Accused has returned with an even more star-studded cast and more thrilling stories. Here’s the behind the scenes look at our Accused season 2 set visit.
Since its initial release in 2023, the American crime drama anthology television series Accused has developed a pretty loyal fanbase and critical acclaim with its combination of gripping stories and star-studded cast. Based on a BAFTA award-winning British series of the same name, season one of Accused included performances by stars like Michael Chiklis, Jill Hennessy, Aaron Ashmore, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Wendell Pierce, Whitney Cummings, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Rhea Perlman, Molly Parker, and Jason Ritter. The series was so successful that it was renewed for a second season.
Season two was even bigger when it comes to cast with Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy starring in the premiere and Taylor Schilling, Danny Pino, Justin Chambers, Nick Cannon, Patrick J. Adams, Jerrika Hinton, Sherri Saum, Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung, and Michael Chiklis, who also directed episode seven starring Jeong and Chung, rounding out the remaining episodes.
For Chiklis, it was a no-brainer to return as a director in season two.
“I had a beautiful experience the first time around”, he explained to a group of journalists on set in Toronto. “I turned to Howard and said, ‘I’m directing one of these every season.’ And he said, ‘yeah you are.’ And then this spring, he said ‘You know how I said you’re directing one every season, well, I want you to star in one too.” And
I said ‘okay.’
Aside from loving the series and the people he worked with, he also coveted the opportunity to work with Jeong in a genre we don’t typically see him in.
“I’m working with Ken Jeong who will surprise you so much. Listen, here is a genius of a comedic actor who I was
a fan of to begin with, but this is not his purview, this is not something we’ve seen from him, especially
a tragedy.”
For Jeong, who is taking on his first dramatic lead role in his career in this series, the feeling was mutual.
“For me, my favorite part is working with Michael Chiklis as the director. I’ve been a huge fan of his. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever done. This has just been really a joy. I was telling my wife it’s like going to an acting conservatory to work with the best actors, the best writers, the best directors, and I get to work with Chiklis. I can’t say enough great things about him. He’s one of my favorite actors, period, and to see him at work. His directing it is chef’s kiss – it’s outstanding.
But the magic in this series is not just in the work of the actors, directors, writers, and co-showrunners, Howard Gordon and Daniel Pearle, but in the sets which help to bring the stories to life. Sony Pictures Entertainment hosted an international press tour of the Mississauga, Ontario studio where season two was shot just west of Toronto. The set includes two courtrooms and marble corridors crafted by their highly skilled builders, as well as a look at wardrobe and props. For a closer look at the set visit, see the photo gallery above.
Season two of Accused is available on AppleTV, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, and on Global TV (Canada).
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 300 international voters for the 81st and 82nd Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
Related content:
https://shiftermagazine.com/film-and-tv/nickel-boys-film-revew
