Image Credit score: Netflix
Effectively, that didn’t take lengthy! Simply 24 hours after our newest replace on The Watcher Season 2 was lastly gearing up for manufacturing, Netflix has formally pulled again the curtain, confirming the hit thriller sequence is certainly coming again with some key new castings, which tears aside our concept from yesterday.
In a newly launched press launch, Netflix confirmed that manufacturing is getting underway this Fall in New York. Nonetheless, whereas our manufacturing timeline and crew protection had been spot on, Netflix dropped an enormous bombshell concerning the solid that fully upends what we thought we knew concerning the plot and that it’s not an anthology.
Let’s break down the official information, what we obtained proper, what we obtained mistaken, and what we’re nonetheless ready to listen to about.
What We Obtained Proper
First, let’s pat ourselves on the again for a second. As we reported yesterday, the cameras are formally rolling this Fall, and filming is certainly going down in New York.
We additionally nailed the artistic group. Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan are again as creators and government producers, with the PR formally dubbing Brennan because the Showrunner for season 2.
Moreover, our intel on the expansive government producing group was largely appropriate. Naomi Watts has formally been elevated to Government Producer, alongside returning EPs Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman, Eric Newman, and Bryan Unkeless. Our sources additionally accurately pinpointed Karl Frankenfield and Tanase Popa’s heavy involvement, who are actually formally credited as EPs as effectively. (The official PR additionally provides Crystle Roberson Dorsey, Nissa Diederich, Scott Robertson, and Todd Kubrak to the EP roster).
What We Obtained Incorrect: The Brannocks Are Again!
Photos courtesy of Netflix / IMDb
Right here is the place Netflix threw us an enormous curveball.
Yesterday, primarily based on casting grids and loglines, we urged that season 2 was pivoting to a complete anthology format—leaving the Brannock household behind in favor of a brand new storyline centered round a terrifying school fraternity.
That’s not correct, although, because the Brannocks are usually not finished.
Netflix’s official announcement explicitly states that the core season 1 solid is returning. Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale will reprise their roles as Nora and Dean Brannock. Additionally returning are Margo Martindale because the neighborhood busybody Maureen (“Mo”) and Isabel Gravitt because the Brannocks’ teenage daughter, Ellie Brannock.
Connecting the Dots: What We’re Nonetheless Ready to Hear
So, how does a school fraternity storyline match into the persevering with saga of the Brannock household? We’ve got a reasonably sturdy concept.
Provided that Isabel Gravitt is returning as Ellie Brannock, it’s extremely possible she is heading off to school. If Ellie is a freshman, it completely aligns with the casting breakdown we scooped yesterday for “Jane,” a sweet-faced school freshman whose evening turns into absolute terror. Will Ellie get twisted up with Raj the pledge and Stash the “douchey” frat bro? Are the Brannocks transferring to a school city to flee the trauma of their dream residence, solely to be stalked by a brand new Watcher on campus?
Whereas we wait to see how the frat storyline weaves into the Brannock household drama, there are a number of different issues we’re retaining an eye fixed out for:
Will the remainder of the neighborhood return? There isn’t a point out but of Jennifer Coolidge (Karen Calhoun), Richard Type (Mitch), or Mia Farrow (Pearl).
A Huge Slate for Murphy and Netflix
It’s no shock Netflix is raring to get The Watcher again on our screens. The streamer used at this time’s announcement to flex simply how large their drama and true-crime slates have turn into.
Per Netflix, Season 1 of The Watcher spent 5 weeks on the International High 10 English TV record, hitting the highest 10 in over 90 international locations. In the meantime, Murphy’s Monster franchise stays an absolute juggernaut. Netflix famous that the Monster franchise has surpassed 320M views throughout its seasons, with the presently airing fourth installment, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, already racking up 26.6M views and dominating the #1 spot globally.
We are going to preserve you up to date as extra official information (and hopefully some casting bulletins for these fraternity roles) drops for The Watcher Season 2.
Are you thrilled to see the Brannock household returning? How do you suppose they’ll tie into a school frat nightmare? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
