The final episodes of the eleventh season of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown aired back in June on CNN. And while that may have seemed like the end of Parts Unknown at the time, it turns out there's still more in store. Yes, there will be a twelfth season of the series, and the late Bourdain will be in it. Here is how Season 12 will come together.
Anthony Bourdain had filmed enough material before his death to create a twelfth season for Parts Unknown, according to The Los Angeles Times, which broke the news of the additional season. That said, only one episode had been completed in its entirety before Bourdain's passing. That Parts Unknown episode chronicles Bourdain's trip to Kenya with CNN's United Shades of America host W. Kamau Bell. It is the last episode of Parts Unknown that will feature Bourdain's written narration.
We also know where four of the episodes will take place. Manhattan's Lower East Side will serve as a location, along with the Big Bend area of Texas which rests alongside the border of Mexico, the Asturias region of Spain, and Indonesia. The directors from those four episodes will complete them. Despite the series losing Anthony Bourdain's signature narration, viewers will be able to hear his voice in the latter episodes thanks to the footage that was filmed prior to his death. Additional interviews are being filmed to flesh out the episodes.
There will be seven Parts Unkown episodes in Season 12 with the latter two sounding as though they will be retrospective in nature. In the second to last episode of the series, the cast and crew behind Parts Unknown will share behind-the-scenes stories about making the series. The final episode of the show will be devoted to the memory of Bourdain and his impact on the world. It will be an undoubtedly emotional send-off.
For fans of the show, it is a final chance to glimpse Anthony Bourdain in the place many viewers came to know him best. Since its premiere in 2013, Parts Unknown was a must-see for many CNN viewers. For non-CNN viewers, Netflix has provided a gateway for new viewers curious to watch the series. Incidentally, the series was initially set to expire from the streaming platform shortly following his death. Netflix eventually reached a deal to continue streaming the fan-favorite series.
Fans of the show will not have to wait too much longer to watch the final season of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown. While CNN has not announced an official premiere date, Season 12 is set to begin airing on CNN this fall. For what's set to arrive late this summer, check out CinemaBlend summer premiere guide. For new television shows also set to arrive this fall, check out CinemaBlend's guide to TV's fall premieres.
