Sons of Anarchy spinoff changes genre

The Sons of Anarchy franchise is returning with a new spinoff titled Legends, which will mark a complete shift in genre for the series. The new show will be a meta-thriller, a departure from the crime drama roots of the original series and its first spinoff, Mayans M.C.

Original cast members from Sons of Anarchy, including Charlie Hunnam, are confirmed to return for Legends. They will not be reprising their original roles, however. Instead, they will play fictionalized versions of themselves.

Legends Adopts A Meta-Thriller Premise

The story for Legends will begin with the cast reuniting for a fan convention ten years after the original show ended. What starts as a reunion will soon turn into a dangerous thriller when a real-world threat emerges. This forces the fictional versions of the cast to confront rivalries, betrayals, and violence that once defined their characters on the original show.

This self-parodying meta-narrative is a complete departure from the serious tone established by creator Kurt Sutter in the original Sons of Anarchy. By establishing that its own universe was fictional in all previous installments, the spinoff risks undermining the weight of the original series' storytelling. Charlie Hunnam's return is particularly notable given his character, Jax Teller, died in the finale of Sons of Anarchy. Having him back as a fictional version of himself is a bizarre way to feature the character without rewriting his definitive ending.

A Bold Creative Direction For The Franchise

A traditional follow-up to Sons of Anarchy was considered impossible after the original show's seventh season, given the definitive endings for many main characters like Jax Teller, Clay Morrow, Gemma Teller, and Tara Knowles. Some might argue the franchise was better off being left alone after its conclusive run. The sharp creative pivot with Legends could cause more harm than good, but the meta-thriller approach could still work if executed well.

If portrayed as a self-aware tribute to the original show's legacy, Legends could prove to be a worthy follow-up. The spinoff will likely need to thrive on nostalgia, reminding viewers why they fell in love with the original show's cast, character beats, and themes of brotherhood, loyalty, family, and redemption. Charlie Hunnam serves as the creator, co-writer, and executive producer for Legends, and network FX is reportedly confident in the project. This creative involvement offers some promise for the new direction.

The original Sons of Anarchy series aired on FX from 2008 to 2014 for seven seasons. It centered on the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO) and the tensions between President Clay and Vice President Jax in the town of Charming.