‘The Hot Zone: Anthrax’: How Many Episodes Are There and When Do They Air?
National Geographic is following up its 2019 limited series The Hot Zone, which focused on an Ebola outbreak, with a second season that explores the 2001 anthrax attacks. The Hot Zone: Anthrax, which stars Daniel Dae Kim and Tony Goldwyn, debuted Sunday, Nov. 28. Here’s everything you need to know about the new TV show, including how many episodes there will be and when they air.
‘The Hot Zone: Anthrax’ is inspired by the 2001 anthrax attacks
The Hot Zone: Anthrax is based on the 2001 anthrax attacks, which took place in the weeks following 9/11.
On Sept. 18, 2011, someone mailed letters containing anthrax spores to a number of media companies. Recipients included the publisher of the National Enquirer, NBC, and CBS. Additional letters were later sent to the offices of two U.S. Senators. Ultimately, close to two dozen people were infected and five people died.
At first, people feared Al Qaeda was behind the anthrax attacks. But the focus of the investigation eventually turned to scientists with expertise in bioweapons and biodefense.
‘The Hot Zone: Anthrax’ features both real and composite characters
While The Hot Zone Season 2 is based on real events, writers created several characters specifically for the series. That includes star Daniel Dae Kim’s Matthew Ryker, who is the FBI agent in charge of the investigation in the show. Ryker is a composite character inspired by various FBI agents who investigated the attacks.
However, Scandal alum Goldwyn plays a character based on a real person. Bruce Ivins was a biodefense researcher at United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Harry Hamlin plays NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, whose office received one of the anthrax letters.
‘The Hot Zone’ Season 2 airs over three nights
The Hot Zone: Anthrax is a limited, six-episode series. The first two episodes aired on National Geographic on Nov. 28. Two more episodes will air on Nov. 29 starting at 9 p.m ET. The show concludes on Nov. 30 with the final two episodes.
The first two episodes of The Hot Zone: Anthrax are currently streaming on Hulu. The subsequent four episodes will be available to stream the day after they air on National Geographic.
Will there be a ‘Hot Zone’ Season 3?
The Hot Zone Season 1 aired in May 2019 on National Geographic. It starred Julianna Margulies, Noah Emmerich, and Topher Grace and was based on the 1994 best-selling book The Hot Zone by Richard Preston.
National Geographic renewed The Hot Zone for season 2 in late 2020. So far, there’s no word on whether the show will return for a third season.
The Hot Zone: Anthrax continues on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 on National Geographic at 9 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.
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