“We are thrilled to bring back The Leftovers for a second season with the exceptional talents of Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta,” says HBO President Michael Lombardo. “It has been truly exciting to see the overwhelming response to their provocative and original storytelling. We look forward to continuing the journey as the show delves deeper into the lives of those who remain.”

The Leftovers joins a 2015 HBO lineup that includes new seasons of True Detective, Girls, Looking, Veep, Silicon Valley, and Game of Thrones, as well as the premieres of drama Utopia and comedies The Brink and Ballers. Over the past year or two, the network has been undergoing programming transition, as this calendar year alone it’ll say goodbye to Boardwalk Empire, The Newsroom, and True Blood. Couple that with the loss of Treme, Family Tree, Hello Ladies, and Eastbound & Down and HBO is very much on the hunt for its next generation of critical gems and ratings hits.

Based on the Tom Perrotta novel of the same name and adapted for television by Lindelof (Lost), The Leftovers follows a small New York town as they attempt to move on after a global Rapture-like event caused 2% of the world’s population to disappear. The series stars the likes of Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Carrie Coon, Ann Dowd, and Chris Zylka.

The Leftovers airs Sundays at 10:00 on HBO. With the show’s steady ratings and critical acclaim, it seems likely to stay in the summer for its second season, though no decision about that has been made as of yet.

Have you been watching The Leftovers? Where would you like to see the show go during its second season? Which characters most deserve spotlight episodes like the ones Nora and Matt received earlier this season?

The post The Leftovers Renewed for Season 2 by HBO appeared first on TVHackr.

On the series premiere of The Leftovers, the major worry surrounding Heroes Day concerns the Guilty Remnant, a white-clad, chain smoking cult who has taken a vow of silence following the global disappearance. They’ve caused disruptions around the town before and could turn Heroes Day from a solemn and respectful memorial to those Mapleton lost into something more political and disruptive, so not all those in charge of Mapleton think Heroes Day is a smart idea. However, the town cannot afford to bow to the whims of the Guilty Remnant, meaning that regardless of what the cult does on Heroes Day and otherwise, Mapleton must keep pushing forward and continuing to piece itself back together following unspeakable tragedy.

The series premiere of The Leftovers airs tonight at 10:00 on HBO.

Will you be watching The Leftovers? What do you think happened to the 2% of the population that vanished? Will we ever see someone who disappeared return?

The post The Leftovers Series Premiere Sneak Peeks: The World Disappears appeared first on TVHackr.

