HULU ANNOUNCES SEASON TWO RENEWAL FOR "CASUAL"
Critically-Acclaimed Hulu Original and Lionsgate Television Comedy from
Oscar(R)-Nominated Director Jason Reitman and Creator Zander Lehmann
to Return for Second Season in 2016
SANTA MONICA, CA - October XX, 2015 - Following its successful series debut on October 7th, the Hulu Original CASUAL has already been picked up for a second season with a 13-episode order, the network announced today. Lionsgate Television's critically-acclaimed comedy series will return with creator and executive producer Zander Lehmann and executive producers Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air), Helen Estabrook and Liz Tigelaar.
CASUAL has drawn praise for stars Michaela Watkins, Tommy Dewey, Tara Lynne Barr and Nyasha Hatendi, who will all return as series regulars for the second season. Hulu will continue to roll out weekly episodes for its 10-episode straight-to-series order for season one of CASUAL, launching its fourth episode today. All episodes will be available to stream to subscribers in both Hulu's limited and no commercials plans.
"CASUAL really struck a chord," said Craig Erwich, SVP, Head of Content, Hulu. "We couldn't be prouder of the quality, and we're thrilled to see it be recognized for the success that it is."
"It's a rare joy to get to work with the people you love. We're so fortunate to get to do it again and to have the chance to further explore the world of our unconventional family," said creator Zander Lehmann.
"We are thrilled that viewers immediately embraced this smart, dysfunctional family comedy, brought to life through Zander Lehmann's distinct, inventive voice and vision of executive producers Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook and Liz Tigelaar," said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. "Hulu is a great partner and the perfect home for this series. We look forward to where they take these characters and storylines in season two."
"The CASUAL family came together quickly and bonded in a very real way both on screen and off. We're all thrilled to see more of each other and continue building upon the adventures of Alex and Valerie as they attempt real adult relationships," said executive producer Jason Reitman.
CASUAL follows the story of a dysfunctional family with a bachelor brother and his newly divorced sister. Together, they coach each other through the crazy world of dating (on-line and off), while living under one roof again and raising a teenager. New episodes are available every Wednesday.
In episode four streaming today, Alex (Tommy Dewey) goes back to work for the first time in weeks. Valerie (Michaela Watkins) slips up and breaks one of his cardinal rules of casual sex, while Laura (Tara Lynne Barr) begins to bond with her photography teacher after class.
The second season of CASUAL will join 11/22/63, an event series based upon the best-selling Stephen King novel from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions; The Path, a drama series from Jason Katims' True Jack Productions starring Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy; The Mindy Project, a comedy series from Mindy Kaling; and comedy series Difficult People produced by Amy Poehler with stars Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner.
About Hulu
Hulu is a premium streaming TV destination that offers hundreds of thousands of hours of the best of current season programming, premium original content, films and full seasons of hit series to subscribers with limited commercials for $7.99 per month or commercial free for $11.99 per month. Hulu is the only streaming subscription service that offers current season content from 5 of the 6 largest U.S. broadcast networks. Since its launch in 2008, Hulu has been at the forefront of entertainment and technology and continues to redefine TV by connecting viewers with the stories they love.
About Right of Way Films
Right of Way Films is the production company of acclaimed filmmaker Jason Reitman and his producing partner Helen Estabrook. Right of Way is based in Los Angeles and devoted to producing quality, character-driven films. The company most recently released the critical darling Whiplash from writer and director Damien Chazelle for Sony Pictures Classics and Reitman's Men, Women & Children for Paramount. Last year, Right of Way released Labor Day, an adaptation of Joyce Maynard's novel, written and directed by Reitman and starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin for Paramount. Before that, they made Reitman's Young Adult, written by Diablo Cody and starring Charlize Theron, and produced Jeff Who Lives at Home, written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, starring Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon. The later four films were made in association with Indian Paintbrush, where Right of Way has a first look deal. A number of other projects are currently in development, including Force Out by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon, as well as The Paralyzing Affects by Duncan Turq. The company is currently in production on Demolition with director Jean-Marc Vallee from a Black List script by writer Bryan Sipe.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the acclaimed drama Manhattan and the breakout series The Royals.
Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, Sicario, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate's The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions' Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.
Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com
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