El Rey Network and Miramax announced today the start of production on the sophomore season of Robert Rodriguez’s “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” in Austin, TX. Returning to the supernatural series are all leading cast members including Wilmer Valderrama, D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Eiza González and Jesse Garcia.

El Rey Network Founder and Chairman, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will direct the first episode of the second season set to return late summer, 2015.

It’s exciting to see this go into a second season as the first was basically a rehash of Rodriguez’s film. A second season should explore new territory, as suggested on the below synopsis.

Season one of “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” centered on bank robber Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard “Richie” Gecko (Holtz), who were on the run to Mexico when they encountered former pastor Jacob Fuller (Robert Patrick) and his family, who were taken hostage. Using the family RV to cross the border, chaos ensued when the group detoured to the Titty Twister, a strip club populated by culebras, snake-like ancient creatures who survive by drinking human blood. They were forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive.

As prefaced above, Season Two explores a new chapter in this supernatural crime saga that expands the universe of our story across two borders from Mexico to the edgy, tricked-out Texas of Robert Rodriguez. It also deepens and complicates the core relationships between the characters, while adding new faces and dynamics. Season Two begins with our characters in their separate worlds – Santánico (González) and Richie (Holtz) are outside Houston, living like Bonnie and Clyde; Seth and Kate (Madison Davenport) are scraping by in the South of the Border; Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) is protecting his wife and young daughter in a Houston suburb: and Carlos Madrigal (Valderrama) and Scott Fuller (Brandon Soo-Hoo) emerge from the Titty Twister, as changed men. They will all come together once again – this time facing off against an even bigger threat.

The returning cast includes: D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation); Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower); Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera, Sons of Anarchy); Eiza González (Lola: Érase Una Vez); Wilmer Valderrama (That ’70s Show, To Whom It May Concern); Madison Davenport (Noah, Shameless); and Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, Ender’s Game, Incredible Crew).

Additional directors who will be directing episodes this season include Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project), Alejandro Brugues (Juan of the Dead), Joe Menendez (Ladrón que roba a ladrón) and Dwight Little (Halloween 4: the Return of Michael Myers).

PHOTO: Production started in Austin TX today on the second season of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, for El Rey Network and Miramax. L to R – Eiza González (Santánico Pandemonium), Robert Rodriguez (Creator, Director and El Rey Network Chairman), Brandon Soo Hoo (Scott Fuller), Zane Holtz (Richie Gecko), Wilmer Valderrama (Carlos Madrigal), Jesse Garcia (Freddie Gonzalez), Madison Davenport (Kate Fuller), D.J. Cotrona (Seth Gecko), and Carlos Coto (Writer and Showrunner). Source: Kurt Volk/El Rey Network