Listed below are the dates, times, titles, descriptions, and encore information for the first five episodes of The Leftovers.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 (10:00-11:15 p.m. ET/PT) – “Pilot” 
Three years after millions of people – some 2% of the world’s population – vanished into thin air, residents of Mapleton, NY weigh the pros and cons of a “Heroes Day” tribute to the local “Departed.” Attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy in his strained community, police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) faces additional challenges at home with his daughter, Jill (Margaret Qualley), who’s lost in a cloud of apathy with her friend Aimee (Emily Meade), and son, Tom (Chris Zylka), who has gravitated to a cult led by the charismatic Holy Wayne (Paterson Joseph). Also of concern is a silent, white-clad group of chain-smoking men and women called the Guilty Remnant, who team up in pairs to stake out people and places around town. As tension in Mapleton escalates, the lives of Laurie (Amy Brenneman), an unexpected member of the Guilty Remnant, and Meg (Liv Tyler), a recently engaged young woman, converge.
Other HBO playdates: June 29 (12:45 a.m., 3:30 a.m.) and 30 (12:10 a.m.), and July 1 (7:45 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 3 (10:00 p.m., midnight), 4 (8:30 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 5 (5:00 p.m., 10:15 p.m.), 11 (7:45 p.m.) and 18 (6:45 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: June 30 (10:00 p.m.) and July 4 (1:35 a.m.) and 5 (10:45 a.m., 7:45 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JULY 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) – “Penguin One, Us Zero”
In the wake of a series of disturbing encounters, Kevin pays a visit to a therapist. Tom finds himself in a precarious situation with Christine (Annie Q), a favorite of Wayne’s. A frustrated Meg is asked to part with pieces of her past. Jill and Aimee tail Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), who became a local celebrity when her entire family disappeared in the Departure.
Other HBO playdates: July 6 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 7 (12:30 a.m.), 8 (8:00 p.m., 11:15 p.m.), 10 (10:00 p.m., midnight), 11 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (9:30 p.m.) and 18 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 7 (10:00 p.m.), 11 (1:00 a.m.) and 12 (11:30 a.m., 8:00 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JULY 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) – “Two Boats and a Helicopter”
In the face of dwindling church attendance and threats on his life, Reverend Matt Jamison (Christopher Eccleston) continues to preach his gospel: that many who disappeared in the Departure were sinners and not saints. Matt’s campaign is detoured when he learns he may lose the church to foreclosure, forcing him to launch a desperate, last-minute plan to come up with the cash to keep it.
Other HBO playdates: July 13 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 14 (12:15 a.m.), 15 (8:00 p.m., 11:15 p.m.), 17 (10:00 p.m., midnight), 18 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (10:00 p.m.) and 25 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 14 (10:00 p.m.), 18 (2:15 a.m.) and 19 (9:50 a.m., 8:00 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JULY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) – “B.J. and the A.C.”
A holiday display goes wanting, sending Kevin scurrying to find out who is responsible. Tom and Christine run into trouble at a hospital and on the road. Kevin retrieves a surprise detainee from a neighboring police station, and receives unexpected visitors at home. The Guilty Remnant put its stamp on the holiday season.
Other HBO playdates: July 20 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 21 (11:30 p.m.), 22 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 24 (10:00 p.m., midnight), 25 (9:00 p.m.) and 26 (1:00 a.m.), and Aug. 1 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 21 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (2:30 a.m.) and 26 (11:15 a.m., 8:00 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JULY 27 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) – “Gladys”
Laurie’s resolve is put to the test in the wake of a brutal hate crime. After his latest initiatives to maintain the peace in Mapleton fall short, Kevin turns down an outside offer to rid the town of its problems. Matt brings his pulpit to the street. Meg takes on a new role.
Other HBO playdates: July 27 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 28 (12:50 a.m.), 29 (8:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 31 (10:00 p.m., midnight), and Aug. 1 (9:00 p.m.), 2 (12:30 a.m.) and 8 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdate: July 28 (10:00 p.m.)

The Leftovers premieres Sunday, June 29th at 10:00 on HBO. You can check out trailers for the series here and here, as well as a series of teasers here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IfTQAWnfvc

The post The Leftovers Season 1: Spoilers for July Episodes appeared first on TVHackr.

Starring Justin Theroux (American Psycho) as Kevin Garvey, the chief of police of a small town called Mapleton, The Leftovers tells the story of a global Rapture that sees 2% of the world’s population vanishing without explanation. Those remaining will have to come to terms with what happened and work through the grief they experience at losing their loved ones, lest they fall prey to the snowballing paranoia and hopelessness that threatens to swallow their town whole.

In addition to Theroux, The Leftovers stars Michael Gaston (Inception) as Dean, a man who violently addresses his frustration with the way things have changed; Ann Dowd (Compliance) as Patti, the leader of the local chapter of Guilty Remnant; Chris Zylka (Twisted) as Tom, the college dropout son of Kevin and Laurie (Amy Brenneman) who takes refuge with a mysterious guru; Carrie Coon (One in a Million) as Nora, a mother and wife who suddenly becomes neither after the Rapture; and Emily Meade (That Awkward Moment) as Amy, a free-spirited high schooler who isn’t fazed by the events of the Rapture.

The series premiere of The Leftovers is set to air Sunday, June 29th at 10:00 on HBO. You can check out an additional trailer here, as well as a collection of teasers here.

Will you be watching The Leftovers? How do you think a show like this can go on for multiple seasons without tipping its hand or completely rebooting? Which trailer/teaser has been your favorite thus far?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN3aHP3lMl0

The post The Leftovers Trailer: Please Come Home appeared first on TVHackr.

The series follows the aftermath of a Rapture-like event that causes 2% of the world’s population to mysteriously vanish, focusing specifically on a small town through the eyes of its chief of police Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux). The entire town is understandably thrown for a loop by the traumatic event, with The Leftovers showcasing the grief they must deal with from the loss of their loved ones, the snowballing paranoia and hopelessness that develops when no clear answer for the event is evident, and the ways in which those strong enough to think about moving on with their lives do just that.

