El Rey Network and Miramax announced today the start of production on the sophomore season of Robert Rodriguez's "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" in Austin, TX (home to Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios). Returning to the supernatural series are all leading cast members including Wilmer Valderrama, D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Eiza González and Jesse Garcia. El Rey Network Founder and Chairman, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will direct the first episode of the second season set to return late summer, 2015.

"It's great to be back for season two with the amazing cast and crew.  We continue to push our story and characters into unexpected directions at a time when El Rey Network has greatly increased its distribution with six of the top eight distributors," said Rodriguez. "We are also thrilled to expand our partnership with Miramax, which, based on the successful launch of the first season, has taken on a larger role in production this season and will be the lead studio on any future seasons."

"From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" premiered last year as El Rey Network's first scripted drama and drew critical acclaim for the reimagining of Rodriguez's cult classic film of the same name, released theatrically in 1996 by Miramax. The Associated Press touted the series as "radically different" and "a fascinating ride" while The New York Daily News proclaimed, "like the movie that came before, the TV series does its thing very well." The series was picked #1 on Entertainment Weekly 's Must List and as one of the Hottest New Fiction Shows by The Hollywood Reporter.  The first season, available now on Netflix both domestically and in many international markets, was also a global phenomenon seen in a total of 160 territories around the world.

Season one of "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" centered on bank robber Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard "Richie" Gecko (Holtz), who were on the run to Mexico when they encountered former pastor Jacob Fuller (Robert Patrick) and his family, who were taken hostage.  Using the family RV to cross the border, chaos ensued when the group detoured to the Titty Twister, a strip club populated by culebras, snake-like ancient creatures who survive by drinking human blood.  They were forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive.

Season Two explores a new chapter in this supernatural crime saga that expands the universe of our story across two borders from Mexico to the edgy, tricked-out Texas of Robert Rodriguez. It also deepens and complicates the core relationships between the characters, while adding new faces and dynamics.  Season Two begins with our characters in their separate worlds – Santánico (González) and Richie (Holtz) are outside Houston, living like Bonnie and Clyde; Seth and Kate (Madison Davenport) are scraping by in the South of the Border; Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) is protecting his wife and young daughter in a Houston suburb: and Carlos Madrigal (Valderrama) and Scott Fuller (Brandon Soo-Hoo) emerge from the Titty Twister, as changed men. They will all come together once again – this time facing off against an even bigger threat.

The returning cast includes: D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation); Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower); Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera, Sons of Anarchy); Eiza González (Lola: Érase Una Vez); WilmerValderrama (That '70s Show, To Whom It May Concern); Madison Davenport (Noah, Shameless); and Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, Ender's Game, Incredible Crew).

Additional directors who will be directing episodes this season include Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project), Alejandro Brugues (Juan of the Dead), Joe Menendez (Ladrón que roba a ladrón) and Dwight Little (Halloween 4: the Return of Michael Myers).

"From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" is a Miramax production in association with Rodriguez International Pictures, FactoryMade Ventures, and Sugarcane Entertainment. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Coto (also showrunner), Diego Gutierrez (also writer) and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.

Miramax is distributing "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" internationally in all territories.