Making the transition to an anthology series is risky for any show. Switching gears to a brand-new story could either help illuminate and expand the themes of a series or, if not done right, allow it to crumble under the weight of its ambition. But with the combination of great talent involved and intriguing storylines set in motion, the high-wire act is one that can certainly be pulled off.
And it appears that could very well be the case for “The Girlfriend Experience,” Starz’s adaptation of Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh’s 2009 critically acclaimed film of the same name, which is hitting the reset button for season two. While the buzzy first season further developed the film’s premise of a young attorney (Riley Keough) introduced to the world of “transactional relationships” and explored themes of intimacy, identity, and control, things will look very different when the series returns this fall.
The new season still takes a gimlet-eyed look at the world of high-priced call girls, but will feature an entirely new cast and follow two separate storylines in different locations. The first focuses on Anna Friel (“Pushing Daisies”) as Erica Myles, lesbian finance director of a Republican super PAC in D.C. who becomes involved with a prostitute played by Louisa Krause (“Billions”). The second storyline centers around call girl Bria Jones (Carmen Ejogo) who escapes to New Mexico after running away from a shady client, only to discover it might not be so easy to shed herself of the dangerous life she’s made for herself.
Lodge Kerrigan and Amy Seimetz serve as showrunners on the series, each writing and directing one of the parallel storylines, and Soderbergh returns as the executive producer. The new season will total 14 episodes, one more than the first.
“The Girlfriend Experience” returns on November 5th, and will premiere four episodes at TIFF.
