It was one of the surprise hits of 2015 - but the cast and crew behind US drama UnREAL are eager to make season two at least as good as its first.
After a phenomenal first season, the US satirical drama is returning soon for a second run – and everyone involved is keen to avoid hitting a sophomore bump.
The Lifetime show about the behind-the-scenes dysfunction on a reality dating show stars Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby as a cynical TV exec and a conflicted, manipulative producer was the surprise hit of summer 2015.
Constance Zimmer
A mix of satire and soap - it works on both levels - UnREAL won a Critics’ Choice award, a Peabody award, and an AFI award for TV Programme of the Year for its provocative material that included mental illness and domestic abuse.
Going into season two, the series' co-creator and executive producer Sarah Shapiro insists that she's not allowed herself to get carried away with or too wound up about the show's unlikely success.
"Frankly, I try to ignore the hype as much as possible," she says. "I'm just not nervous, because this is the exact same me that made season one. It's the same Shiri, it's the same Constance."
As for the cast, Shiri Appleby admits that there's still some anxiety about delivering a second round of juicy drama mixed with thought-provoking ideas.
"I'm really trying hard not to compare it to the first season," she says. "I just feel pressure myself with wanting the show to have that same quality that people responded to."
A like-minded Constance Zimmer adds: "It definitely feels a little more anxious because we still want to keep that up."
UnREAL returns on July 7 on UK satellite channel Lifetime.
UnREAL season 2 trailer:
