HBO Renews ‘The Deuce’

HBO has renewed its freshman drama series The Deuce for a second season, the network said Tuesday.

The David Simon-produced series starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco will return for a sophomore season run in 2018. The series, which examines the legalization and rise of the porn industry in 1970s New York City, drew 2.2 million viewers including multi-platform views for its Sept. 10 premiere.

The Deuce is executive produced by Simon, George Pelecanos, Nina Kostroff Noble and James Franco.

“We are thrilled to continue our creative collaboration with master storytellers David Simon and George Pelecanos,” said HBO programming president Casey Bloys in a statement. “Their unique gift for immersing the audience in their dark and edgy worlds brings a brilliant verisimilitude unlike any other. With the remarkably talented Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco leading an exceptional cast, we look forward to delving deeper as this captivating story evolves.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.