FX is taking you down South once more, as the cable network has renewed Donald Glover’s surreal dramedy “Atlanta” for a third season set to premiere in 2019. (No word on if Season 3 will have a modified title a la the sophomore installment’s moniker, “Robbin’ Season.”)
“‘Atlanta’ is phenomenal, achieving and exceeding what few television series have done,” Nick Grad said Thursday, while announcing the renewal with fellow president of original programming for FX Networks and FX Productions, Eric Schrier. “With ‘Atlanta Robbin’ Season,’ Donald and his collaborators elevated the series to even greater heights, building on the enormous success of their award-winning first season. We’re grateful to the producers and our extraordinary cast and crew for achieving this level of excellence, and we share the excitement with our audience about the third season knowing they will continue to take us to unexpected and thrilling places.”
Backed by FX Productions and created by Glover, “Atlanta” also stars Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Lee Stanfield and Zazie Beetz.
The gap between Season 1 and Season 2 of “Atlanta” was substantial, with the FX series not returning from its first year wrap in the fall of 2017 until this March.
In the recently concluded second season, two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families. Earn Marks (Donald Glover) is a young manager trying to get his cousin’s career off the ground. Alfred Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) is a new hot rapper trying to understand the line between real life and street life. Darius (Lakeith Lee Stanfield) is Alfred’s right-hand man and visionary. Van (Zazie Beetz) is Earn’s best friend and the mother of Earn’s daughter.
The premiere of “Atlanta Robbin’ Season” was the top scripted comedy on basic cable in more than a year. The series’ first season earned two Emmys and two Golden Globes, grabbing a best comedy award at both shows and lead-actor trophies for Donald Glover.
“Atlanta” is executive produced by Donald Glover, his younger brother Stephen Glover, Paul Simms, Dianne McGunigle, and Hiro Murai (who directed the majority of the episodes in the first two seasons).