WGN AMERICA’S SPELLBINDING DRAMA ‘SALEM’
RENEWED FOR SECOND SEASON
-- Ten All-New Episodes Remain This Season, Sundays at 10:00 PM ET --
LOS ANGELES (May 5, 2014) – WGN America has picked up a second season of its first original, scripted drama “Salem,” it was announced today by Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios. “Salem,” which is being renewed three episodes into its first season, is produced by Fox 21 and co-created and written by Brannon Braga and Adam Simon, who also serve as executive producers with Jeff Kwatinetz and Josh Barry of Prospect Park and David Von Ancken. The 13-episode second season will begin production later this year for a 2015 debut.
Starring Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Xander Berkeley, Ashley Madekwe, Tamzin Merchant, Elise Eberle and Iddo Goldberg, “Salem” continues for ten episodes, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT.
“At WGN America, we are committed to delivering compelling, brand-defining programming rich with fascinating characters and ‘Salem’ has done just that,” said Cherniss. “Brannon Braga, Adam Simon, the talented cast and our great partners at Fox 21 have opened up an intriguing world that has captivated viewers. We look forward to bringing more great storytelling, scares and surprises to viewers as the saga unfolds.”
“I could not be more thrilled or more proud of our cast, writers and crew who made this show come alive,” said Braga. “The fans have been fantastic and we plan to continue keeping them on the edge of their seats.”
“Salem’s” debut premiered with more than 3.4 million Total Viewers and 1.5 million Adults 18-49 in time-shifted Live + 7 viewing for its premiere night on April 20. Through its first two telecasts in Live + 3 viewing, “Salem” has averaged nearly 1.7 million Total Viewers and 806,000 among Adults 18-49, a +776% increase over the network’s Adults 18-49 season-to-date average on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.
“Salem” boldly re-imagines the infamous witch trials in the 17th century Massachusetts town. The storyline follows Captain John Alden (West) returning from war to his hometown of Salem where he finds it in the grip of a witch panic. Crushed that his lost love, Mary Sibley (Montgomery), is now married to his old nemesis, John is unaware she is also secretly the ruling witch of Salem, and her witches are running the witch trials.
In Sunday’s fourth episode, “Survivors," an old adversary of Alden's arrives in Salem with secrets that could destroy him.
[Source: Nielsen Media Research]
# # #
WGN America
WGN America, the flagship network of Tribune Broadcasting Company, is nationally distributed in 72 million homes via cable, satellite and telco, with entertainment programming including the original, scripted series “Salem,” premiering April 20, 2014, “Manhattan,” premiering in July 2014 and “Ten Commandments,” along with first-run syndicated series, blockbuster movies and live sports. Through Tribune Studios, the creative development arm of Tribune Company, original content is produced for WGN America and Tribune local stations nationwide.
RENEWED FOR SECOND SEASON
-- Ten All-New Episodes Remain This Season, Sundays at 10:00 PM ET --
LOS ANGELES (May 5, 2014) – WGN America has picked up a second season of its first original, scripted drama “Salem,” it was announced today by Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios. “Salem,” which is being renewed three episodes into its first season, is produced by Fox 21 and co-created and written by Brannon Braga and Adam Simon, who also serve as executive producers with Jeff Kwatinetz and Josh Barry of Prospect Park and David Von Ancken. The 13-episode second season will begin production later this year for a 2015 debut.
Starring Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Xander Berkeley, Ashley Madekwe, Tamzin Merchant, Elise Eberle and Iddo Goldberg, “Salem” continues for ten episodes, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT.
“At WGN America, we are committed to delivering compelling, brand-defining programming rich with fascinating characters and ‘Salem’ has done just that,” said Cherniss. “Brannon Braga, Adam Simon, the talented cast and our great partners at Fox 21 have opened up an intriguing world that has captivated viewers. We look forward to bringing more great storytelling, scares and surprises to viewers as the saga unfolds.”
“I could not be more thrilled or more proud of our cast, writers and crew who made this show come alive,” said Braga. “The fans have been fantastic and we plan to continue keeping them on the edge of their seats.”
“Salem’s” debut premiered with more than 3.4 million Total Viewers and 1.5 million Adults 18-49 in time-shifted Live + 7 viewing for its premiere night on April 20. Through its first two telecasts in Live + 3 viewing, “Salem” has averaged nearly 1.7 million Total Viewers and 806,000 among Adults 18-49, a +776% increase over the network’s Adults 18-49 season-to-date average on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.
“Salem” boldly re-imagines the infamous witch trials in the 17th century Massachusetts town. The storyline follows Captain John Alden (West) returning from war to his hometown of Salem where he finds it in the grip of a witch panic. Crushed that his lost love, Mary Sibley (Montgomery), is now married to his old nemesis, John is unaware she is also secretly the ruling witch of Salem, and her witches are running the witch trials.
In Sunday’s fourth episode, “Survivors," an old adversary of Alden's arrives in Salem with secrets that could destroy him.
