Shades of Blue is an American crime drama television series that premiered on NBC in 2016. The show stars Jennifer Lopez as Harlee Santos, a detective in New York City who is forced to work with the FBI to take down members of her own unit after being caught arranging illegal payments.
The first season of Shades of Blue introduced the main characters and setup the plot involving Harlee working as an informant against her corrupt colleagues. It received generally positive reviews and was renewed for a second season by NBC. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment to find out what happens next.
So where can you watch season 2 of Shades of Blue? Here is a look at the various options for streaming and viewing new episodes as they are released in 2017.
NBC
As an NBC original series, Shades of Blue will air weekly on the NBC broadcast network. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere Sunday March 5, 2017 at 10pm ET/9pm CT with a 2-hour premiere. NBC will continue airing new episodes each Sunday night at 10pm Eastern/9pm Central.
If you have access to NBC through a cable or satellite provider, you can watch new episodes as they air live on television. You can also use your TV provider login to stream episodes on NBC.com and the NBC app the day after they air on TV.
Hulu
For those without access to NBC through a traditional pay-TV subscription, the best way to watch Shades of Blue is with a Hulu subscription. Hulu has obtained the streaming rights to air new episodes of Shades of Blue after they air on NBC.
Typically, new episodes are added to Hulu’s library the morning after they are shown on NBC. This means you’ll be able to stream new episodes of Shades of Blue every Monday on Hulu, rather than having to wait until it finishes airing on NBC at the end of the season.
Hulu’s basic ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month and will provide full access to Shades of Blue Season 2. For $11.99 per month, you can upgrade to the ad-free version of Hulu to watch commercial-free.
Additional Streaming Options
While NBC and Hulu will be the primary sources for watching Shades of Blue Season 2, here are some other platforms that are expected to have episodes available on-demand:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| iTunes | $2.99 per HD episode |
| Amazon Video | $2.99 per HD episode |
| Google Play | $2.99 per HD episode |
| VUDU | $2.99 per HD episode |
Most major digital retailers like iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and VUDU will have individual episodes of Shades of Blue Season 2 available for purchase. Typically, new episodes are added to these platforms the day after airing on NBC. Purchasing single episodes usually costs around $2.99-$3.99 in HD.
So if you prefer buying episodes rather than streaming through a subscription, this is a viable option as well. Just keep in mind that purchasing episodes individually can become costly over the course of a season.
International Viewing Options
For viewers outside of the United States, you may find Shades of Blue Season 2 available on Netflix.
The first season of Shades of Blue has already been added to Netflix in several international markets. Netflix will likely obtain rights to new episodes after they finish airing on NBC.
Check the Netflix website in your country to see if Shades of Blue is available. The release schedule will vary depending on your location.
Some other places to look for Shades of Blue outside the US include:
| Country | Network |
|---|---|
| Canada | CTV |
| United Kingdom | Sky Living |
| Australia | Universal Channel |
Local broadcasters that aired Season 1 in different countries will likely also air new episodes of Season 2. Check TV listings in your area for details.
When Will Season 2 Premiere?
The Shades of Blue Season 2 release date is scheduled for Sunday, March 5, 2017. The season will kick off with a 2-hour premiere episode.
After the premiere, new episodes will continue airing every Sunday night on NBC through the end of the season. Season 2 is expected to contain a total of 13 episodes.
Here is the schedule for the Shades of Blue Season 2 premiere and subsequent episode air dates:
| Episode # | Air Date |
|---|---|
| Season 2 Premiere | March 5, 2017 |
| Episode 2 | March 12, 2017 |
| Episode 3 | March 19, 2017 |
| Episode 4 | March 26, 2017 |
| Episode 5 | April 9, 2017 |
| Episode 6 | April 16, 2017 |
| Episode 7 | April 23, 2017 |
| Episode 8 | April 30, 2017 |
| Episode 9 | May 7, 2017 |
| Episode 10 | May 14, 2017 |
| Episode 11 | May 21, 2017 |
| Episode 12 | May 28, 2017 |
| Episode 13 | June 4, 2017 |
So mark your calendars for March 5th to catch the extended Season 2 premiere of Shades of Blue. Then tune in every Sunday at 10pm Eastern on NBC to watch new episodes as they air. You can also stream episodes the next day on Hulu to stay caught up.
What to Expect in Season 2
The first season ended on a major cliffhanger, leaving many questions unanswered. Harlee and Wozniak revealed the true identity of Lieutenant Verco as the head of the close-knit crew of dirty cops. A gunfight ensued, leaving Verco dead.
Harlee fled the scene, now realizing that working as an informant for the FBI has made her the target of her former allies. She will certainly be in danger when the police discover Verco’s body and realize one of their own is leaking information.
