09/03/2016

“Mercy Street” has a longer road ahead of it.

PBS has renewed the drama — its first original scripted production in more than a decade — for a second season, the public broadcaster said Wednesday.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response to ‘Mercy Street’ and the return of high-quality American drama on PBS stations,” said Beth Hoppe, PBS chief programming officer and general manager, general audience programming, in a prepared statement. “We’re looking forward to a second season offering more fascinating stories inspired by historical events. The effort from everyone involved, including the producers, directors, historical consultants, actors and PBS stations, resulted in an extraordinary series that exemplifies PBS’ world-class programming.”

PBS may be in search of a new flagship drama. The very popular “Downton Abbey” recently concluded, leaving the broadcaster in search of a new scripted property around which to rally.

The drama explores life in Alexandria, Virginia in the Spring of 1862. The border town between North and South is the longest-occupied Confederate city of the war and ruled under martial law, The drama follows the stories of multiple characters, whose lives intersect at Mansion House, a family luxury hotel transformed into a Union Army hospital.

The first season was executive produced by Ridley Scott and David W. Zucker of Scott Free; Lisa Q. Wolfinger; and David Zabel. PBS said its January 17 premiere reached more than 5.7 million viewers, and that the series’ six episodes have streamed 2 million times (from January 14-February 28) across available platforms, which include PBS station websites, PBS.org and PBS apps for iOS, Android, FireTV, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox 360 and Windows 10.

 The ensemble cast for season two will include Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Josh Radnor, Gary Cole,Hannah James, Brad Koed Jr., Norbert Leo Butz, Tara Summers, McKinley Belcher III, Jack Falahee, AnnaSophia Robb, Donna Murphy, Suzanne Bertish and Luke Macfarlane.

Source: Variety