WGN America’s Second Original Scripted Series ‘Manhattan’ Renewed For A Second Season

WGN America announced that its hit period piece Manhattan has been picked up for a second season. The drama, its second original scripted show, revolves around the creation of the atomic bomb, and it has done well for the network.

"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," WGN America/Tribune Studios president and general manager Matt Cherniss said in a statement via Variety.

"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 2," he said.

Manhattan was created by Sam Shaw and revolves around the creation of nuclear weapons in the 1940s.

"Manhattan is averaging about 1.2 million viewers in Neilsen's Live Plus 7 measure. At this early stage, WGN America cannot expect much in the way of ratings for its originals, so buzz and critical praise is vital," Variety reported.

The WGN series stars John Benjamin Hickey, Alexia Fast, Olivia Williams, Daniel Stern and Ashley Zukerman. It takes place in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where scientists were on a mission to create the world's first atomic bomb. The Season 1 finale airs Oct. 19 on WGN America.

This is WGN America's second hit original scripted series, with the first being Salem. Salem, which centers on the Salem witch trials, premiered in April and received a second season pickup only three episodes into its first season, according to Deadline.

"The 13-episode second season of Salem, from creators Brannon Braga and Adam Simon and Fox 21, will begin production later this year for a 2015 debut. Despite WGN only covering 62% of the country with a single feed, Salem's April 20 premiere averaged an impressive 3.4 million total viewers and 1.5 million adults 18-49 in Live+7," Deadline reported.