What is a direct sequel?

A direct sequel is a literary, cinematic, or other work of fiction that continues the story of a previous work. The plot of a direct sequel is directly connected to the events of the previous work, which may be a stand-alone work, the first part of a series, or a previous installment in the same series. The protagonist or main characters of the earlier work are typically also present in the sequel, and the sequel generally picks up where the previous work left off in terms of the story. Direct sequels often expand upon or further develop plot elements, character relationships, or other aspects of the original work.