Sundance Channel Acquires Season Two of The Returned

PASADENA: Sundance Channel has picked up the U.S. broadcast rights for the second season of the supernatural drama The Returned, and has also renewed its original series The Writers' Room.

Sundance Channel acquired the rights for season two of The Returned from Zodiak Rights. The first season of the French series premiered to much acclaimed on Sundance Channel last year. The eight-episode second season is currently in development, planned to air in late 2014.

Sarah Barnett, the president and general manager of Sundance Channel, said, “Sundance Channel is becoming a go-to network for quality scripted television that’s a little bit different to what’s airing elsewhere, and The Returned has proven to be an incredible addition to our slate. We were delighted with the overwhelming critical and fan response to the series and we expect that season two will continue to seduce and chill audiences.”

The network has also renewed The Writers' Room, which is hosted by Jim Rash, for a second season. Set to premiere in spring, the second season will go behind the scenes with the writers, producers and actors from such series as Sons of Anarchy, House of Cards, Pretty Little Liars, The Good Wife and Scandal. There will also be a special episode about the growing trend of comic book and graphic novel adaptations, touching on series such as The Walking Dead and Smallville.

Barnett added, “TV continues to be a tremendously dynamic and ever evolving medium, and audiences are increasingly interested in gaining a deeper perspective on the mechanisms and creative process behind their favorite shows. We look forward to exploring a brand-new season full of some of today’s most extraordinary series.”