WGN America says it has ordered a second season of its New Mexico-set period drama Manhattan, which will wrap up Season 1 Sunday.
The renewal announcement was made Tuesday by Matt Cherniss, president and general manager of WGN America and Tribune Studios.
Created and written by Sam Shaw, helmed by Emmy Award-winning director Thomas Schlamme and produced by Lionsgate Television, Skydance Television and Tribune Studios, the second season of Manhattan is scheduled to begin production next spring for a debut later in the year.
Starring John Benjamin Hickey, Olivia Williams and Daniel Stern, the series follows the brilliant but flawed scientists racing to develop the first atomic bomb in Los Alamos.
"Manhattan represents the kind of high-quality original series we aim to deliver at WGN America, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the show's widespread critical acclaim and its loyal audience," Cherniss said in a statement. "Sam, Tommy and the talented cast and creative team have so brilliantly brought to life the world of the Manhattan Project and we can't wait to see what secrets and surprises await us in Season 2."
"We're so thrilled to get to continue telling this extraordinary American origin story with our incredible family of writers, actors, directors and crew -- and to be doing it on WGN America, which has always supported our creative vision," added Shaw and Schlamme in a joint statment.