WGN America Renews Drama 'Manhattan' For Second Season

WGN America has ordered a second season of its original drama "Manhattan."

"Manhattan" is set in Los Alamos, N.M., at what is now Los Alamos National Laboratory against the backdrop of the mission to build the world's first atomic bomb during World War II.

The show, which airs at 10 p.m. Sunday nights on Chicago's WGN-TV, has its first-season finale on Oct. 19.

Created and written by Sam Shaw, directed by Emmy Award-winning director Thomas Schlamme and produced by Lionsgate Television, Skydance Television and Tribune Studios, the second season of "Manhattan" will begin production next spring for a 2015 debut.

The series follows the brilliant, but flawed scientists and their families in Los Alamos as they attempt to coexist in a world where secrets and lies infiltrate their lives.

"'Manhattan' represents the kind of high-quality original series we aim to deliver at WGN America, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the show's widespread critical acclaim and its loyal audience," said Matt Cherniss, president and general Manager of WGN America and Tribune Studios. "Sam, Tommy and the talented cast and creative team have so brilliantly brought to life the world of the Manhattan Project and we can't wait to see what secrets and surprises await us in season two."

"Manhattan" stars John Benjamin Hickey ("The Big C," "The Good Wife") as Frank Winter; Olivia Williams ("Rushmore," "The Ghost Writer") as Liza Winter; Daniel Stern ("Home Alone," "Home Alone 2") as Glen Babbit; Ashley Zukerman ("Rush") as Charlie Isaacs; Rachel Brosnahan ("House of Cards") as Abby Isaacs; Katja Herbers ("De Storm") as Helen Prins; Alexia Fast ("Jack Reacher") as Callie Winter; Christopher Denham ("Argo," "Shutter Island") as Jim Meeks; Harry Lloyd ("Game of Thrones") as Paul Crosley; Michael Chernus ("The Big C," "Orange Is The New Black") as Louis "Fritz" Fedowitz; and Eddie Shin ("Men of a Certain Age") as Sid Liao. The series debuted July 27.