As previously announced, Donald Glover’s award-winning drama Atlanta will return for a second season – just don’t expect it to premiere until 2018.
Championed as the “breakout comedy of the year,” FX brass confirmed at the ongoing Television Critics Association this morning that Atlanta will skip 2017 altogether in favor of a 2018 premiere. A stacked schedule is to blame for the slight delay, given Glover – who also moonlights as rapper Childish Gambino – will soon be busy playing the young Lando Calrissian for Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s untitled Han Solo movie. Production on that one is expected to gear up in the coming weeks, with Woody Harrelson being the latest addition to the starry cast sheet.
Circling back to Atlanta, though, and even when factoring in today’s somewhat disappointing setback, Glover’s hit drama remains one of 2016’s success stories. Its impressive inaugural season was recognized at last weekend’s Golden Globes ceremony, too, where Atlanta was awarded both Best Comedy Series and Best Actor in a Comedy Series. The latter accolade is particularly fitting, given Donald Glover writes, directs and executive produces Atlanta – not to mention headlining the series as Earnest “Earn” Marks – so it shouldn’t be all that surprising that the talented creative has now inked an exclusive overall deal with FX Productions.
As part of the arrangement, the former Community star will help foster new series for FX Networks and other streaming services moving forward, all the while continuing his instrumental role in developing Atlanta. A 2018 release date is now in place for the show’s second season, but what are your thoughts on the slight postponement? Sound off in the usual place and let us know.