In addition to Theroux, The Leftovers stars Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) as Meg, a waitress who becomes the target of a cult; Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy) as Kevin’s wife Laurie, a woman who left her entire life behind to join a mysterious cult; Carrie Coon (One in a Million) as Nora Durst, a wife and mother who loses her child and husband in the Rapture; Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) as former reverend Matt Jamison; Ann Dowd (Compliance) as Patti Levin, the leader of the local chapter of Guilty Remnant; and Chris Zylka (The Secret Circle) as Kevin and Laurie’s son Tom, a college dropout who has taken refuge with a mysterious guru.

The series premiere of The Leftovers is set to air Sunday, June 29th at 10:00 on HBO. You can check out a trailer for the series here.

Will you be watching The Leftovers? Do the teasers capture the mood of the novel any better or worse than the trailer does? How do you think a show like this can sustain itself throughout multiple seasons?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEJmDwJULXY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl5XuQ81E8g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znkM3xyKCvw

The post The Leftovers Teasers: Nobody’s Ready to Feel Better appeared first on TVHackr.

From Damon Lindelof (Lost), The Leftovers takes place in the wake of a global “Rapture” that sees 2% of the world’s population vanish without a trace. Those left behind must figure out why they weren’t chosen, make peace with the loss of their loved ones, and attempt to move on from what will surely be a life-altering event. The series is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta, who is listed as an executive producer.

The Leftovers stars Justin Theroux (American Psycho) as Chief of Police Kevin Garvey, a father of two who is trying to keep the small town he lives in as normal as possible in the wake of the “Rapture”; Amy Brenneman (Private Practice) as Kevin’s wife Laurie, who recently left her entire life behind to join a mysterious cult; Carrie Coon (One in a Million) as Nora Durst, a wife and mother who loses both her child and husband in the “Rapture” and must adapt to losing the people who formed her sense of identity; Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) as Matt Jamison, a former reverend and current editor of a self-published tabloid; Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) as Meg, a woman about to get married who becomes the target of a cult; and Amanda Warren (Seven Psychopaths) as Lucy Warburton, the town mayor.

The Leftovers is set to premiere Sunday, June 29th at 10:00 on HBO.

Will you be watching The Leftovers? Do you think the show will make for a compatible lead-out for True Blood? How should the television adaptation differentiate itself from the novel it’s based on?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shn1mPejr_4

The post The Leftovers Trailer: Stop Wasting Your Breath appeared first on TVHackr.

Adapted for television by Damon Lindelof, The Leftovers is based on the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta, who also serves as executive producer on the series. and tells the story of a Rapturous event occurring and those who were left behind in a suburban community. To be the fourth new HBO series of 2014 following True Detective, Looking, and Silicon Valley, The Leftovers stars the likes of Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder), Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy, Reign), Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), and Ann Dowd (Compliance).

True Blood’s conclusion is the first of three planned series finales for HBO in 2014. After the Emmy-nominated horror series takes its final bite this coming fall, both Prohibition drama Boardwalk Empire and Aaron Sorkin vehicle The Newsroom will end their five and three season runs, respectively. HBO has already made the first steps toward replacing their considerable roster by picking comedies The Brink and Ballers and drama Utopia up to series for bows in 2015.

You can check out the first teaser for True Blood‘s seventh season below.

How do you think True Blood will end? Will The Leftovers be a solid match for the expiring vampire series? Should The Leftovers stick more closely with the events of the novel or should it forge its own path after a while?

The post HBO Announces Premiere Dates for True Blood and The Leftovers appeared first on TVHackr.

The Leftovers tells the story of a world where 2% of the population disappears without warning and what happens to those who didn’t make the cut for the Rapture-like event. The series will primarily focus on Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), the chief of police of a small New York suburb who is just trying to keep it together during this time of uncertainty and find some sense of normalcy in a world where normalcy is dead.

Most intriguingly, The Leftovers being slated to air during the summer means that The Newsroom will, at the very least, be delayed, if not completely cancelled. Series star Jeff Bridges tweeted last year that the show was renewed for a third season, but word has it that a formal renewal will depend on creator Aaron Sorkin’s schedule, so HBO already giving up the show’s time slot signifies that a deal for said third season might not be as close as one might assume. Despite the critical knocks that the political drama took, it did well in the ratings for its first two seasons and would be a loss for HBO business-wise, assuming a deal doesn’t get made. However, HBO already filling in their 2014 summer might simply be a strategy to buy Sorkin the time necessary to clear his schedule and compose a third season, to air at a later date.

