed crime drama. The animated series Devil May Cry is set to premiere its second season on May 12, 2026 [2], while the Danish crime thriller The Chestnut Man has returned with a new season titled Hide and Seek [1].

Key takeaways

• Devil May Cry Season 2 arrives on Netflix on May 12, 2026, following a one-year hiatus [2].
• The first season of Devil May Cry earned a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and reached the Netflix Top 10 with 5.3 million views in three days [2].
• The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek is the latest installment of the crime series, which originally debuted with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score [1].
• The Chestnut Man returns after a five-year hiatus, featuring detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess [1].

Expanding the scope of Devil May Cry

The second season of Devil May Cry arrives following a successful debut in April 2025 [2]. The show, based on the Capcom video game franchise, saw a significant impact on the games themselves, with player counts on Steam increasing up to 20 times during the show's initial run [2]. Creator Adi Shankar has described the new eight-episode season as significantly larger in scope and scale, comparing the transition from the first season to the second as similar to the leap between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight [2]. Shankar also noted that the upcoming episodes will feature numerous homages to classic action cinema and Hong Kong films [2].

The return of The Chestnut Man

After a five-year break, the Danish crime series The Chestnut Man has returned to the streaming service [1]. The new season, The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek, follows detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess as they investigate a missing woman and uncover connections to a cold case from decades ago [1]. While the original series achieved a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, the new season is currently accumulating early reviews, receiving positive marks from outlets including RogerEbert.com and Screenrant [1]. Despite the series' history of high critical acclaim, it has not yet appeared on Netflix’s top 10 list, which may be attributed to limited promotional efforts from the platform [1].

Why it matters

These returns highlight Netflix's strategy of leveraging established intellectual property and successful foreign-language dramas to maintain viewer engagement. Devil May Cry represents a major investment in animated adaptations of gaming franchises, with the creator aiming for a more intense, action-heavy tone in the second season [2]. Meanwhile, The Chestnut Man continues the platform's trend of supporting international crime series that have historically performed well with critics [1]. As both shows roll out new episodes, the focus remains on whether these returning titles can recapture the audience interest and critical success of their predecessors [1, 2].