‘Justified: City Primeval’ Is Primed for a Second Season

justified ending explained raylan givens timothy olyphant
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Spoilers follow for Justified and Justified: City Primeval.

Justified: City Primeval, the continuation of the FX series Justified has just aired its finale on FX, and what a doozy it was. Like the original show, this revival series was based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, and followed Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) in his pursuit of criminal Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook).

But after the climactic showdown between the U.S. Marshal and the "Oklahoma Wildman," which ended in Mansell's violent death, the season finale had one more sting in its tail.

Up until now, Olyphant's Raylan had been the only character from the original Justified to be transported to Detroit for City Primeval. The finale changed that, allowing viewers to catch up with another iconic character: Boyd Crowder, played by Walton Goggins.

Boyd was Raylan's friend, foil, and enemy—it depended on the season—for much of Justified, and when we see him in "The Question" he is right where Raylan left him, in prison. Not for long, though. The first season of Justified: City Primeval ends with Boyd making a daring prison break, and Raylan receiving a call to inform him that his old nemesis is out there again.

All of which has got fans itching for a second season already.

justified ending explained raylan givens timothy olyphant
FX

Will there be a Season 2 of Justified: City Primeval?

As of right now, it's unclear. Justified: City Primeval was conceived as a miniseries, and so far no sequel has been announced. But that cliffhanger ending leaves all kinds of narrative doors open: Will Raylan abandon his retirement and the promise he made to his daughter, and go off in chase of Boyd? Might Boyd seek him out? And is Boyd beyond redemption?

And if the writers wanted to continue their tradition of using Elmore Leonard novels as inspiration for storylines, there are still plenty of books from the respected (and prolific) crime writer that have yet to be adapted for the screen, including the Edgar Award-winning LaBrava.

justified ending explained raylan givens timothy olyphant
FX

There is certainly recent precedent for a revival getting turned into a multi-season show in its own right. Star Trek: Picard, a continuation of '90s Trek shows, brought its third and final season to a close earlier this year, while Sex and the City sequel And Just Like That has been renewed for a third year. So there is certainly hope for fans of Justified.

Who would be in the cast of Season 2?

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Olyphant shared his hopes for a second season. "I can only tell you from my point of view, that if we are so lucky to get to do more, I feel like we could bring any cast member back from either incarnation of the show," he said. "The world expanded. The writers deserve a tremendous amount of credit for taking this big swing."

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