ABC TV and SundanceTV announced today that a second season of original drama series Cleverman will go into production in Sydney for a second season later this year. The announcement comes as Season 1 premiered in the United States last night and in Australia on ABC tonight. Season 2 will include 6 hourlong episodes.
Based on an original concept by Ryan Griffen, Season 2 writers for Cleverman are Stuart Page, Jane Allen, Jada Alberts, Justine Gillmer and Ryan Griffen. Executive producers are Sally Riley, Ben Grant, Kylie du Fresne, Wayne Blair, Angela Littlejohn, Adam Fratto, Jan David Frouman, Amelie Klenlin and Irena Ignatiew. Producers are Rosemary Blight, Ryan Griffen, Jane Allen and Sharon Lark. Red Arrow International, Goalpost Pictures Australia and Pukeko Pictures produce.
Season 1 of Cleverman featured an ensemble cast led by Iain Glen, Frances O'Connor, Hunter Page-Lochard and Rob Collins.
Sally Riley, Head of Scripted Production, ABC TV, says: "It's rare that you get the green light for a second series of a show before the first season has even gone to air, so for me it's a testament to the quality and audience appeal of Cleverman. It is also a testament to the unflinching support the show has from our funding partners Screen Australia and Screen NSW here in Oz, and our international partners Red Arrow and SundanceTV."
Said Joel Stillerman, President of Original Programming and Development, AMC and SundanceTV, "The world that Ryan Griffen and the rest of the tam behind Cleverman have created is a perfect blend of timeless mythology seen through the prism of a near future lens. This is a series that sophisticated genre fans will no doubt fall in love with. We are thrilled to be working with our incredible partners at ABC TV, Goalpost Pictures Australia, Red Arrow International and Pukeko Pictures to continue the West brothers' journey."
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason added, "Cleverman fully deserves that local and international accolades that it has received - it's engrossing, challenging, entertaining and unique. Following this original concept from inception through to development and now seeing its resonance with audiences both overseas and at home is a proud moment for Screen Australia. Congratulations to all involved."
Henrik Pabst, Managing Director of Red Arrow International, said: "Cleverman has already generated a huge amount of interest with international broadcasters, and the great news about Season 2 will continue to build on this success. Congratulations to everyone involved in this groundbreaking new drama."
