Amazon still lags behind Netflix in the arena of original programming, but critical darling and crowd-pleasing seriesThe Man in the High Castleis getting a second season order. That comes as good news to fans who watched the 10-episode first season run starringAlexa Davalos,Luke Kleintank,Rufus Sewell,Rupert Evans, andDJ Quallsamong others. Certainly one season alone wasn’t enough to explore the alternate history ofPhilip K. Dick’s1962 novel, which sees the Nazis and Imperial Japan in control of the United States after the Allied Powers lost World War II, so now creatorsFrank SpotnitzandRidley Scottwill get another chance to delve further into this world.
Deadline reports that Amazon has ordered a second season, which will stream next year. It joins the studio’s other seriesBosch,Alpha House,Mozart in the Jungle, thevery recently renewedHand of God, andTransparent(which is also renewed for a third season) as adult shows that have enjoyed at least a second season order. [Update:Red Oaksjoins as well.] As forThe Man in the High Castle,our ownChris Cabincalled the series “quite engaging"in his review, giving it three out of five stars. It currently enjoys an 8.3 rating onIMDband a 95% rating onRotten Tomatoes, if those metrics do anything for you.
If you haven’t givenThe Man in the High Castlea chance just yet, be sure to make some time for it over the holidays. While it’s not exactly feel-good, holiday television, it’s a well-cast and exquisitely designed series that raises some very interesting questions about an America that could have been. Like the best alt-history out there, the themes of terrorism, nationalism, duty, loyalty, and rebellion are quite compelling on their own, but resonate surprisingly strongly given the current state of the world. Happy watching!
Here’s the official synopsis forThe Man in the High Castle:
Based on Philip K. Dick’s award-winning novel and adapted by Frank Spotnitz, The Man in the High Castle explores what it would be like if the Allied Powers had lost WWII, and Japan and Germany ruled the United States. Starring Rufus Sewell (John Adams), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars) and Alexa Davalos (Mob City). Executive produced by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner).
