Television news this time of year isn't always the the greatest as networks large and small decide what shows to bring back for another season. A whole bunch of shows got the axe back in May, and it was entirely possible that the bloodbath would continue. Well, fans of FX's Atlanta don't have to worry that the Season 2 finale was actually the series finale. FX has officially renewed Atlanta for a third season.
All things considered, it's not a huge shock that Atlanta scored a renewal order for Season 3. The first season was a hit with viewers and critics alike, and Donald Glover won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series after the first season. The show also scored Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Casting, and Outstanding Writing. The second season only finished airing in May, so the show hasn't gone through another major awards season yet, but the odds are pretty good that Atlanta will wind up with some big new nominations. That said, awards aren't everything, and ratings can mean even more. Season 2 -- known as Atlanta Robbin' Season -- earned the best ratings of any recent basic cable comedy.
Few details are currently available about the third season of Atlanta, although FX has announced that the show will return in 2019. On the one hand, the news that the show will be back next year could come as a relief to fans who weren't happy at the hiatus of more than a year between the first and second seasons. All of 2017 came and went without any new episodes. On the other hand, FX hasn't announced when exactly in 2019 we can expect the new season, so the wait could still be quite long.
The long delay between the first and second season didn't happen because of an FX scheduling shuffle or any kind of behind-the-scenes negativity toward the series. No, the delay happened because star/director/executive producer/creator Donald Glover was just too in-demand and busy. His production schedule was so packed that Atlanta couldn't get into gear as soon as fans undoubtedly would have liked. Given how much Glover seems to have on his plate moving forward after Season 2, we may not want to expect an early Season 3.
Donald Glover recently appeared in Solo: A Star Wars Story as the one and only Lando Calrissian, and he may wind up with a Star Wars Story of his own. Glover is reportedly in the running (along with Ryan Gosling and Ezra Miller) to play the lead in an upcoming adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and rumor has it that he may have a significant role in the Black Panther sequel. If his film career continues to keep him busy, Atlanta production may have to take a backseat. We'll have to wait and see.
The first season of Atlanta is currently available streaming on Hulu. For more viewing options now and in the not-too-distant future, check out our summer TV premiere guide.
