HBO’s dramatic yet legendary series Winning Time will return with a full bang. No doubt, the first season left the audience in awe as it explored major details of their favorite Lakers’ life and how it affected their game. However, things went well in the end. But it won’t last long. While the fans wonder how things will unfold in Winning Time Season 2, an insider has opened up about the release date of Winning Time Season 2. You will be surprised to know that the second season is coming sooner than expected. Keep reading to learn more.
Created by Jim Hecht and Max Borenstein, Winning Time is based on the 80s book Showtime by Jeff Pearlman. The first season only focused on one year of the Showtime Laker’s dynastic decade. It began with Johnson being diagnosed with HIV. It then never explored the forever happy Johnson playing on the court with Kevin Johnson. The first season also focused on how a woman sued Jerry Buss for $25 million for not sticking to his vows. However, the first season ended on a cliffhanger, opening the door for more to come.
Winning Time Season 2: Production Details!
After a successful first season, the show quickly got renewed as it received positive responses from both critics and the audience. Soon after the show renewed for the second season, the creator announced in the middle of 2022 via Twitter that Winning Time Season 2 is officially in production. The candid picture revealed that the cast and the crew were all set to film with COVID-19 precautions. Despite this, Jerry West demanded an apology from HBO and the show’s production team. Along with him, Johnson vowed not to watch the show again. Despite all the controversy, the show will explore the Lakers’ world.
Winning Time Season 2: What Will Happen Next?
The first season ended with the team heroically winning the 80s NBA championship. So the second season will more likely delve deeper into the dynasty’s later years. The series showrunner Max Borenstein tells Deadline that the second season will explore the events that take place after their 80s win. It will focus on some transitional stuff that occurs in the next season. It has to do with the head coach Westhead and assistant coach Riley.
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Well, Westhead was fired into the 1981-1982 season after the champions were eliminated from the 81 NBA Playoffs. Borenstein also states that the upcoming season will focus on Jerry West’s next move in the general manager’s direction. So the second season will focus more on the controversy surrounding the head coach of the Lakers.
Winning Time Season 2: Cast Details
It’s safe to say that most of the cast members will return for the second season. These include John C. Reilly as Buss, Claire Rothman as Gabby Hoffman, and Quincy Isaiah as Johnson. Arian Brody as Riley, Jason Clarke as Westhead, and Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss will also return. Since the second season is more likely to explore the 1980-1981 season, the feud between Johnson vs. Bird will also be explored. So Sean Patrick Small as Bird will return with Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach to terrorize the jewels of the sunshine state for more years. Apart from them, DeVaughn Nixon as Norm Nixon will return with Delante Desouza as Michael Cooper.
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Sadly the second season will see the exit of former mainstays. Wood Hariss, who plays Spencer Haywood, won’t return for the second run since Haywood was playing overseas with the Italian professional basketball team. Sally Fields’ (Jessie Buss) will also be absent this season for several heartbreaking reasons. Further, a Houston Rockets team eliminated the Lakers from the 1981 NBA Playoffs in the first round. So expect to see Moses Malone and more this season.
Winning Time Season 2: Release Date
While there’s news circling that the show is currently under production, Jeff Sneider of the Ankler recently dropped jolting news. He shared that Winning Time Season 2 will hit HBO in either the Spring or Summer of 2023. Jeff also hints that fans can expect heavy promotion during the NBA Playoffs. While the network hasn’t announced a tentative release date, fans can expect soon the show will return. This is all for now. Stay tuned. TechRadar247 will keep you updated.