Jeffrey Wright, Executive producer/writer Lisa Joy, actresses Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Executive producer/writer/director Jonathan Nolan, actress Angela Sarafyan and actor James Marsden attend the premiere of HBO's 'Westworld' at TCL Chinese Thea (Photo : Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez)
HBO's popular sci-fi series "Westworld" has been renewed for a second season. However, fans of the robot thriller might have to wait until 2018 to watch new episodes.
As a result of its huge expanse, "Westworld" will probably not return until 2018, according to HBO's programming head Casey Bloys. "My suspicion is sometime in 2018 because of how big the world is and what goes into shooting it," Bloys told Entertainment Weekly, when asked about the show's return. "So I don't have a date exactly - they're going to have to map it out and write the scripts - but my guess is sometime in '18."
The show's renewal does not come as a surprise as it has been performing exceptionally well for the network. The series is averaging 11.7 million viewers across all platforms, which is higher than what "Game of Thrones" drew with its debut season.
The 10-episode series, which stars Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and James Marsden among others, is an adaptation of a 1973 novel authored by Michael Crichton. The show's plot revolves around a futuristic amusement park where wealthy visitors can play out their wildest fantasies in a wild-west-inspired world populated by robots, designed to entertain the guests.
"We're thrilled that the saga of Westworld will continue for another season," co-creators/showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. Nolan and Joy added that the "Westworld" cast and crew became a family while filming and they look forward continuing this experience with the team on Season 2.
In addition to "Westworld," HBO also renewed Sarah Jessica Parker's comedy series "Divorce" and "Insecure" for a second season. All three shows have been renewed for 10 episodes.
It has yet to be confirmed if "Westworld" Season 2 is not happening in 2017 to avoid being aired by HBO together with "Game of Thrones" Season 7.
Check out the promo for the upcoming "Westworld" Season 1 episode 8 below:
