By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Donald Glover has won industry and critical acclaim as well as awards for the series “Atlanta.” But Glover surprised many observers last week when it was announced that after next year’s fourth season “Atlanta” will end. The decision was revealed by FX chairman John Landgraf, even while celebrating the return of the program for a third season beginning in March. Glover later went into more detail about the decision while talking with the Television Critics Association.
“To be honest, I wanted to end it after Season 2, and I think we had talked about that for a minute,” Glover said during a press conference covered by various outlets. “Like, we had talked about [how] death is natural. I feel like when the conditions are right for something, they happen, and when the conditions aren’t right for it, they don’t happen. You can’t do too much. I feel like the story was always supposed to be what it was, and the story…it really was us. Like, everybody in that writers’ room, everybody on set, it really was what we were going through and what we talked about, and that’s the only way I like to make things.
Glover also revealed that by the time decisions were being made about the fourth season, the writers’ room was completely integrated sexually. “[It was] like perfectly split,” he said. “We had big arguments about their relationship and what we want…it was great. And I think all of that came out in the season. So, I think it ends perfectly.” Glover added he’d be open to revising the series maybe a decade down the line. He brought up the idea of a Christmas series while Henry mentioned an animated series.
“We won’t be able to get Zazie,” Glover joked. She’ll be done with us by then. But, I mean, if people want to do it, if there’s a reason to do it, yeah. But it always depends. I like keeping my options open.”
The third season will take place almost entirely in Europe. “Earn” (Donald Glover), “Alfred / ‘Paper Boi’” (Brian Tyree Henry), “Darius” (LaKeith Stanfield) and “Van” (Zazie Beetz) are in the midst of a successful European tour. But the group faces new challenges as they are not insiders in their new surroundings. Plus they have enjoyed some success, but now must deal with its ramifications.
“Atlanta’s” first two seasons won five Emmy awards, but it’s been off the air almost three years. It returns March 24 on FX.
