Netflix's 'Making A Murderer' Season 2 Is In Production
Netflix this morning has announced that executive producers/directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos are already in production on new episodes of Making a Murderer.
According to Netflix, the new installments will "take fans of the acclaimed documentary series back inside the story of convicted murderer Steven Avery, and his co-defendant, Brendan Dassey, as their respective investigative and legal teams challenge their convictions and the State fights to have the convictions and life sentences upheld."
This next chapter will provide an in-depth look at the high-stakes post-conviction process, as well as, the emotional toll the process takes on all involved. The episodes will offer exclusive access to Avery's new lawyer Kathleen Zellner and Dassey's legal team, led by Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin, as well as intimate access to the families and characters close to the case.
The documentary true crime television series became an unexpected phenomenon on the streaming service, leading to six Emmy nominations. Ever since the show hit the cultural zeitgiest, the filmmakers had hinted that they may return to continue to tell this story as it plays out.
In January Ricciardi was unsure if they would come back for a second season, citing the serious time commitments, "It's just apparent to us we need time to think about what we would commit ourselves to next." In March Ricciardi said:
From our perspective this story is obviously not over. It's real life and (Avery's and Brendan Dassey's) cases are both still pending. We have no idea when the magistrate will make a decision in Brendan's case. We do know that two potential outcomes are that the judge could order Brendan's release or he could order a new trial. So we are on the edge of seats about that. To the extent that there are significant developments, we would like to continue documenting this (case).
I'm not sure it will be as compelling or shocking now that most of America is following the story of Steve Avery in real time, but the filmmakers will of course be up close and personal, getting a much closer perspective.
It's also unclear how long production will take on the second season, as the first season was produced over the course of ten years. It's unlikely that Netflix is entering into a ten-year deal to produce this television sequel, and this season will not be as expansive as the first edition. We've previously rounded up a bunch of the popular fan theories and evidence from the muder trial that wasn't presented in the first season. We also reviewed the first season on an episode of the /Filmcast.
The full Netflix press release follows:
NETFLIX ANNOUNCES NEW EPISODES OF MAKING A MURDERER SEASON ONE GARNERED 6 EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS, INCLUDING OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY OR NON-FICTION SERIES
Beverly Hills, Calif., July 19, 2016 – Netflix today announces that Executive Producers / Directors, Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, are in production on new episodes of the Emmy-nominated Making a Murderer. The new installments will take fans of the acclaimed documentary series back inside the story of convicted murderer Steven Avery, and his co-defendant, Brendan Dassey, as their respective investigative and legal teams challenge their convictions and the State fights to have the convictions and life sentences upheld.
This next chapter will provide an in-depth look at the high-stakes post-conviction process, as well as, the emotional toll the process takes on all involved.
The episodes will offer exclusive access to Avery's new lawyer Kathleen Zellner and Dassey's legal team, led by Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin, as well as intimate access to the families and characters close to the case.
"We are extremely grateful for the tremendous response to, and support of, the series. The viewers' interest and attention has ensured that the story is not over, and we are fully committed to continuing to document events as they unfold" said creators, Ricciardi and Demos.
"Because of Ricciardi's and Demos' incredible vision, commitment and keen eye, audiences around the globe became completely captivated by the personal stories of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey and the unique lens their experiences provide into the criminal justice system" said Lisa Nishimura, Netflix VP of Original Documentary Programming. "We're thrilled to be continuing our longstanding relationship with the filmmakers, and look forward to giving our global viewers eagerly anticipated updates on this story."
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