CBS All Access has given a second season renewal to its Ridley Scott-produced drama “Strange Angel.”
The series, which is based on George Pendle’s book of the same name, is inspired by the real-life story of rocket engineer and Thelemite occultist Jack Parsons, explores the intersection between genius and madness, science and science fiction. It was created for TV by Mark Heyman and stars Jack Reynor as Parsons.
At the conclusion of the first season, Jack and his team from Caltech make a scientific breakthrough that secures the military’s interest as the country nears the brink of war. In season two, the U.S. is fully engaged in World War II, transforming Jack’s rocketry work into a lucrative business and further entrenching him in the military-industrial complex. While Jack’s career takes off, he and his wife Susan’s devotion to their new occult religion grows, leading them to invite the sex cult into their Pasadena mansion and to forge a personal relationship with the group’s notorious founder, Aleister Crowley himself.
The cast includes Rupert Friend, Bella Heathcote, Peter Mark Kendall, Michael Gaston, Greg Wise, Rade Šerbedžija, Zack Pearlman and Keye Chen. The series is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions. Scott, Heyman, David DiGilio, and David W. Zucker serve as executive producers. Clayton Krueger serves as co-executive producer.
“We look forward to exploring the next chapter of Jack Parsons’ journey,” said Julie McNamara, executive VP, original content, CBS All Access. “Strange Angel’ and its talented cast and crew are the epitome of the type of programming we strive for at CBS All Access – daring, imaginative and unconventional.”