FX Renews 'The Strain' for a Second Season

FX made its first serious foray into Sunday nights with The Strain, a supernatural horror drama from director Guillermo del Toro and Lost showrunner Carlton Cuse.The show has proven critically divisive, but it has been a unqualified commercial success for the network, becoming cable’s #1 New Series of 2014 among Adults 18-49.

So it's no surprise that FX has renewed The Strain for a second season for 13 episodes to air in 2015. The news was announced in a press release by FX CEO John Landgraf, who stated he was always confident about breakout potential of the series, which is based on del Toro's best-selling book series, and stars House of Cards alum -- and future Ant-Man villain -- Corey Stoll in the lead role.

"We've never had any doubts about The Strain," Landgraf explained. "Working with Guillermo del Toro, Carlton Cuse, and the brilliant cast led by Corey Stoll has been everything we had hoped it would be and more. It is thrilling when you have a show that is a creative and commercial hit, which is a rare accomplishment in this increasingly crowded marketplace. We look forward having it on FX for as long as Carlton, Guillermo and Chuck Hogan need to tell this epic tale."

"I am thrilled! Another season to spread the virus!” said del Toro, who directed the pilot and co-wrote the best-selling books The Strain with Chuck Hogan. “Working with Carlton, Chuck and FX has been immensely rewarding and we have such sights to unveil in the upcoming episodes—the blood hits the fan on this one, mankind becomes an endangered species."

Added Cuse, "It's been immensely satisfying over the last year-and-a-half to work with the incredible team at FX, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan to bring The Strain to life. I am grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears (but mostly blood) given to the project by all involved, and I could not be more excited to continue telling this epic story."

Seven all-new episodes still remain for Season 1, but the announcement of Season 2 was quickly followed by details on the upcoming release of the first season on home video platforms: all Episodes of the first season available on FXNOW to authenticated subscribers, while everyone else will have to wait for the DVD and Blu-ray release on December 2.

I was a pretty big fan of the pilot episode, although my schedule prevented me from being able to keep up with it. But if the series has been delivering on the potential of that first episode, then this is good news for fans of supernatural horror.

But what do you think of The Strain renewal? Sound off in the comments!

Credit: FX