In addition to Theroux, The Leftovers stars the likes of Amy Brenneman (Private Practice), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), Ann Dowd (Compliance), Chris Zylka (The Secret Circle), Emily Mead (Boardwalk Empire), and Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who).

Will you be watching The Leftovers? How long do you think a series like this can extend itself? Is airing The Leftovers behind the final season of True Blood a wise choice by HBO?

The post The Leftovers to Begin Production Early This Year for Summer HBO Premiere appeared first on TVHackr.

This week on TVHackr, we talked about early Emmy winners, change at the top of Rizzoli & Isles, and the possible series finale of Siberia, while the internet touched on television costume designers, a revolt over dubbing, and what sophomore shows could struggle this season.

American Horror Story: Coven Key Art: Acupuncuture Wound
FX released more key art from the upcoming third season of American Horror Story, which is set to premiere Wednesday, October 9th.

Spartacus Saga: Uncut Coming to Starz October 26th
Starz will begin airing all four seasons of Spartacus starting this October, only the episodes will be extended.

Tamaro to Step Down as Rizzoli & Isles Showrunner
Rizzoli & Isles showrunner Janet Tamaro has officially stepped down from her position, though she”ll remain as a consultant on the TNT hit series.

HIMYM: The Return of William Zabka…and Robin Daggers?
The final season of How I Met Your Mother will see the return of William Zabka after first appearing late last season.

The White Queen Episode 5 Recap: Dead Once, Damned Twice
While Edward fights to retain control of England, both Margaret Beaufort and Anne Neville suffer major losses.

Broadway Stars to Light Up Elementary
Several prominent Broadway figures will be popping up on Elementary this season. Who will they be playing?

ABC Project The Thirteen Reimagines History
ABC has put a project in development that imagines the world as it would be if the United States hadn”t won the Revolutionary War.

SNL Taps Cecily Strong to Co-Anchor Weekend Update
Saturday Night Live has added Cecily Strong to the Weekend Update desk, joining outgoing anchor Seth Meyers for his final months on the show.

Sleepy Hollow Series Premiere Sneak Peeks: What Does the Headless Horseman Want?
The series premiere of Sleepy Hollow find both Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horsemen resurrected 250 years following their deaths.

Sleepy Hollow Series Premiere Spoilers: Ichabod Crane Meets the 21st Century
Coming up on Sleepy Hollow, the mystery deepens and Ichabod continues working with Abbie to vanquish the evils lurking in the town.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Series Premiere Sneak Peeks: The 99th Gets a New Captain
The series premiere of Brooklyn Nine-Nine introduced Captain Ray Holt to the 99th precinct, a tough, no-nonsense leader who clashes with Detective Jake Peralta.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Series Premiere Spoilers: Meet the Captain
Coming up on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Holt and Peralta continue to butt heads, while Gina”s psychic friend gets inside Charles” head.

Ravenswood Promo: Secrets in the Whispers
ABC Family mystery Ravenswood had another promo released, this time showing the five strangers pulled together by a devastating curse on their town.

AMC Developing Walking Dead Companion Series
AMC announced that a companion series for The Walking Dead has been placed in development with an eye on a 2015 series premiere.

Penny Dreadful Adds Billie Piper, Helen McCrory, Danny Sapani, and Simon Russell Beale
Showtime psychosexual thriller Penny Dreadful continued filling out its cast by announcing four additions, including Doctor Who veteran Billie Piper as an Irish immigrant.

CBS: Watch the We Are Men Pilot Here
Ahead of its September 30th television premiere, the first episode of CBS comedy We Are Men has been released online and through the CBS app.

HBO Orders The Leftovers Adaptation to Series
HBO has given a series order to The Leftovers, an adaptation of the Tom Perrotta novel of the same name. Lost“s Damon Lindelof will act as showrunner.

Emmy Awards 2013: Dan Bucatinsky and Carrie Preston Honored
Among the winners at the Creative Arts Emmys this year were Dan Bucatinsky and Carrie Preston, honored for their guest roles in Scandal and The Good Wife, respectively.

Stage and Screen Stars Join NBC’s Sound of Music Telecast
NBC”s production of The Sound of Music, airing December 5th, has added three Tony winners in Christian Borle, Audra McDonald, and Laura Benanti.

