The series stars Jeff Daniels as News Night host Will McAvoy and Emily Mortimer stars as Mackenzie McHale, the show’s executive producer.
The second season picks up a year later in the days leading up to election night 2012. The News Night staff are being prepared to give depositions in a lawsuit, the circumstances of which unfold throughout the season.
Covering the period from August 2011 to November 2012, the new season touches on the administration’s anti-terrorism policy, Occupy Wall Street, Troy Davis, Trayvon Martin, Benghazi and, of course, the primaries and general election.
Returning cast members include John Gallagher, Jr. as Jim Harper, Mackenzie’s loyal producer, currently covering the Romney campaign; Alison Pill as associate producer Maggie Jordan; Thomas Sadoski as Don Keefer, Will’s former executive producer; Dev Patel as resourceful self-made newsman Neal Sampat; Olivia Munn as financial news analyst Sloan Sabbith; and Sam Waterston as Charlie Skinner, Will’s old-school boss.
Also returning are Oscar winner Jane Fonda role as Leona Lansing, the CEO of ACN’s parent company, Atlantis World Media and Hope Davis will return as gossip columnist Nina Howard.