Lots of exciting announcements and new show buzz at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. Seriously, have you seen the trailer for the return of Prison Break? 20th Century Fox also looks to bring back Steven Bochco’s L.A. Law with young lawyers and some of the original cast as partners at a law firm.
Fox’s cable outlet, FX Networks, is making waves by announcing seasons eight and nine for American Horror Story. This comes two months after the network renewed the horror anthology series for a seventh installment.
“American Horror Story launched the modern limited series revolution and – as evidenced by the most recent installment ‘Roanoke’ – it remains as vital today as when Murder House stunned audiences six years ago,” said FX Networks CEO John Landgraf. “Each new chapter is a cultural event, beloved for every new twist in imagery, style, cast and plot.”
AHS has been a ratings winner for FX, among the network’s top telecasts of all time. It has also won 15 Emmy Awards, including stars Jessica Lange (two-time winner) and Kathy Bates. For its fifth season, American Horror Story: Hotel, Lady Gaga won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Film.
Speaking of the Golden Globes, this past ceremony saw Donald Glover’s Atlanta pick up two awards: Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy; Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Donald Glover).
Fans of the show expecting its return this year will have to wait until 2018 as Glover’s schedule includes a sizable role as Lando Calrissian in a Hans Solo/Star Wars movie. Like AHS, Atlanta has been a big success for FX in its freshman season. It is the basic cable’s most-watched new comedy in three years, according to Deadline, and is the highest-rated comedy in FX Networks’ history.
Other announcement news for FX Networks and sister network FXX, include the season premiere dates of one new series and two returning favorites.
Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Bette and Joan will premiere on Sunday, March 5 at 10 PM on FX. The limited series stars Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon as Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, and tells the rivalry the two starlets had while collaborating on the thriller What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?
The fifth and penultimate season of The Americans moves to a new Tuesday night slot from Wednesdays, premiering March 7 at 10 PM on FX.
Archer premieres Wednesday, April 5 at 10 PM on FXX, its first season on FX’s sister network.
