Acclaimed actorMichael Shannonhas proven himself over the years to be one of the most versatile actors of his generation, while still at times shadowed by bigger names. Nonetheless, he continues to flex those talents, especially within the drama genre. His newest upcoming project,Waco: The Aftermath, will see him return to an exceptionally dramatic story about religious extremism. Picked up by the Showtime network after Paramount+ backed out, the sequel continues the story of the 2018 seriesWaco, which dives into the true story of infamous religious cult Branch Davidians. Per areportfrom Collider, ahead of its release, Showtime has dropped a new teaser trailer giving a first-hand look at the new series.
Related:The Best Times Michael Shannon Played a Villain or a Psychopath, Ranked
Waco: The Aftermathis being helmed by Drew Dowdle and John Erick Dowdle, the same showrunners as the first seriesWaco(2018). They executive produce alongside lead star Michael Shannon (Knives Out), Andrew Gettens (Sacred Lies), and Lauren Mackenzie (We The Kings). Also starring in the series are John Leguizamo (The Menu), Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar: The Way of Water), David Constabile (Billions), J. Smith Cameron (Succession), John Hoogenakker (Dopesick), Keean Johnson (Alita: Battle Angel), and Abbey Lee (Old).
The trailer above opens with a look back at the original series Waco, which detailed the mysterious and horrifying events that took place at the religious sect Branch Davidians. Cult leader David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) is seen continuing to indoctrinate unsuspecting members, making them believe that he is a messenger waiting for the son of God. His voice preaches ominously as victims are seen being subjected to all manner of harmful rituals, like gas chambers. “This is our time to prove through suffering that we are worthy of the miracle that is to come.” Michael Shannon stars as an FBI investigator sent to investigate the sect. A tense sequence of foreboding shots shows the gradual downward spiral within the sect, happy, otherwise normal people being brainwashed by any means necessary into delusions of holy miracles to come. Just like the real events that transpired, a weeks-long standoff with the ATF ends in fiery tragedy, with the compound burning down and numerous members dying.
The follow-up inWaco: The Aftermathdeals with the fallout of those tragic events in Waco, including trials for surviving members of the Branch Davidians and the origins of homegrown terrorist, Timothy McVeigh.
Showtime Emphasizes the Importance of a Series Like Waco in the Current Political Climate
WhileWaco: The Aftermathpurposefully coincides with the 30th anniversary of the initial fallout from the Waco disaster that saw a dangerous religious sect figuratively and literally implode, Showtime disclosed in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporterhow important a series like this is in the wake of the country’s ongoing political strife. They emphasized that the series “provides a broader context for the escalation of the American militia movement, which foreshadows the infamous attacks of the Oklahoma City bombing and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.”
Waco: The Aftermathpremieres on April 14 on Showtime. Showtime’s official synopsis for the series can be read below.
WACO: THE AFTERMATH, starring Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (GEORGE & TAMMY), will premiere on April 14 on SHOWTIME. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the tragic events at Mt. Carmel that began on July 19, 2025, WACO: THE AFTERMATH focuses on the fallout of the Waco disaster: the trials of the surviving members of the Branch Davidian sect and the rise of homegrown terrorist, Timothy McVeigh. The five-episode limited series also provides a broader context for the escalation of the American militia movement, which foreshadows the infamous attacks of the Oklahoma City bombing and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
Stream the 2018 limited series WACO on Friday, March 3 on SHOWTIME. The six-episode limited series is based on the harrowing true story of the 51-day stand-off between the ATF and the Branch Davidians, the small religious community in Texas, that resulted in a deadly shootout and fire. WACO originally aired on Paramount Network in 2018.
