TV Series 'Luck' Renewed for 2013 by HBO

"Luck," the racetrack-themed dramatic series which premiered on HBO Jan. 29, has been quickly renewed for a second season according to network officials. 

The series, which is centered primarily at Santa Anita and stars such actors as Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, and Dennis Farina, has garnered a gross audience of 3.1 million viewers to date, according to ratings compiled by Nielson. 

“This is good news for horse racing and great news for Santa Anita,” said Greg Avioli, CEO for Santa Anita Park. “We’re glad the show is off to a fast start and we look forward to working together with everyone at HBO on season two. By all accounts, Santa Anita appears on film as it is in person -- breathtakingly beautiful. To be able to command a world-wide stage of this magnitude for a second consecutive season is very gratifying and we believe, very good for business. We can’t wait.”

Season two will consist of 10 episodes and production is scheduled to begin in late February. It has a January 2013 target date for air.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the critical response to this beautiful piece of work,” said Michael Lombardo, president of programming for HBO. “We’re very excited about where David (Milch) and Michael (Mann) plan to take these incredible characters.”

Milch, who has owned two Breeders’ Cup winners and is the creator of smash hits such as NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, and Deadwood, has called "Luck" his “love letter” to horse racing. Mann is the widely acclaimed director of Miami Vice and is chiefly responsible for two-time Academy Award winner Hoffman undertaking his first starring role in a television series.

"Luck" offers viewers an often edgy, behind the scenes look at the world of horse racing and those that inhabit its many enclaves, including owners, trainers, jockeys, and gamblers.

Other notable members of the cast include John Ortiz, Richard Kind, Kevin Dunn, Ian Hart, Ritchie Coster, Jason Gedrick, Kerry Condon, (retired Hall of Fame jockey and current HRTV analyst) Gary Stevens, Tom Payne, and Jill Hennessy.

Season one of the series will consist of eight more episodes, which will air on HBO on Sunday nights.