Today is FX Network's day at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. Ahead of all the panels, both FX and FXX released a series of programming announcements that included renewals, shows changing channels, series orders and premiere dates.
FX's The Strain has been renewed for a third season. The vampire drama was created by Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan and Carlton Cuse. The cast for the second season includes Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Mia Maestro, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles and Ruta Gedmintas.
"Guillermo and Carlton have delivered two thrilling seasons of The Strain that are captivating and visually arresting, doing justice to the original novel trilogy and meeting fans' high expectations in the process," said Eric Schrier, President of Original Programming, FX Networks. "We're excited to see them carry this powerful story into a third season on FX."
FX has also given a 10-episode series order to comedy Better Things created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K. and starring Adlon. The semi-autobiographic comedy centers on Sam (Adlon), a working actor with no filter trying to earn a living, navigate her daughters' lives, have fun with a friend or two, and also - just maybe - squeeze in some private time once in a while. Mikey Madison, Riley Watson and Olivia Edward co-star as the three daughters.
Adlon and C.K. wrote the pilot, which was directed by C.K. Both executive produce alongside Blair Breard and Dave Becky. FX Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment and Pig Newton produce.
"Pamela is one of the sharpest and most endearing actresses working in television today and we are thrilled she has joined forces with Louis to create a series that is raw, personal and incredibly funny," said Schrier.
New drama The Bastard Executioner will begin its first season - which will consist of 10 episodes - on Tuesday, September 15 at 10/9c. with a two-hour premiere.
The blood-soaked medieval epic tells the story of Wilkin Brattle (Lee Jones), a 14th century warrior whose life is forever changed when a divine messenger beseeches him to lay down his sword and lead the life of another man: a journeyman executioner.
The cast for the drama also includes Stephen Moyer, Katey Sagal, Brian F. O'Byrne, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Kurt Sutter, Kyle Rees, Sam Spruell, Darren Evans, Danny Sapani, Timothy V. Murphy, Sarah White, Sarah Sweeny, Ethan Griffiths, Ross O'Hennessey, Alec Newman and Tim McDonnell.
Kurt Sutter created the drama, and executive produces with Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo and director Paris Barclay. FX Productions and Fox 21 Television Studios produce.
The fifth season of hit anthology series American Horror Story: Hotel will premiere on Wednesday, October 7 at 10/9c.
The cast for the new season includes Lady Gaga, Matt Bomer, Cheyenne Jackson, Wes Bentley, Kathy Bates, Chloë Sevigny, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Finn Wittrock and Denis O'Hare.
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear, Brad Buecker, Jennifer Salt, James Wong and Alexis Martin Woodall serve as executive producers. 20th Century Fox Television produces.
Emmy-winning limited series Fargo will return for its 10-episode second installment on Monday, October 12 at 10/9c.
The new chapter travels back to 1979 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Luverne, Minnesota. It centers on Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson), a young state trooper back from Vietnam who's investigating a case involving a local crime gang, a major mob syndicate and a small-town beautician and her husband.
The cast for the season also includes Ted Danson, Jean Smart, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Jeffrey Donovan, Nick Offerman, Brad Garrett and Cristin Milioti.
Noah Hawley continues to serve as showrunner, and executive produces with Joel & Ethan Coen, Warren Littlefield and John Cameron. MGM Television and FX Productions produce.
It has also been announced that the upcoming seventh season of hit animated comedy Archer will be making the transition to FXX - in order to be paired with new animated project Cassius and Clay, which just earned a 10-episode series order.
Created in the vein of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the action-buddy comedy, Cassius and Clay, centers on two women (voiced by Kaitlin Olson & Lake Bell) living as bandits in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic America.
The voice cast also features Susan Sarandon, JB Smoove, Kevin Michael Richardson, Jeffrey Tambor, Stephen Root, Katy Mixon and Robert Patrick.
Adam Reed and Megan Ganz created the comedy, and executive produce with Matt Thompson. FX Productions will produce.
"Tearing through the Smoky Mountains, Cassius and Clay don't just survive the end of the world - they thrive on it with a pack of misfits who persevere against all odds in this Southern-fried apocalypse," said Nick Grad, President of Original Programming, FX Networks. "Our thanks to Adam and Megan for creating this hilarious and twisted tale and to Kaitlin, Lake, Susan and the rest of the voice cast for bringing these characters to life in all their damaged glory."
