The Leftovers (TV series)

The Leftovers

The LEFTOVERS, written in gray letters, lit from behind by a white background, casting forwards a shadow of the letters.

Season 1 title card
Genre
Created by
Based on The Leftovers
by Tom Perrotta
Starring
Theme music composer Max Richter (season 1)
Opening theme
  • "Let the Mystery Be" by Iris DeMent (season 2 and series finale)
  • Various (season 3)
Composer(s) Max Richter
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 28 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Nan Bernstein Freed (season 1)
  • Patrick Markey (season 2)
  • Alma Kuttruff (season 3)
  • Amanda Crittenden (season 3)
Location(s)
Cinematography
Running time 51–72 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network HBO
Original release June 29, 2014 (2014-06-29) – June 4, 2017 (2017-06-04)
External links
Website hbo.com/the-leftovers/

The Leftovers is an American television drama series created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, that aired on HBO from June 29, 2014, to June 4, 2017.[1] It is based on Perrotta's novel of the same name.[2] The pilot was written by Lindelof and Perrotta, and directed by Peter Berg.[3] The series stars an ensemble cast featuring Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, Chris Zylka, Margaret Qualley, Carrie Coon, Ann Dowd, and Regina King. The series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 4, 2015, and concluded December 6, 2015.[4][5] On December 10, 2015, HBO renewed the show for a third and final season,[6] which premiered on April 16, 2017 and concluded on June 4, 2017.[7]

Premise

The Leftovers starts three years after a global event called the "Sudden Departure", the inexplicable, simultaneous disappearance of 140 million people, 2% of the world's population, on October 14, 2011.[8] Following that event, mainstream religions declined, and a number of cults emerged, most notably the Guilty Remnant.[9]

The first season revolves around the Garvey family and their acquaintances in the fictional town of Mapleton, New York. Kevin Garvey is the Chief of Police. His wife Laurie has joined the Guilty Remnant. Their son Tommy has left home for college, and their daughter Jill is acting out.[2] In the second season, the lead characters move to the fictional town of Jarden, Texas, where not a single citizen was lost in the "Sudden Departure". The third and final season unfolds three years later, in 2018, starting 14 days before the cryptic seventh anniversary of the Sudden Departure, with events taking the main characters to Australia.

Cast and characters

Main

Notes

1.^ During season 3, Tyler, Qualley, Dowd, Moloney, King and Glenn are only credited with the main cast in the episodes in which they appear.

Recurring

Development and production

HBO acquired rights for series development with Perrotta attached as writer/executive producer and Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger as executive producers in August 2011, shortly before the book came out.[11]

In June 2012, Damon Lindelof was announced to be developing the series alongside Perrotta, and serves as the series' showrunner.[2]

The pilot was ordered in February 2013.[12] On September 16, 2013, HBO announced that they were taking The Leftovers to series, ordering a 10-episode first season.[13] The Leftovers is the first HBO series to be acquired from an outside studio, Warner Bros. Television, and not solely produced in-house by HBO (though parent company Time Warner owns both).[14]

Second season promotional art

The first season covers the entirety of the book; the second season is completely original material.[15] In April 2015, it was reported that the setting for the second season would shift from Mapleton, New York to a small town in Texas.[16] The series shifted filming locations from New York to Austin, Texas, with nearby Lockhart serving as the mainstreet of fictional Jarden, Texas, when principal photography commenced in late April.[17][18] For the second season, which features several changes, including cast, location, and storylines; Lindelof cited The Wire and Friday Night Lights as influences.[19][20]

Third and final season promotional art

The final season began principal photography in early May 2016, in Austin.[21] In June 2016, the production moved to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, where it filmed the remainder of the series and completed post-production. On the move to Melbourne, Lindelof said, "We're immensely grateful for the opportunity to try something that looks and feels different from the preceding seasons and we absolutely cannot wait to bring our story to its conclusion down under."[22][23] It was also confirmed that the season would have a shortened 8-episode run.[24]

Casting

In June 2013, casting announcements began. Justin Theroux, Liv Tyler, Christopher Eccleston, Ann Dowd, Amanda Warren, Michael Gaston, and Carrie Coon were announced to star in the pilot.[25][26][27]

