The Leftovers will return to HBO on Sunday night, but fans almost did not receive a second season of the HBO drama.
Damon Lindelof spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the series and the new direction the series is taking for season two, and he revealed that he almost pulled the plug on the series completely after season one ended.
“When the first season ended, I was certainly of the mind of, “Well, maybe we’re done. Maybe this is all there is. We just did a season, ten episodes, of this thing. Is there a compelling reason to continue? What are the story threads that we’d want to explore?” Then we sat down and we started saying, “What does this family look like? What is Garvey 2.0? What does ‘Kevin and Nora’ look like? It seems like Laurie is out of the Guilty Remnant and she’s with Tom but both of them kind of joined these crazy cults, so what would they do next — and is that interesting?” So we basically had the freedom to explore the idea of, “We don’t have to do this if we don’t want to, but if we wanted to, what would it be?”
This pondering took the series in a new direction, and Lindelof took the ideas in his head to HBO. They decided to go forward with the new take on the series.
What can fans expect to see when the show returns on Sunday night? Lindelof teased that to The Hollywood Reporter, as well.
“We were really interested in this idea of breaking free of the grief cycle. I wanted to watch a show about people who were trying to feel better, versus people who are stuck in this washer cycle of mystery.”
Are you happy that Lindelof decided to continue working on The Leftovers? Tell us what you think.
Great show. Would have been so disappointed if it had ended after one season. Season 2 is different but great as well. At first I was a little iffy but had a feeling it would be a mistake to stop watching. Always love seeing writers, directors and networks take chances on shows that don’t fall into the easy, traditional and mostly boring formats most television series follow. Lindelof is great at approaching a story in creative new ways but still keeping it and the characters compelling. I hope he continues going against the grain.
Wow when the show’s own writer asks if there’s a compelling reason to continue, that has to make you wonder. I watched the first four episodes of season one and realized this was not story-telling. This show should be cancelled.
I saw HBO say three episodes left. But that was it. Three left for the season or forever as in cancelled?
Awesome show!
This show was hard to stick with through Season 1 but I did because I planned to write an article on it, Resurrection, and The Returned, but the latter two shows were canceled and so I dropped the article idea. I did feel that The Leftovers had a powerful and satisfying season finale. I was looking forward to seeing the whole Garvey family reunited but I read about what is in store for Season 2, and that is not going to happen. The whole idea of Kevin, Nora, Jill, and the adopted baby moving to some town in Texas where… Read more »
You won’t watch because of your prediction? How do you know your ‘prediction’ is correct unless you watch it. HBO is famous for fixing the small problems and making a series better. I will be anxiously waiting to see where this show goes. You cannot deny the quality of acting and writing.
I don’t make decisions based on my own predictions! My decision not to watch and my prediction it will fail are both based on the low expectations I have for the direction the show is going in Season 2. The difference between you and me is you apparently really enjoyed Season 1. I was just hanging in there, and the changes they have announced do not build on anything I found interesting in Season 1. I couldn’t care less about Kevin and Nora’s relationship. But if you and enough other viewers do, and the show succeeds, I’m happy for you… Read more »
“Too many good shows”…seriously? Not saying there aren’t good shows but the vast majority are unoriginal, safe crap that’s easily digestible by the masses. I’m no entertainment snob either. I like all kinds of shows, some popular, some not. Unfortunately the most creative shows with non-traditional characters or story telling approaches (not that those characteristics alone make a show good) most often don’t last long enough. I’m not knocking you or anyone else for not getting into this show but I do not agree with your statement that there are too many good shows on. I could go back and… Read more »
Since I’m the one who said, “There are just too many good shows on TV these days to watch something that does not sound interesting to you personally,” and you John Edwards can’t imagine what shows I could be talking about, I’ll list for you the shows I consider good enough to watch: Homeland, Tyrant, Fargo, The Americans, Bloodline, Outlander, Madam Secretary, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, The Returned (original French version). That’s ten high quality dramas and comedies right there, and I haven’t even mentioned another six or so guilty pleasures that I watch, such as Arrow and Daredevil.… Read more »
You’re correct, it is the golden age of TV and I enjoy most of those shows u listed. I’m glad to see ur gonna give the leftovers another shot cause the outline of this season doesn’t compare with what’s going on inside. So so compelling it gets me choked up every week
This show continuously amazes me!!! You should not go by what you hear. This is the most compelling show on TV!!!!
Glad to see it’s coming back, can’t wait to see the direction it’s going…