WYNNEWOOD – A second season of the popular Oklahoma-based Netflix docu-series “Tiger King” will be premiering in November, the platform announced last week.
“Tiger King” debuted in March 2020 and became a nationwide sensation for its portrayal of Joe Exotic, an eccentric Oklahoman who operated a zoo in Wynnewood until his murder-for-hire conviction in 2019. The show became one of the most popular in Netflix history, likely boosted because its release coincided with nationwide stay-at-home recommendations at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exotic, whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently incarcerated in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Tiger King” followed Exotic and his employees during the tumultuous final months at the park, as well as other big-cat collectors around the country. The show put a spotlight, in particular, on the long-running feud between Exotic and Carole Baskin, whose Florida wildlife refuge seemed a stark contrast to Exotic’s makeshift zoo.
But the show raised its own questions about Baskin’s past and practices, leading Baskin to denounce her portrayal on the program. Others have criticized the show for focusing on the sensational personalities involved, rather than the animals at the zoos.
Exotic was convicted of hiring a man to kill Baskin, as well as animal abuse. After Exotic’s arrest, his park was operated by Jeff and Lauren Lowe, who were also featured in “Tiger King” season one. The Lowes were arrested on suspicion of DUI in Oklahoma City in June.
They have since turned over all the animals in their possession to the Justice Department.
“Tiger King 2” will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 17.