AMC renews horror anthology series The Terror for a second season

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

The first season of The Terror, based upon Dan Simmons' novel of the same name, followed two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, as they departed from England on a perilous voyage into uncharted territory to discover the Northwest Passage. After becoming trapped in the ice, the frozen and isolated crew found themselves faced with treacherous conditions, limited resources, and a deadly unseen terror stalking them. I was a big fan of the series, but as the bloody and terrorifying tale came to a close, there was the question of where the show could go next.

Thankfully, we'll get the chance to find out as AMC has renewed The Terror for a second season which will tell the story of "a specter that haunts the Japanese-American community during World War II in the homes of Southern California, the internment camps where many were held during the war, and in the Pacific theater." Sounds interesting, and quite the change from the first season of the series. Unfortunately David Kajganich (SUSPIRA) and Soo Hugh (The Killing), who served as showrunners on the first season, will not be returning. The second season will be created and executive produced by Alexander Woo (True Blood) and Max Borenstein (KONG: SKULL ISLAND), with Woo serving as showrunner. In a statement, AMC president of original programming David Madden said:

'The Terror' has given us the opportunity to take a unique approach to the anthology format. We loved the concept of beginning with an actual historical event and overlaying it with a fictional horror element, and we are immensely proud of this show’s combination of cinematic scope and intimate character work. We are thrilled to announce a second season and dramatize one of the most chilling and important events of the 20th Century, guided by the vision of the gifted Alexander Woo and Max Borenstein. Our deep appreciation goes to the persistently creative and passionate showrunning team of David Kajganich and Soo Hugh, the incomparable Ridley Scott and the rest of the producing team, and the outstanding cast led by Jared Harris for launching this concept and leaving us on the precipice of terrifying new adventures as we continue with the next chapter of 'The Terror.'

Alexander Woo added, "I’m deeply honored to be telling a story set in this extraordinary period. We hope to convey the abject terror of the historical experience in a way that feels modern and relevant to the present moment. And the prospect of doing so with a majority Asian and Asian-American cast is both thrilling and humbling." If the second season is even half as good as the first was, you can bet that I'll be watching.

What did you think of the first season of The Terror? Are you down for another installment?