TV: AMC Announces renewal of Hell on Wheels for a third season

New York, NY – December 12, 2012 – AMC announced today the renewal of “Hell on Wheels” for a third season with John Wirth (“V”  “Fallen Skies” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) serving as executive producer and showrunner. Season three of the series has been greenlit for ten, one-hour episodes and is scheduled to premiere in third quarter 2013.

Centered on the lawless town known as “Hell on Wheels,” that travels with and services the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, the series examines the railroad’s institutionalized greed and corruption, the immigrant experience and the plight of the newly emancipated African-Americans during reconstruction. “Hell on Wheels” second season wrapped in October with an average of 2.4 million viewers and 3.2 million viewers with Live plus 7.

“As we gear up for season three of ‘Hell on Wheels’ we are pleased to have such an accomplished show runner as John Wirth join our team,” said Susie Fitzgerald, AMC’s SVP of scripted development and current programming. “With the help of our partners at Entertainment One, Endemol and Nomadic, we look forward to a new season of the poetic and pulpy adventures of Cullen Bohannan and the other characters as they build the railroad across the US.”

“We’re delighted to continue our relationship with AMC, Endemol and Nomadic Pictures,” said Michael Rosenberg, Executive VP, US Scripted Television, Entertainment One Television. "John Wirth is an incredible talent who will drive our roaring series and build on the strength and success of the ‘Hell on Wheels’ brand.”

"We look forward to unveiling the next riveting chapter in the complex lives of the denizens of ‘Hell on Wheels,’” said Jeremy Gold, Head of Creative Affairs, Endemol Studios and executive producer, “Hell on Wheels.”  "We are delighted that John Wirth will be joining us on this remarkable journey. John is a proven showrunner with a terrific voice and a deep passion for our show," Gold concluded.

“Hell on Wheels” stars Anson Mount as former confederate soldier Cullen Bohannan, who is struggling to escape his demons from the recently fought Civil War. Colm Meaney stars as Thomas “doc” Durant, a greedy entrepreneur taking full advantage of the changing times, and musician/actor Common is Elam Ferguson, an emancipated slave working to achieve true freedom in a work entrenched in prejudice. “Hell on Wheels” received a 2012 Emmy nomination for outstanding original main title theme music.