Marvel's Legion Renewed For Season 2 At FX

Legion Dan Stevens Marvel Noah Hawley Brian Singer FX Season 2

FX's Legion has offered up some of the best television of the winter season, and critics and fans alike are praising the show, which is a far departure from your typical Marvel or X-Men series. For these reasons and more, FX has pulled the trigger and confirmed that we will indeed be seeing a Season 2 of the series, which will be continuing Noah Hawley's take on the psychic mutant David Haller, a.k.a. Legion.

The renewal comes with only three episodes remaining in the eight-episode Season 1, and it's on the heels of some other exciting news. Just a couple weeks ago, we reported that Patrick Stewart was 100% down for appearing as his iconic X-Men character Charles Xavier in the series, which would be huge news for Season 2 of Legion. Without getting too spoilery (head here for the story), suffice to say the inclusion of Stewart would be one of the first truly blatant connections Legion would share with the Marvel cinematic universe. Showrunner Noah Hawley and Director Brian Singer have indicated the show is connected to the films, but we've seen little evidence to that fact in the first half of episodes. Bringing in Stewart would bring more fans to the series, which has struggled to find a large audience in its inaugural season.

While the acclaim for the series has been high, ratings sit a bit lower. The numbers tell us Legion averages about 1.3 to 2.8 million viewers an episode when you figure in the Live+7 Day DVR crowd. In terms of FX, that's a solid audience, but by no means a world-beater when it comes to network shows. (Of course, network shows with higher ratings get cancelled all the time, so there's a tradeoff.) The inclusion of someone like Patrick Stewart might propel the series to greater viewership, which no one should possibly decline now that the series is set for Season 2.

For those who haven't experienced Legion yet, this isn't a Marvel series you've seen before. It takes the Strange from Doctor Strange and mashes it with Requiem For A Dream to a tremendous effect. Those familiar with the David Haller of X-Men comics will notice the take on the character does have its differences, but he's more or less he's the same guy, with actor Dan Stevens doing a great job with the role, as do the many other actors attached to the series, such as Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Rachel Keller and more.

If you're late to the party, it'll only take you about six hours to catch up, and if you're a fan of X-Men and Marvel, I highly suggest you do. Legion returns with Chapter 6 tonight at 10 p.m. ET on FX. Of course, you can count on us to keep you in the loop with any and all updates we have for Season 2, including if Patrick Stewart finds his way on their set! Binge up for tonight's episode, or if you're already caught up head over to our midseason premiere guide and our summer premiere schedule for more new shows to enjoy.

Mick Joest
Content Producer

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.