For the second season, eight of the 14 main cast members from season one returned,[5] while Emily Meade, Amanda Warren, Annie Q., Max Carver, Charlie Carver and Michael Gaston did not.[28] In April 2015, casting began for a Black American family comprising a father, ex-convict John Murphy; his hearing-impaired doctor wife, Erika; and their teenage children Evie, an outgoing athlete, and Michael, a pious Christian.[16] The roles of John, Erika, and Michael are portrayed by Kevin Carroll, Regina King and Jovan Adepo, respectively, all as series regulars.[29][30] Darius McCrary was cast in a recurring role as Isaac Rayney, John's friend and a palm reader.[30] Steven Williams was cast in a recurring role, playing Virgil, a confidant of Kevin's.[31] Janel Moloney, who had a recurring role in the first season as Mary Jamison, was promoted to a regular cast member in season two.[5]

For the third season, it was confirmed in May 2016 that the entire main cast from the second season would return, with the exception of Dowd, and that Scott Glenn and Jasmin Savoy Brown had been promoted to series regulars,[24] however, Brown remained a guest star for the third season. Actress Lindsay Duncan joined the cast on December 6, 2016.[32] Main cast members Michael Gaston and Annie Q. from season one returned as guest stars.

Opening credits and theme music

The main title from the first season uses "The Leftovers (Main Title Theme)", an original piece of music by composer Max Richter, accompanied by images like a fresco in the style of the Sistine Chapel. The second season uses "Let the Mystery Be" by Iris DeMent. In addition, the opening changes to one that shows images of pictures and people who were departed missing from them and in their place is various images of earth-related phenomena like rain, clouds, aurora borealis and lightning. Season 3 retains the opening from Season 2 but several episodes contain a different theme song. In addition, the Season 1 main title theme and the song "Let the Mystery Be" were both reprised for the penultimate episode and series finale respectively.

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110June 29, 2014 (2014-06-29)September 7, 2014 (2014-09-07)
210October 4, 2015 (2015-10-04)December 6, 2015 (2015-12-06)
38April 16, 2017 (2017-04-16)June 4, 2017 (2017-06-04)

Reception

Critical response

Season Critical response
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1 81% (60 reviews) 65/100 (42 reviews)
2 93% (33 reviews) 80/100 (22 reviews)
3 98% (35 reviews) 98/100 (17 reviews)

Season one of The Leftovers received mostly positive reviews from critics. Metacritic scored season one 65 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33] Rotten Tomatoes scored the season 81%, based on 60 reviews, with an average rating of 7.68/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Its dour tone and self-seriousness may make for somber viewing, but The Leftovers is an artfully crafted, thought-provoking drama that aims high and often hits its mark."[34] IGN reviewer Matt Fowler gave consistently high scores to all the season one episodes, including two perfect 10 scores for "Two Boats and a Helicopter" and the season finale "The Prodigal Son Returns."[35] He then gave the entire first season a review score of 9.4 out of 10, particularly praising the character-centric episodes, Max Richter's score and the performances, particularly Carrie Coon's.[36]

Season two received critical acclaim. On Metacritic, it has a score of 80 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[37] Rotten Tomatoes gave the second season a rating of 93% with an average score of 8.73 out of 10 based on 33 critic reviews, with the critical consensus "The Leftovers continues to be unpredictable and provocative in season two with its new location, though the inexplicable circumstances will still frustrate many viewers."[38] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix gave it an "A" grade and wrote that "The Leftovers is still TV's best drama as season 2 begins"; it has "tighter focus, but same powerful, immersive experience".[39] In his five out of five star review, Todd VanDerWerff of Vox wrote: "It's a show that wants to provoke a reaction in you, whether it's admiration, hatred, or just bafflement. It's HBO's best drama—and thus must-see TV."[40]

The third season has received unanimous acclaim from critics. On Metacritic, it has a score of 98 out of 100 based on 17 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[41] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 98% rating with an average score of 9.43 out of 10 based on 35 reviews with the critical consensus "With reliably ambitious storytelling and outstanding performances from its cast, Season 3 of The Leftovers approaches the series' conclusion as thoughtfully, purposefully, and confidently as it began."[42] Maureen Ryan of Variety wrote the final season "is spectacular, in every sense of that word."[43]

