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The post-apocalyptic TV series is back to its platform, and it's safe to say that viewers were delightfully shocked by the quality of its initial run. By depicting the atomic-age, post-apocalyptic United States through the eyes of three distinct characters, it managed to capture various facets of the player's adventure.

We followed Lucy the vault dweller, attempting to do the right thing and finding that the ruined world made that incredibly hard; Brotherhood initiate Max, the Brotherhood of Steel rookie, who begins to question his faction's authority and unleashes a lot of havoc in robotic power armour; and the Ghoul, a standout performance who has long since lost any moral compass out in the contaminated wastes.

Building Anticipation for a New Chapter

The show's first season ending disclosed a major secret about those responsible for the global annihilation that condemned a population in subterranean shelters for centuries. It also raised plenty of questions unresolved for the upcoming chapter – and, this time, expectations are significantly higher.

“We’ll take ‘pretty good’ – let’s get that on a poster,” says one of the series creators.

“Heading into the initial season, people were like, ‘Just don't mess it up’,” adds the game director. “We are ecstatic with the response to the show, so this time people are bringing more enthusiasm and new expectations.”

A New Vegas Vibe for the Next Installment

The new season is located in the neon-lit city, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is widely regarded for having the best writing and cast in the franchise, even if it was a bit broken at launch.

“It has a arid atmosphere, a Mojave vibe, that’s so essential to that game,” explains Nolan. “That parched, blasted-out Route 66 feeling of the game is so much enjoyable to incorporate into the show.”

In the series narrative, a long time has passed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists arrive there. Yet, the creators indicate that it acknowledges the player’s journey.

The Importance of Physical Sets

The Fallout TV series is notable for its tangible quality – its makers insisted on authentic items and sets were built, mirroring the improvised nature of the settlements in the games.

“As a sci-fi fan, so many series I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all standing in front of a blue screen,” says another of the showrunners. “The whole point of an translation, especially of a video game, is to appear as if it’s tangible.”

In fact, virtually every element you see on-screen is physical, including the notoriously frightening mutated beasts known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are brought to life with practical effects, and were reportedly pretty frightening up close.

Made by Fans, for Fans

The Fallout series works because it is developed by talented film-makers who are also passionate gamers, alongside the visionaries behind the video games. This common understanding for the lore is evident in the end result.

The second season is launching on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a full-season drop, representing a shift from the first season. This approach will allow for a different weekly discussion, something the creators themselves are excited to engage with.

“It's richer, it’s more expansive, it’s more humorous, it has a lot of surprises,” teases Howard. “I’m looking forward to seeing what people think.”