Starz has handed out another early TV show renewal. The cable channel has ordered a second season of Ash Vs Evil Dead a few days prior to its series debut.
Here’s the press release:
STARZ IS IN THE ASH-KICKING BUSINESS
GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASON OF ORIGINAL SERIES “ASH VS EVIL DEAD” IN ADVANCE OF SERIES PREMIERE ON OCTOBER 31
“HOT DAMN” – Deadline Hollywood
“IT’S FREAKIN’ GREAT” – IGN
“FEROCIOUSLY IN YOUR FACE” – TV Guide
Beverly Hills, Calif., October 28, 2015 – Ahead of its Halloween premiere, STARZ Original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” has earned an early renewal for a second season from Starz. Strong fan, affiliate and distributor demand for the highly-anticipated premiere of “Ash vs Evil Dead” has generated the early pickup of the series which is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film The Evil Dead.
Executive producers and The Evil Dead original filmmakers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell will return for the second season with executive producer and showrunner Craig DiGregorio. Campbell will continue in his role as Ash Williams, the aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter. Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) is also returning as Ruby, a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks.
“One season isn’t enough to satisfy the fans’ two decade-long appetite for more Ash,” said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz. “The early fan and press support, along with the international broadcaster demand for more story have made it clear that the adventures of Ash Williams can’t end with season one.”
Starz recently announced global licensing deals with broadcasters and digital platforms in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide allowing “Ash vs Evil Dead” to premiere simultaneously with its network premiere in the U.S. on October 31. Broadcasters and digital providers offering “Ash vs Evil Dead” on October 31 include Amedia (Russia/CIS), C More (Scandinavia), Fox Action on Fox+ Premium service/Fox Latin America Channels (Latin America/Brazil), Sky TV (New Zealand), Stan (Australia), Starz Play Arabia (Middle East/North Africa) and Super Channel (Canada).
Starz will retain all domestic and international multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment and digital.
About “Ash vs Evil Dead”
The 10-episode first season of the half-hour series features Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) as Ash Williams; Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks; Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick; Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past; and Jill Marie Jones (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner.
About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.
Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ(R) and ENCORE(R) pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of June 30, 2015, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.8 million subscribers, including 23.5 million at STARZ, and 33.3 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ(R) and ENCORE(R), along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX(R), air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to the premiere of this series? Do you think an early season two renewal is a good idea?
I am so happy Ash is back. I laugh my assignment off at his character. I hope it lasts longer than 2 seasons. It seems the more I get attached to a show, the faster it gets pulled off air. I used to think I knew what was funny and good. But sometimes your comedy may not be what everyone thinks.
Been waiting for a long time. Finally Ash is back; I hope for a long time. Let’s see…