Hallelujah! In Treatment Will Return
(Oct 23, 2009) Some news to warm the heart on a dreary Friday afternoon: HBO has agreed to bring back Emmy winner In Treatment for a 3rd season.
In tandem with that bit of good news is official word that the heartthrob of middle-age women everywhere (and Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee) Gabriel Byrne will reprise his role as Dr. Paul Weston, a therapist with compassion for his patients but who struggles with his own problems. The Box made the announcement late today.
The series is heavily based on an Israeli show. That series ran for 2 seasons in Israel, meaning HBO must create a 3rd season from scratch. The time, creativity and expense of doing that apparently led to HBO deliberating on the decision for months before making today’s announcement. Another factor was the strain the series puts on Byrne. The Irish-born actor is on screen constantly and he was unsure that he wanted to return to In Treatment’s grueling shooting schedule. The series will begin shooting again early in 2010, HBO said. It will run on HBO later in the year.
No doubt, HBO took its time on this one, holding off until now, making the small but loyal group of In Treatment addicts (yes, I see the irony in that choice of words) suffer for months and probably leading many of them to seek therapy. The logical place and time to have made the announcement was in Hollywood late in July, during the semi-annual meeting of television critics and reporters who cover TV known as TCA. But HBO remained mum during that time, saying only that it was evaluating a 3rd season.
Joining the show as executive producers are Anya Epstein (HBO’s Tell Me You Love Me) and Danny Futterman (Capote). Returning executive producers on the show include Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg and Hagai Levi. It is expected that Paris Barclay will return as an executive producer/director.
Comment by Lyta
Finally, we’ve been waiting for so long but it was worth it! IT is definitely the best and most original thing on TV right now. Can’t wait to see how the show will evolve now that new scripts will have to be written, but glad to know also that some of the old team are remaining onboard.
That was a surprisingly wise decision on the part of HBO.
Comment by Seth Arenstein
Thanks for reading, Lyta. This announcement is good news indeed. I, agree with you, the new scripts will be crucial, but the fact that there’s continuity on the producing side gives me hope. And, of course, having Gabriel Byrne back is crucial.
Comment by Lyta
It’s true he had expressed his concerns about the exhausting schedule. The show wouldn’t have been the same without him. I’m really glad he stayed! (Although not middle aged yet I developed quite a crush on him, I must admit…)
I wonder if Paul’s sessions with Gina will return. The dynamics between the two therapists added some extra perspective to the week’s sessions. These two have patched things up more than once, maybe there’s hope yet of Diane Wiest returning…
Comment by LeslieC
I’m ecstatic about a season three…In Treatment is a welcome respite from the river of brainless reality show sludge on network TV. By the way, Gabriel Byrne is the heart-throb of SMART and intelligent women everywhere, an appreciable number of whom are younger than middle-age. I met this spectacular man at the LA Irish Film Festival recently and women of ALL stripes and ages were completely enamored of him, though admittedly, his brand of soulful, articulate, eloquent, charming, subtle sexiness resonates quite powerfully with women of a certain depth. The man is still hot and women just know it.
It’s great for TV that HBO stood by this show. The production team appears to be a finely-calibrated alchemy of new folks with fresh ideas combined with the experienced folks who know how to get it right every time. I expect season three to be the best ever. Congratulations and bravo to HBO, Gabriel Byrne (YES!!), and the cast and crew…knock it out of the park, y’all!!!
Comment by Lyta
I absolutely agree with Leslie’s post above. I’d take Gabriel Byrne over some young Hollywood sensation anytime. He conveys a sense of depth, understanding and charm that is simply incomparable. His discreetness I think it also part of his charm, there is content behind every emotion or reaction he displays. He makes a very memorable impression, not little of which has to do with how sexy he is.
So many people are happy to see IT back, I think the team is going to put out a great effort and I feel absolutely confident this will be a great season. In the meantime we’ll be comforted with Season 2 on DVD.
Comment by Seth Arenstein
OK, Leslie C and Lyta, I knew I’d take it on the chin for that crack about Gabriel Byrne. You both are correct, he’s appealing to smart women of any age and for a variety of reasons: his charm, his accent, his passion, his hair, his sweaters…I could go on, but you obviously get the point. Thanks for reading…and keeping me in line.
Comment by Lyta
Come to think of it, all of those things are very charming of course, it goes without saying, but the most attractive characteristic of Gabriel Byrne in my opinion is that he is intelligent and perceptive. He looks like someone who could have a meaningful conversation with a woman, who could understand her. In these days of bubblegum relationships that’s a pretty big thing…
Other than that I love your IT articles, they’re among the best in the net! We’ll have more to comment when the new season begins (feels great saying that, “new season”…)
Comment by Nora
Great news!
Been waiting a long time for that news! Gabriel Byrne is the perfect man for this role. It is as if he’s not even acting…as if it was just natural for him to do what he does in here…amazing. Wonder if the show changes though, now they need to write the script for themself.
But God, I’m glad they decided to do so!
Comment by Pam
You know, I didn’t even want to like In Treatment. I missed the whole first season and then when the second one started up I watched a few trailers. No. No. I don’t want to watch “therapy”. Well, it turned out to be worth every minute. Such a fine actor Gabriel Byrne!! He truly seems made for this role. I cannot at times believe he is not a real therapist. I feel like calling him up and asking for an appointment! I imagine that would be one long waiting list. Looking forward to the new season. Thanks HBO!
Comment by carla
I can’t wait but I do hope they bring Gina back and maybe as a love interest for Paul. That would be a great story line. He needs a bit of a life….
Comment by Ann J Harris
IN Treatment is the most intelligent and smartest written and acted drama on TV. I am sorry but not surprised that the masses have not embraced it. Avatar and Bruce Willis action films are what most viewers like. I love the series and want to know when it will return. It is April already and not sign of it. Please advise us viewers. Not smart for HBO to leave faithful viewers hanging.
Comment by Cassandra
Great news .. been hoping for news of a third season since last season ended, but fear Gabriel Byrne will not commit to a forth. He is in every scene and most Actors need Varity. So for all us HUGE “In Treatment” fans that rearrange our lives as to not miss an episode. This may be it .. so let’s all enjoy the third and most likely finale season of “In Treatment”.