So what can we expect to see in Season 2 of Shades of Blue? Here are some of the major plot points likely to be covered:
- Harlee evading capture and likely going on the run from both the FBI and police
- Wozniak dealing with the fallout within his crew after Verco’s death
- FBI Agent Stahl trying to find Harlee before she disappears
- The dirty cops discovering they have a rat among them
- Reveals of even more corruption that goes deeper than just Harlee’s unit
- A new FBI agent being brought in to take over the investigation
With Harlee’s life in danger, she will have to rely on limited allies to avoid being killed in retaliation. Stahl may be forced to compromise his ethics further to protect his star informant. And Wozniak could find the authority he fought hard to gain threatened by blowback from Verco’s murder.
The cat-and-mouse game between Harlee, Stahl, and the corrupt cops will escalate even further. And the conspiracy may turn out to reach beyond what anyone suspected. More backstabbing and shifting loyalties are certainly in store over the 13 episodes.
Cast and Characters
The main cast members will all be returning for Shades of Blue Season 2:
- Jennifer Lopez as Harlee Santos
- Ray Liotta as Matt Wozniak
- Drea de Matteo as Tess Nazario
- Warren Kole as Robert Stahl
- Dayo Okeniyi as Michael Loman
- Hampton Fluker as Marcus Tufo
- Vincent Laresca as Carlos Espada
Jennifer Lopez will continue in her starring role as the conflicted detective Harlee Santos. She must navigate dangers from all sides as she works to turn on her own people while trying not to betray her family in the process.
Matt Wozniak, played by Ray Liotta, finds his crew fractured and position threatened. But he’s determined to root out the mole he now knows is feeding information to the feds.
Drea de Matteo is Tess, Harlee’s close friend who is still in the dark about her being an informant. Their friendship could be another casualty if Tess discovers the truth.
And Warren Kole returns as Agent Stahl, who proves increasingly willing to go rogue in his pursuit of police corruption, endangering his career.
Many other supporting characters will also play key roles as the intricate plot continues to unfold when the show returns.
Reaction and Reviews
Shades of Blue was generally well-received by critics and audiences during its first season. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series earned a 67% approval rating from critics and a more positive 89% rating from viewers in Season 1.
Many praised the compelling storyline dealing with the timely topic of corruption in law enforcement. Jennifer Lopez’s performance was also a highlight for many reviewers.
Here is a sampling of what critics said about Shades of Blue Season 1:
“Jennifer Lopez skillfully handles the belatedly sympathetic role, conveying her character’s guilt, fear and self-disgust with understatement and restraint.” – Neil Genzlinger, New York Times
“Thanks to the conviction of series star Jennifer Lopez, Shades always remains compelling viewing.” – Mark A. Perigard, Boston Herald
“Lopez brings grit and empathy to the dramatic role, while Ray Liotta is icily sinister as her boss. Their scenes positively crackle.” – David Hinckley, New York Daily News
A main criticism of the first season was that the plot became too convoluted at times. Viewers will be hoping for a bit more cohesion in Season 2. But overall, the strong cast and unique setup earned Shades of Blue solid marks out of the gate.
Look for more dramatic storylines centered on Lopez’s Harlee as she descends deeper into the criminal underworld. If the writing and acting continue to deliver, Shades of Blue Season 2 has the makings of another intense and addictive installment.
Trailers and Promos
To get a sneak preview of what’s in store in the second season of Shades of Blue, check out these newly released trailers and promos:
[Embed Season 2 Official Trailer]
The official trailer shows Harlee on the run, with Wozniak and Stahl trying to track her down. Tensions are running high as the stakes climb even higher for the characters.
NBC has also released a series of brief teaser promos focusing on each of the main characters:
[Embed character promo videos]
These short videos highlight Harlee, Wozniak, Stahl, Tess, and the rest of the crew. We get glimpses of new betrayals, shifting alliances, and the no-holds-barred measures law enforcement is willing to take to expose corruption within the ranks.
The exclusive looks in the trailers and promos make Season 2 look like an electrifying step up from the drama of the first season.
Conclusion
Shades of Blue is heating up as it heads into its second year. With Harlee on the run and tensions escalating, Season 2 promises to deliver more twists and turns as she battles enemies on all sides.
To watch new episodes, tune into NBC on Sunday nights at 10pm Eastern, beginning with the extended 2-hour premiere on March 5. Or stream episodes the next day on Hulu to catch up or binge watch.
Jennifer Lopez continues to earn praise for her nuanced portrayal of Harlee Santos at the center of this greedy group. Surrounded by a talented cast and crew, she looks ready to anchor another compelling chapter in a very binge-worthy series for fans of crime dramas.
The cat-and-mouse games are sure to reach new levels of danger and deception. Buckle up for an intense rollercoaster ride when Shades of Blue returns for Season 2.
