According to Deadline, work on the second installment of the Paramount+ series American Tragedies: Waco - The Trials has begun, and the cast has been completed. John Leguizamo, the series' star, will reprise his role as ATF agent Jacob Vazquez, with newcomers David Costabile, J. Smith Cameron, John Hoogenakker, Keean Johnson, and Abbey Lee.
The terrible and unbelievable actual story of the Branch Dividians and their leader, David Koresh, was the subject of the first season of the series, which premiered in 2018. (Taylor Kitsch). Waco was a 1993 film that chronicled the circumstances leading up to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms' bungled raid on a religious group (ATF). The series demonstrated how political pressure and previous mistakes propelled the ATF into a perilous position that resulted in a 51-day standoff and 80 deaths.
American Tragedies: Waco - The Trials will reveal how the circumstances surrounding the Branch Davidians lit a fire under the 'Patriot' movement, which would lead to such extremism as the Oklahoma City bombing just two years later, just as the first season of Waco did with how the events of the Ruby Ridge standoff led to the devastation in Waco. As the title suggests, the second season will also focus on the allegations of conspiracy to murder federal agents brought against the Branch Dividians' surviving members.
Costabile, who is most known for his role as "Wags" in the hit series Billions, will preside over the trial as the honorable Judge Smith. Smith Cameron, who previously starred in HBO's Succession, will take over as the Branch Davidians' leader and Prophetess, Lois Roden. Roden's spouse, Benjamin Roden, formed the Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he and his wife served as co-presidents until their deaths. Lois took control at that point. Vernon Howell, aka David Koresh, will join the church at this point in the series.
David Koresh's first Branch Davidians adherent, Clive Doyle, is Hoogenakker (Dopesick). Doyle, blindly faithful to the cult leader, continued to follow Koresh's teachings even after his daughter was killed in a fire at the Davidians' base, Mount Carmel. Vernon Howell, nicknamed the young David Koresh, is played by Johnson (Euphoria). He'll portray a religious leader who persuades followers that he's the Messiah chosen by God. Finally, Carol Howe will be played by Lee (Lovecraft Country). Howe began her life as a Southern working lady before abandoning it to become a neo-Nazi, proving that one can live a million lives. But it doesn't stop there for Howe, who goes on to become a federal informant thanks to her intimate knowledge.
While many shows have only a few compelling characters, producers and showrunners Drew and John Erick Dowdle ensured that Waco was filled with larger-than-life characters, the majority of whom are based on real-life people. Michael Shannon, who played FBI negotiator Gary Noesner in the first season, also serves as an executive producer.
While no specific date has been announced, we do know that the series will premiere in 2023 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Waco standoff.
