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The post-apocalyptic TV show has made a triumphant return to its platform, and it's fair to say that audiences were agreeably astonished by the caliber of its first season. By portraying the retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic United States through the lenses of three different characters, it succeeded in capturing various facets of the player's experience.

We followed vault-dweller Lucy, attempting to act with integrity and finding that the barren landscape made that very difficult; Max, the militant faction initiate, who starts doubting his cult's authority and causes plenty of trouble in robotic power armour; and the Ghoul, a breakout character who has long since lost any moral compass out in the irradiated wastes.

Building Anticipation for Season Two

The show's first season conclusion revealed a major secret about those responsible for the nuclear war that trapped a group of people in subterranean shelters for centuries. It also posed numerous mysteries open for the second season – and, this time, anticipations are much greater.

“We’ll take ‘not terrible’ – we should print that on merchandise,” says the show's co-creator.

“Starting the first season, people were like, ‘Just get it right’,” adds Todd Howard. “We are thrilled with the feedback to the show, so now people are coming in with more eagerness and different expectations.”

A New Vegas Vibe for Season Two

The new season is taking place in the neon-lit city, the backdrop of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is widely regarded for having the sharpest dialogue and characters in the series, despite the fact that it was a bit broken at launch.

“It’s more of a desert vibe, a Southwestern essence, that’s so essential to that game,” says the co-creator. “That parched, desolate Route 66 vibe of the game is so much enjoyable to bring into the show.”

In the series narrative, a considerable period has elapsed since the events of the New Vegas game by the time the characters make their way there. Yet, the creators suggest that it does reference the gamer's experience.

The Importance of Physical Sets

The Fallout TV series is distinguished by its tangible quality – its makers insisted on real props and sets were constructed, reflecting the improvised nature of the towns in the games.

“Being a genre enthusiast, so many series I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all standing in front of a green screen,” comments another of the showrunners. “The key objective of an adaptation, particularly of a interactive medium, is to appear as if it’s real.”

In fact, almost every element you see on-screen is physical, even the legendarily scary irradiated monsters known as the apex predators. In the show, they are brought to life with practical effects, and were reportedly rather intimidating up close.

A Labor of Love

The Fallout series resonates because it is developed by talented film-makers who are also passionate gamers, in collaboration with the original creators behind the franchise. This mutual respect for the world is evident in the final product.

The second season is launching on a weekly basis rather than as a all-at-once release, marking a change from the previous season. This schedule will foster a different weekly discussion, something the creators themselves are excited to observe.

“It has more depth, it’s more expansive, it’s wittier, it has a lot of twists,” teases Howard. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”