EPIX Renews Scripted Originals Berlin Station, Graves

NEW YORK: EPIX has ordered second seasons of the hour-long spy drama Berlin Station and half-hour political dramedy Graves, both of which are slated to begin production in early spring 2017.

Berlin Station follows the activity of a CIA office on a global stage in the middle of an investigation into a now-famous whistleblower. The show, which comes from Paramount TV and Anonymous Content, stars Richard Armitage, Richard Jenkins, Rhys Ifans, Michelle Forbes, Leland Orser and Tamlyn Tomita. It is created by author Olen Steinhauer (The Tourist), who also serves as exec producer alongside showrunner Bradford Winters (The Americans). The second season will contain ten episodes.

“EPIX is a great home for Berlin Station and on behalf of the entire team, we are excited to bring another season to life,” said Amy Powell, the president of Paramount TV. “Audiences have found, and continue to discover, this smart series and should expect even more from our stellar creative team in season two.”

Graves follows two-term Republican President Richard Graves (Nick Nolte) as he embarks on a mission to right the wrongs of his administration and reclaim his legacy 25 years after leaving the White House. Sela Ward, Skylar Astin, Heléne Yorke, Chris Lowell and Callie Hernandez co-star in the Lionsgate TV series. Graves was created by Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote), who also serves as showrunner. Oscar winner Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker) is an executive producer.

“With the country focused on electing a new President, we’re excited to see that viewers haven’t lost their sense of humor and have embraced Graves’ fictional, funny and very human past president, as brought vibrantly to life by Nick Nolte and creator Joshua Michael Stern,” noted Kevin Beggs, the chairman of the Lionsgate Television Group. “We are thrilled to extend our partnership for a second season, and look forward to the new places Josh will take this memorable former First Family next year.”

EPIX’s president and CEO, Mark S. Greenberg, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the work our creators, executive producers, cast and crew did on the first seasons of Berlin Station and Graves. These ambitious series represent the level of prestigious, cinematic and authentic storytelling we are committed to offering our subscribers. Both series are particularly timely and relevant and quickly found their place in the competitive TV landscape. We couldn’t be more excited to continue to tell these unique and compelling stories.”