National Geographic will bring back its drama series The Hot Zone for a sophomore campaign, the network said Wednesday.

The six-hour series, from Touchstone Television and Scott Free Productions, will focus on the anthrax attacks of 2001, according to network officials. The first season of The Hot Zone, which debut in May 2019 and starred Julianna Margulies, finished as the most-watched scripted series in network history.

“The gripping, propulsive story of the hunt for the anthrax killer who terrorized the country in the dark days that followed the Sept. 11 attack couldn’t be more timely,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president, Global Scripted Content and Documentary Films in a statement.  “As the world battles COVID-19, another deadly and mysterious virus, The Hot Zone: Anthrax is a scientific thriller for our time.”        

Beverly Hills, Calif.—National Geographic continues to ramp up its scripted lineup with The Hot Zone, starring Julianna Margulies, the network announced Wednesday during the its Television Critics Association summer press tour session.

The drama series—based on the international best-seller by Richard Preston—recounts the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus, and follows a U.S. Army scientist (Margulies) who put her life on the line to head off the outbreak before it spread to the human population, said network officials.

“Julianna is dream casting for the role of Dr. Nancy Jaax,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive VP, global scripted development and production, National Geographic in a statement. “Her rare combination of warmth, strength, humor and intelligence are the perfect recipe to make this terrifying true story feel relatable, grounded and human.”

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The Hot Zone will be produced by Lynda Obst Productions, Scott Free Productions, Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Fox 21 Television Studios.

The Hot Zone joins the network’s other scripted series including the Emmy-nominated Genius: Picasso and Mars.

AMC's new drama series Dietland -- which premieres June 4 -- chronicles society's obsession with body image and fashion as see through the eyes of series star Joy Nash, who plays an overweight ghost writer working at a fashion magazine.

Nash and series executive producer Marti Noxon discuss Dietland in a new 'Content Spotlight' video.