[Source: Nielsen Media Research]
# # #
WGN America
WGN America, the flagship network of Tribune Broadcasting Company, is nationally distributed in 72 million homes via cable, satellite and telco, with entertainment programming including the original, scripted series “Salem,” premiering April 20, 2014, “Manhattan,” premiering in July 2014 and “Ten Commandments,” along with first-run syndicated series, blockbuster movies and live sports. Through Tribune Studios, the creative development arm of Tribune Company, original content is produced for WGN America and Tribune local stations nationwide.
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Yes! I'm still two episodes behind, but I"m so happy!
ReplyDeleteWell, that was fast!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am really loving where the show is going, and have loved every episode so far. I really hope this show sparks a true witch comeback, now that Coven is done we have only this and WoEE, and they are so different from each other I feel we could have at least one more. ;)
I haven't given it a shot yet. I guess now I will.
ReplyDeleteYay, congrats to the cast & crew!
ReplyDeleteWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat ? Oo
ReplyDeletebest news
ReplyDeleteYES!!! Love the dark nature of this show. AHS Coven was a huge disappointment (at least for me) and Salem is doing quite well making the witch stuff scary and creepy.
ReplyDeleteGreat news, it has potential.
ReplyDeleteCable has been doing 13 for years, what's the difference?
ReplyDeleteDang I still need to watch this show. I was going to wait until Summer when I had less to watch. Is it so good that it's worth starting it now instead?
ReplyDeleteIf you like supernatural/fantasy/horror... yes.
ReplyDeleteYES! I love this show. It is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think it's way too early, I haven't even decided if I'm keeping it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so, it alright, speially if it's your kind of show but I don't think you'll be spoiled or miss anything if you wait.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one where you could actually like the characters. LOL. I totally agree with you, I still think there's one more witchy side I'd love to see portrayed in a show.
ReplyDeleteSerious question here:
ReplyDeleteShould i be watching this?
A lot of the programmes finish up over the next couple of weeks so I will need new stuff to fill the void.
Not much of a difference between 13 and 12 but it is possible that even a 13 episode season might have one "filler" episode. I like Justified for example, but the past season was probably the show's weakest season overall and personally I would have been fine with one less Justified episode. Obviously one could argue that a 12 episode season could also contain one "filler episode" but the point is why does nearly every cable show have to be 13.
ReplyDeleteSame here, can't wait for WoEE to return. I consider Penny Dreadful to be my next "witch" series. I'm excited for that to air in the next coming week.
ReplyDeleteMy exact thought when I read that :D
ReplyDeleteIf by "filler" you mean being able to take a breather and focus on side characters or some aspect of the universe that they may not have time to explore with a smaller amount of episodes, I am more than okay with one or two "filler" episodes per season. The term is misused IMO, and some shows could benefit from a "filler". Sleepy Hollow for instance, which was my favorite new show last fall, and while I don't want it to be extended to a "full season", I'd love to have a slower paced episode where we can actually get a feel for the characters. The X-Files best episodes were all "filler" episodes not relating to the story at all, and Fringe did some excellent episodes I saw fans call "filler" and also Buffy's best episodes often didn't directly relate to the overall arc of the season.
ReplyDeleteSo I agree while true "filler" episodes are no fun, just because an episode doesn't move the story in an urgent matter doesn't mean it is a waste of space. (See SPN for how NOT to do a good "filler") 13 seems like a good number for most premises IMO, GoT would benefit from having more than 10 per year.
I liked the pilot for PD and will watch all of it but it doesn't *seem* like there will be any witchcraft going on, although I could be and hope I am wrong. :)
ReplyDeleteThe pilot of Penny Dreadful is amazing. It isn't exactly a 'witch's series but it does horror and creepy in a very good way.
ReplyDeleteI always am jealous when others get to see the pilot earlier than I get to:( Glad you liked it. :) If they do go into the witchy stuff, I don't expect witchcraft like WoEE. Judging based off the promos (which can be deceiving), I expect more darker spirited things and mysteries to appear. Maybe seances?…Is it inaccurate to describe the "witch" part of it like a horror, posh, Victorian gypsy series? If not a good witch genre, I expect fantastic characters, as i'm madly in love with Eva Green and her characters. I'm also excited to see Timothy Dalton and Billie Piper and among others in different roles.
ReplyDeleteYou will not be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteDark spirited things. Check
Mysteries. Check
Horror. Check.
Victorian. Check.
And Eva Green as Vanessa Ives is an amazing character. So, check.
Oh man, don't tell me you've see the pilot already too:(
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd and 3rd improved on the pilot IMO.
ReplyDeleteI think so. I have 15 shows on Sunday night and it's one of the few I actually watch on Sunday night. (Yes I know that's ridiculous)
ReplyDeleteYeah, don't get me wrong, I'm loving it, but the third episode aired yesterday, isn't it a bit premature? raiting's could still sink, although I'm keeping my fingers crossed so they won't...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm surprisingly enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteDon't expect much in historical accuracy though, but it feels like a darker/horror themed Witches of East End.
It's worth giving it the 4 episode test in my opinion.
Yes! Love The Whole Cast Of Salem, This Is An Amazing Show.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I feel!
ReplyDeleteYeah.. I mean if they have so much confidence why not. Though I have to say I will wait for the upcoming episodes. So far it is a great show but we'll see..
ReplyDelete