The morning after its Season 2 premiere, BBC America has renewed its sizzling series Killing Eve for a third season. That renewal is no surprise; the series’ first run was a big hit last year, one that grew in viewer numbers week-to-week, a rare trait in an era of Peak TV. But what is interesting is that the series will be getting a new showrunner. Killing Eve was first helmed by creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who adapted the series from Luke Jennings‘ Villanelle novels. In Season 2, the baton was handed over to Waller-Bridge’s friend, screenwriter Emerald Fennell. Now, British writer Suzanne Heathcote (Fear the Walking Dead) is set for Season 3.
Sarah Barnett, President, Entertainment Networks for AMC Networks, said of the pickup: “We love having this show and the brilliant Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer and Fiona Shaw on our networks. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Emerald Fennell have delivered two addictively entertaining seasons. As we did last year, we’re renewing Killing Eve right out of the gate, now with Suzanne Heathcote as lead writer, as a sign of confidence – we adore this show as much as our fans do. Killing Eve doesn’t do anything in a templated way; we love giving opportunity to three genius women to make their mark.”
It seems like the the series is setting a precedent to hand each new season off to a new female writer, which is interesting and certainly admirable, but a little unusual given that this is a continuing story and not an anthology. On the one hand, it will certainly keep things fresh story-wise, but one also wonders if it will have an effect on the story’s overall cohesion or continuity. We can’t know that until we get deeper into Season 2 at least, but so far, this new season is living up to the first.
Waller-Bridge also said of the showrunner swap, “I’m very excited that the Killing Eve baton is being passed onto another incredible writer for season 3. We can sleep soundly knowing these characters are safe in Suzanne Heathcote’s hilariously murderous hands.” (“Hilariously murderous” is really the tagline for the show).
Killing Eve airs Sunday nights on AMC and BBC America, followed by the cable debut of A Discovery of Witches.
via Collider