Critics' top ten lists

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards Most Exciting New Series The Leftovers Won [46]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Main Title - TV Show/Digital Streaming Series Max Richter Won [47]
Outstanding Music Supervision - Television Liza Richardson Nominated
2015 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Christopher Eccleston Nominated [48]
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Carrie Coon Nominated
International Film Music Critics Award Best Original Score for a Drama Series Max Richter Nominated [49]
Gold Derby TV Awards Best Drama Supporting Actress Carrie Coon Nominated [50]
Satellite Awards Best Genre Series The Leftovers Nominated [51]
Best Supporting Actor for a Series, Miniseries, or TV Film Christopher Eccleston Nominated
Best Supporting Actress for a Series, Miniseries, or TV Film Ann Dowd Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Long Form Adapted Damon Lindelof & Tom Perrotta for "Pilot" Nominated [52]
2016 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Drama Series The Leftovers Nominated [53]
Best Actor in a Drama Series Justin Theroux Nominated
Best Actress in a Drama Series Carrie Coon Won
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Christopher Eccleston Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Ann Dowd Nominated
Regina King Nominated
Gold Derby TV Awards Best Drama Series The Leftovers Nominated [54]
Ensemble of the Year The cast of The Leftovers Nominated
Best Drama Leading Actor Justin Theroux Nominated
Best Drama Leading Actress Carrie Coon Nominated
Best Drama Supporting Actor Christopher Eccleston Nominated
Best Drama Supporting Actress Regina King Nominated
Best Drama Episode "International Assassin" Won
Satellite Awards Best Genre Series The Leftovers Nominated [55]
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in Drama The Leftovers Nominated [56]
USC Scripter Award Outstanding Writing – Television Damon Lindelof and Jacqueline Hoyt for "Axis Mundi" Nominated [57]
Writers Guild of America Awards Episodic Drama Damon Lindelof & Nick Cuse for "International Assassin" Nominated [58]
2017 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Ann Dowd Pending [59]
Television Critics Association Awards Individual Achievement in Drama Carrie Coon (for The Leftovers and Fargo) Won [60]
Program of the Year The Leftovers Nominated

Critics' top ten lists

Home media

The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on October 6, 2015. The set contains two audio commentaries and four behind-the-scenes featurettes.[63] The second season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 9, 2016.[64]

