The Strain Renewed for Season 2 by FX

FX has announced that vampire drama The Strain has been renewed for a 13-episode second season that will premiere next summer.

“We’ve never had any doubts about The Strain,” said John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions. “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.”

Based on the novels by Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and adapted for television by del Toro, Chuck Hogan (The Town), and Carlton Cuse (Lost), The Strain tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), head of the CDC Canary Team in New York and one of the first to discover a deadly outbreak after an unusual incident on an airplane. Tasked with containing the outbreak, which bears similarities to an ancient strain of vampirism, Ephraim and the rest of his team must save humanity from being devoured from within.

In addition to Stoll, The Strain stars David Bradley (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), Mia Maestro (Frida), Miguel Gomez (Louie), Natalie Brown (Sophie), and Richard Sammel (Inglorious Basterds). The show’s renewal is the first decision FX has made about its current summer slate, which also includes crime drama The Bridge and comedies Married and You’re the Worst.

The Strain airs Sundays at 10:00 on FX. The second season of the show is said to incorporate elements of the second Strain novel by del Toro.

Have you been watching The Strain? If you’re a fan of the novels, which plot points are you most looking forward to seeing next season? Do you think the show should quicken its pace or are you okay with the slow burn of the first half of the season?