M. Night Shyamalan’s Wayward Pines will return in 2016 for another 10-episode run of thrills and psychological spills, after Fox announced plans to renew the drama for season 2.
Buoyed by somewhat unexpected viewing figures and a strong performance on home video, the network nailed down a renewal to strike while the iron is still piping hot, and it’s expected to premiere in the summer of next year. Shyamalan is primed to return as executive producer, though Chad Hodge will be replaced as showrunner by newcomer Mark Friedman, best known for his work on NBC’s Believe.
Based on Blake Crouch’s international best-selling series of books, Wayward Pines is billed as a icy crime drama situated in the titular Idaho town. It’s here that Ethan Burke (Matt Dillion) attempts to solve the mysterious disappearance of two brothers in blue, only his goodwill search soon brings him into contact with Terrence Howard’s Sheriff Arnold Pope, a ruthless leader that rules the roost of the community, punishing anyone who dares to cross his set of rules with a public execution.
“‘Wayward Pines’ was a huge hit for us this past summer. We were absolutely blown away by the mysterious and surprising world that Night and his team created, and the twisting-and-turning storytelling that drew viewers in from day one,” said Madden. “Season Two is going to take the suspense, the vision of the future and the haunting character drama to whole new levels, and we can’t wait for our fans to continue that ride next year.”
Nurtured as a surprise hit on Fox earlier this year, it’ll be fascinating to see how the network expands Wayward Pines into its sophomore season, particularly with a new showrunner at the helm in Mark Friedman.