References

  1. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 25, 2014). "'The Leftovers' Premiere Date Shifted to June 29". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Adalian, Josef (June 28, 2012). "Damon Lindelof Talks to Vulture About His New HBO Project: Tom Perrotta's The Leftovers". Vulture. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (April 12, 2013). "Peter Berg to Direct, Produce Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot 'The Leftovers'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ Snierson, Dan (August 13, 2014). "HBO renews 'The Leftovers'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Fowler, Matt (July 30, 2015). "The Leftovers: Season 2 Premiere Date and Story Details". IGN. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  6. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (December 10, 2015). "The Leftovers Renewed for Third and 'Wildly Ambiguous' Final Season". TVLine. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (January 24, 2017). "The Leftovers' Final Season Gets Premiere Date, Teaser Trailer". TVLine. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  8. ↑ Tanner Stransky (June 30, 2014). "Co-Creator Tom Perrotta Answers: Why October 14?". HBO. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ Kirsch, Adam (August 5, 2014). "Finally, a TV Show That Truly Takes Religion Seriously". New Republic. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  10. ↑ Sanberg, Bryn (June 23, 2016). "'The Leftovers' Adds Lindsay Duncan, Final Season to Air in 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  11. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2013). "Damon Lindelof & Tom Perrotta's 'Leftovers' Gets Pilot Order At HBO". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  12. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (February 8, 2014). "Damon Lindelof's 'The Leftovers' Scores Pilot Order at HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  13. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (September 16, 2013). "Damon Lindelof's 'The Leftovers' Gets Series Order At HBO". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  14. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley; Rose, Lacey (September 16, 2013). "Damon Lindelof's 'The Leftovers' Ordered to Series at HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  15. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (September 8, 2014). "The Leftovers' Carrie Coon Talks Silent Finale Surprise, Liv Tyler's Punishment and Season 2 'Terror'". TVLine. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  16. 1 2 Ausiello, Michael (April 1, 2015). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Leftovers, Masters of Sex, Flash, Bones, Castle, Grimm, Empire and More". TVLine. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  17. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (April 10, 2015). "It's Official: HBO's The Leftovers Will Mess With Texas in Season 2". TVLine. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  18. ↑ Lascala, Marisa (October 4, 2015). "Is 'The Leftovers' Miracle Town of Jarden Texas Real?". Bustle. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  19. ↑ Cabin, Chris (May 12, 2015). "THE LEFTOVERS Season 2: Damon Lindelof Teases New Direction, THE WIRE's Influence". Collider. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  20. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (October 2, 2015). "Damon Lindelof on How FNL (and Not Twin Peaks) Inspired The Leftovers' Radical Season 2 Overhaul". TVLine. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ Brenneman, Amy (April 12, 2015). "We start shooting @TheLeftoversHBO next month! Yes, I am in the final season. Gonna be E-Pic!". Twitter. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  22. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (April 27, 2016). "'The Leftovers' Is Moving to Australia in Season 3 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  23. ↑ Knox, David (June 5, 2016). "HBO series The Leftovers to film in Melbourne". TV Tonight. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  24. 1 2 Ausiello, Michael (May 6, 2016). "The Leftovers' Final Season Cast Revealed: Who's In? Who's Out?". TVLine. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  25. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 10, 2013). "Christopher Eccleston, Carrie Coon Among 4 Cast in Damon Lindelof's 'The Leftovers'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  26. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 18, 2013). "Michael Gaston Cast In HBO's 'Leftovers', Amanda Walsh Leads Fox's 'WTF America'". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  27. ↑ Marechal, AJ (June 4, 2013). "Justin Theroux to Star in Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot 'The Leftovers'". Variety. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  28. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (December 6, 2014). "'Leftovers' Shakes Up Supporting Cast For Season 2 As Series Moves To New Locale". Deadline.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  29. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 20, 2015). "Regina King Joins 'Leftovers' As Regular". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  30. 1 2 Ausiello, Michael (May 1, 2015). "The Leftovers Season 2: Family Matters Alum Among 3 New Additions". TVLine. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  31. ↑ Petski, Denise (May 21, 2015). "Steven Williams Joins 'The Leftovers'; Gabriela De La Garza In 'Narcos'". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  32. ↑ Travers, Ben (December 6, 2016). "'The Leftovers' Season 3: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta Announce Release Date for Final Season in Video". Indiewire. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  33. ↑ "The Leftovers : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  34. ↑ "The Leftovers: Season 1 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  35. ↑ "The Leftovers". IGN. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  36. ↑ Fowler, Matt (September 11, 2014). "The Leftovers: Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  37. ↑ "The Leftovers : Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  38. ↑ "The Leftovers: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  39. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (September 30, 2015). "Review: 'The Leftovers' is still TV's best drama as season 2 begins". HitFix. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  40. ↑ VanDerWerff, Todd (October 2, 2015). "The Leftovers season 2 is more accessible without giving up what makes the show great". Vox. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  41. ↑ "The Leftovers : Season 3". Metacritic. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  42. ↑ "The Leftovers: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  43. ↑ Ryan, Maureen (April 12, 2017). "TV Review: 'The Leftovers' Season 3 on HBO". Variety. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  44. ↑ Dietz, Jason (December 9, 2014). "Best of 2014: Television Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015.
  45. ↑ Dietz, Jason (December 8, 2015). "Best of 2015: Television Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016.
  46. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 9, 2014). "Critics' Choice TV Awards Name Top New Series, Sets Ryan Murphy For Icon Honor". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  47. ↑ "2014 HMMA WINNERS". November 5, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  48. ↑ Li, Shirley (May 6, 2014). "The Critics' Choice TV Awards 2015: And the nominees are...". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  49. ↑ "IFMCA Award Nominations 2014". Film Music Critics. September 17, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  50. ↑ Montgomery, Daniel (February 5, 2015). "Gold Derby TV Awards: 'Game of Thrones' sweeps, big wins for Amy Schumer, 'Parks and Rec'". Gold Derby. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  51. ↑ Pond, Steve (December 1, 2014). "'Birdman' Leads Satellite Awards Nominations". The Wrap. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  52. ↑ Gelman, Vlada (December 4, 2014). "Good Wife, True Detective, Thrones, Louie Among 2015 WGA Nominees". TVLine. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  53. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 17, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards: TV Winners Include Fargo, Mr. Robot, Master of None, Rachel Bloom and Carrie Coon". TVLine. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  54. ↑ Montgomery, Daniel (July 26, 2016). "Gold Derby TV Awards: 'Veep,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'Fargo' & 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' top nominations". Gold Derby. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Satellite Awards (2015)". International Press Academy. December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  56. ↑ Prudom, Laura (June 22, 2016). "'Mr. Robot,' 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' Lead TCA Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  57. ↑ "'The Big Short,' 'Show Me a Hero' Win at USC Scripter Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. February 20, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  58. ↑ McNary, Dave (February 13, 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  59. ↑ Bacle, Ariana (July 13, 2017). "Emmys 2017: See the full list of nominees here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  60. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (August 5, 2017). "TCA Awards: The Handmaid's Tale, Atlanta, Big Little Lies, Carrie Coon Among Big Winners". TVLine. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  61. ↑ "Top Television Shows of 2014". HitFix. 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  62. ↑ "Top Television Shows of 2015". HitFix. 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  63. ↑ Lambert, David (June 23, 2015). "The Leftovers – Press Release Announces 'The Complete 1st Season' for DVD, Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  64. ↑ Lambert, David (December 9, 2015). "The Leftovers – Warner's Press Release Announces 'The Complete 2nd Season'". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
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