AMC’s “Halt and Catch Fire” started slow in Season 1 — a strategy that showrunner Jonathan Lisco told reporters at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on Saturday was intentional, but will not be repeated.
“AMC is one of these networks where you can burn a little more slowly.” Lisco explained away his first season pace, which was heavily backloaded with goodies. “It pays off in a way that mushrooms in your consciousness afterwards.”
Despite that ability and personal preference, this next one will be sped up with more digestible time lapses — or, “more grounded and a bit more contained,” Lisco said.
In the sophomore effort, character Donna Clark — who actress Kerry Bishe admitted she initially had concerns over being the series’ resident “wet blanket” — will have an even stronger, more independent year.
As Lisco put it: “Last season was Donna holding the string on Gordon’s kite — this season there will be two kites.”
In terms of the other main female character, the executive producer/writer said that the main question surrounding Mackenzie Davis‘ character will the following: “Will Cameron be able to continue an egalitarian approach to her business?”
Finally, of course, how could a room full of entertainment reporters resist asking the computer drama show folks about the recent Sony Pictures hack, that hijacked headlines late last year? Yeah, that happened at TCA.
“I have the answer, I just can’t share it with you,” male lead Lee Pace quipped.
Scoot McNairy one-upped him: “I hacked Sony.”