Starz is giving the new series based on the Evil Dead movies, Ash vs. Evil Dead, quite the vote of confidence. The premium channel has already renewed the series for a second season before it even hits your TV screen.
The series brings back the stalwart team of Bruce Campbell and producer/director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead movies, Spider-Man trilogy), to continue the saga of the Evil Dead film franchise as Ash Williams (Campbell) is forced to save the world from yet another demonic invasion.
“One season isn’t enough to satisfy the fans’ two decade-long appetite for more Ash,” said Starz managing director Carmi Zlotnik in a statement. “The early fan and press support, along with the international broadcaster demand for more story have made it clear that the adventures of Ash Williams can’t end with season one.”
Campbell and Lucy Lawless (as Ruby, a “mysterious figure” who thinks Ash is the cause of the invasion) will return to co-star in season two. Raimi and Rob Tapert will return as executive producers, and Craig DiGregorio (Chuck) will again be showrunner.
As for why this Evil Dead iteration was given the TV treatment, Raimi explained to Entertainment Weekly that the move was to adapt to a changing landscape. “…It seems what the fans have evolved to really like about the Evil Dead films is Bruce Campbell and the character of Ash. And television, where we have recently gotten a lot of experience, seems to really succeed on the basis of a character that the audience likes. And the landscape of television has evolved such that you can really show anything on cable TV now.”
Starz — which hasn’t had a hit show in the same way as cable competitors HBO, Showtime or even streamers like Netflix and Hulu — certainly hopes the fervor for Ash vs. Evil Dead can give the network a much-needed boost.
The series premiere of Ash vs. Evil Dead debuts on Starz this Saturday (on Halloween, no less) at 9 p.m.
