National Geographic Greenlights Second Season of 'The Hot Zone'

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Series to focus on 2001 anthrax attacks

Nat Geo's 'The Hot Zone' starring Julianna Margulies is the most watched scripted series in network history
(Image credit: National Geographic)

 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.”        

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.