In 2014, 5NEWS took viewers behind the scenes of Salem, leading up the series premiere on our sister station, WGN America. The witches return for the second season on Sunday, April 5. So we sat down once again with the cast and crew, this time asking them what sort of responses they’ve gotten to the supernatural thriller, and what we can expect moving forward.
“The response has been incredible,” co-creator Brannon Braga said.
“It’s the kind of show that I think already attracted a very intense following. People who like it, love it,” co-creator Adam Simon said.
“People seem to really respond to the material, the characters and the relationships. It’s exciting and you want to keep making more, to keep those people happy,” Janet Montgomery (“Mary Sibley”) said.
“I think they seem really amped and excited about season two. They’re excited to see where it’s going to go, and so are we. We don’t always know exactly where it’s going to end up. They keep a little bit of mystery for us,” Ashley Madekwe (“Tituba”) said.
If you liked what you saw in the first season of Salem, you're in for a treat with season two. The witches are back with a new addition. Lucy Lawless, who gained international fame as Xena: Warrior Princess, joins the cast of Salem as Countess Marburg.
“I watched the series and saw the exquisite acting, and the way it’s shot is incredibly beautiful. I wanted to be part of it,” Lawless said.
It's not just the cast that's expanding. The already impressive set is also getting bigger. The exterior set consists of 40 buildings, seven of which were built just for the new season.
“I can point my camera in any direction I want, and we are literally 300 years ago. Bring the actors and costumes into that world, and you suddenly believe everything, and it all comes to life, and that's pretty magical,” director Nick Copus said.
“I think it’s exciting seeing a new addition, Knocker’s Hole. It makes you feel good about your work, yourself, the project…that they’re adding to it and believe in it. You hope that happens every year,” Shane West (“John Alden”) said.
According to the creators, further expansion of the set is already underway.
“We can grow this town a little more every year and show different sides of it. We’ve got ships we’re building too,” Simon said.
The new season of Salem begins Sunday, April 5 at 10/9C on WGN America.