Siberia Season Finale Recap: Did the Contestants Make It Out of Siberia?
On the season finale of Siberia, the two groups of contestants were brought back together, but did they figure out a way to get out of the Siberian wilderness?

Iggy Pop Joins Once Upon A Time In Wonderland
The punk icon replaces The Who singer Roger Daltrey as the voice of The Caterpillar on the upcoming ABC spinoff, which premieres October 10th.

Mad Men Receiving Two-Year Sendoff, To End in 2015
AMC has announced that critical darling Mad Men will be airing its final season in two parts, each consisting of seven episodes.

American Horror Story: Coven: Watch Every Teaser to Date Here
Here”s a collection of every American Horror Story: Coven teaser released thus far, ranging from voodoo to snakes and creepy houses in New Orleans.

Syfy Acquires Canadian Werewolf Drama Bitten
Syfy will be airing the 13-episode first season of Canadian werewolf drama Bitten, which stars Laura Vandervoort as the lone female werewolf in existence, sometime next year.

TV Icon Carl Reiner is back on Two & a Half Men
Reiner is set to appear in multiple episodes of the CBS comedy this season, reprising his role as producer Marty Pepper.

Sopranos Alum Joining NCIS As Possible Replacement For Ziva
NCIS has potentially found a replacement for the departing Cote de Pablo. Which actress might be joining the team and who will she play?

Watch here: Extended Promo of Supernatural Season 9
The CW has released an extended promo for the ninth season of Supernatural, premiering early next month.

Copper Cancelled by BBC America After Two Seasons
BBC America has cancelled period drama Copper after two seasons, with the series finale airing September 22nd.

Devious Maids Season Finale Preview: All Questions are Answered
Who killed Flora Hernandez? Find out on the season finale of Devious Maids.

TNT Orders Steven Bochco Drama Murder in the First to Series
From NYPD Blue“s Steven Bochco, Murder in the First stars Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson.

Costume Designers for TV Have a Big Impact on Fashion (The New York Times)
The New York Times interviewed several television costume designers about the freedom their job provides vs. the same position in the film world, the impact of their work on everyday life, and how the recognition from their work on television has aided their career.

(The Wall Street Journal)
The Wall Street Journal examines how an increasingly fractured television market has made the competition for original series that much more intense.

(Vanity Fair)
Vanity Fair took a stroll around New York City to check out television advertisements and the common themes present in this fall”s new programming.

Sophomore TV Shows: Which Will Surge and Which Will Slump? (The Daily Beast)
The Daily Beast tries to predict which shows entering their second years will take steps toward a breakthrough and which might stumble enough to face cancellation.

TV may reinforce stereotypes about men in nursing (Reuters)
Dr. Roslyn Weaver, an adjunct fellow at the University of Western Sydney School of Nursing and Midwifery, led research into how male nurses are portrayed on television, with Reuters reporting the results.

Witches and Fall Television 2013 (Patheos)
If you like witches, you”ll find plenty of them on television this fall, as the likes of Sleepy Hollow and American Horror Story will prominently feature witchcraft.

Students fight against film dubbing on television (Prague Daily Monitor)
A group of Czech students are fighting for less dubbing and more English on television, arguing that it robs them of an easy opportunity to naturally learn the language.

The post The Week in Television Wrap September 14-20 appeared first on TVHackr.

Assuming that The Leftovers makes it on the air in 2014, it will be the second new drama of the year on the network, following the January premiere of crime drama True Detective. HBO is currently in a transitional period in terms of their drama series; with True Blood ending next summer, Treme ending in December, The Newsroom renewal in a weird state of limbo, and Boardwalk Empire continuing to weaken, they need to restock the shelves and find the next great drama that will have people talking. Something like The Leftovers sounds like it could be what they need, a broad yet splashy concept helmed by a man who made that kind of genre programming for six seasons and could straddle the line between prestige and populism quite well.

Among those who will be starring in The Leftovers are Justin Theroux (Iron Man 2), Amy Brennaman (Judging Amy), Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), Brad Leland (Friday Night Lights), and Chris Zylka (The Secret Circle). No announcement about a possible time frame for the series to debut has been made as of yet, nor has any word been leaked on when production is supposed to begin.

Does The Leftovers sound like something you would watch? Are you ready for HBO to get even further into drama television? Where do you think the network would be most likely to schedule the series?

The post HBO Orders The Leftovers Adaptation to Series appeared first on TVHackr.