'Waco: The Aftermath': Is it a sequel or a standalone story?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In 2018, a six-part miniseries titled 'Waco' aired on Paramount Network. The series was based on the events surrounding the 51-day standoff at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. It starred Taylor Kitsch as David Koresh, Michael Shannon as the FBI negotiator Gary Noesner, and John Leguizamo as ATF agent Jacob Vazquez. In addition to the miniseries, there have been numerous books, documentaries, and films that have examined the events at the Branch Davidian compound. The release of 'Waco' in 2018 sparked renewed interest in the tragedy and has contributed to ongoing discussions about the need for transparency and accountability in government operations.
On February 22, 2023, Showtime released a one-minute, first-look teaser for 'Waco: The Aftermath' on YouTube. The teaser began with Taylor Kitsch's David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians, speaking to a congregation. But he is not the only one to return in 'Waco: The Aftermath.' David Costabile, J Smith-Cameron, Giovanni Ribisi, John Hoogenakker, Keean Johnson, Abbey Lee, John Leguizamo, and Michael Shannon will all return to reprise their roles from the first miniseries.
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'Waco: The Aftermath': Release date and how to watch
‘Waco’ attracted mixed reactions
Critics praised the performances of the cast, particularly Kitsch and Shannon, and lauded the show's attention to detail in recreating the events of the siege. However, some criticized the show for being too one-sided in its portrayal of the events and accused it of sympathizing with the Branch Davidians. Despite the mixed reviews, the miniseries proved to be a ratings success for Paramount Network, with over 2.4 million viewers tuning in for the premiere episode. The series also generated renewed interest in the Waco siege and sparked discussions about the government's handling of the situation.
Renewal of ‘Waco’
In April 2022, Paramount+ commissioned a second season of 'Waco' to depict the consequences of the two-month siege, which are crucial to this cautionary narrative. The cumbersomely titled second season, 'American Tragedies: Waco - The Trials,' was replaced with 'Waco: The Aftermath,' which would look at the events and the unjust punishment meted out to the Branch Davidians who survived. The events that led to the Oklahoma City terrorist assault and the emerging 'Patriot' movement occurred after these awful occurrences as a pushback of sorts. 'Waco: The Aftermath' is now a forthcoming Showtime limited real crime drama — a direct sequel to the 2018 miniseries 'Waco,' with the cast returning to preserve the continuity of the narrative.
'Waco: The Aftermath'
Showtime has announced that ‘Waco: The Aftermath,’ a five-episode series, will begin airing weekly from April 16, 2023, at 10 pm ET/PT. The show, which was originally planned to air on Paramount+, has been moved to Showtime due to the merger of the two networks. However, for those with a Showtime streaming account, the series will be available to stream two days earlier, starting April 14, 2023. To catch up before the sequel, viewers can watch the original 'Waco' series, which is available on both Showtime and Paramount+.
Trailer
Before the sequel's debut, watch the trailer, get to know the returning and new actors, and review the series' official trailer!