Max Sets November Premiere Date for 'Julia' Season 2
Sarah Lancashire and David Hyde Pierce in "Julia" Season 2
(Photo: Sebastein Gonon/Max)
Charming drama Julia will make its way back to our screens just in time for Thanksgiving. Max announced the second season of the Julia Child-focused series will premiere this November and run for eight episodes.
The series stars Last Tango in Halifax alum Sarah Lancashire as the titular Julia, and is inspired by Child's life and the creation of her long-running cooking show The French Chef. Set immediately following the publication of her bestselling cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Julia sees Child working to launch her first series with the help of public television station WGBH and introduces viewers to her loving, supportive marriage with husband Paul.
The eight-episode second season expands Julia's world both literally and figuratively as the story takes her to Paris and the French Riviera to reunite with fellow French cookbook writer Simca Beck (Isabella Rosselini), decompress after the events of the series' first season, and grapple emotionally with her rising fame and celebrity.
As she prepares for the second season of The French Chef, Julia visits a wide variety of renowned restaurants and chefs across both the South of France and the U.S. in Washington D.C. and Boston. As she and her team spearhead the concept of female-driven public television, many of the social issues prevalent in the 1950s and '60s are mirrored in her journey.
Sarah Lancashire in "Julia" Season 2
(Photo: Sebastein Gonon/Max)
Alongside Lancashire, the series stars David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) as Julia's husband Paul, whose support will undoubtedly be key as the pair (and their marriage) must navigate life changes brought about by her increasing popularity. Other returning cast members include Bebe Neuwirth (The Good Fight) as Avis DeVoto; Brittany Bradford (Dead Ringers) as Alice Naman; Fran Kranz (Party Down) as Russ Morash; Fiona Glascott (Indian Summers) as Judith Jones; and Robert Joy (Prodigal Son) as Hunter Fox. Returning guest stars include Judith Light (The Menu), Tosin Morohunfola (Everything's Trash), and Christian Clemenson (The Good Doctor).
Cray Ex-Girlfriend creator Rachel Bloom is also joining the cast in Season 2 as Elaine Levitch, a powerhouse director who comes to WGBH from CBS to work with Child on The French Chef.
"Through her masterful performance, Sarah Lancashire welcomed us into the life of Julia Child, a trailblazer who, among her many accomplishments, redefined the possibilities of public television and, in turn, brought French cuisine and culture into American living rooms," Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max, said in a statement when the Season 2 renewal was announced. "We are grateful to our creative team, led by Chris Keyser and Daniel Goldfarb, and talented cast who entranced us all with an endless helping of warmth and charm. Julia is the perfect show for this moment and we look forward to serving more in season two.”
Julia Season 2 will premiere on Thursday, November 16, with the first three episodes, followed by weekly releases on Thursdays until the finale on December 21. Season 1 is currently streaming on Max.
