Atlanta season 3 explained

Season Number:3
Bgcolour:
  1. BAA87F
Num Episodes:10
Network:FX

The third season of the American television series Atlanta premiered on March 24, 2022, on FX. The season is produced by Gilga, 343 Incorporated, MGMT. Entertainment, and FXP, with Donald Glover, Paul Simms, Dianne McGunigle, Stephen Glover, Hiro Murai, and Stefani Robinson serving as executive producers. Donald Glover serves as creator and showrunner, writing two episodes and directing three episodes of the season.

The season was ordered in June 2018.[1] It stars Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz. The series follows Earn during his daily life in Atlanta, Georgia, as he tries to redeem himself in the eyes of his ex-girlfriend Van, who is also the mother of his daughter Lottie; as well as his parents and his cousin Alfred, who raps under the stage name "Paper Boi"; and Darius, Alfred's eccentric right-hand man. The season takes place in Europe, with the characters in the middle of a European tour. The European cities featured throughout the season include Amsterdam, London, and Paris. The season also explores events happening back in America outside of the core characters in several stand-alone episodes with a vignette format. Fans and critics have speculated that these episodes are depictions of Earn's dreams.[2] These episodes take place in Atlanta and New York.

The season premiered on March 24, 2022, on FX. The season premiere received 0.310 million viewers with a 0.1 ratings share in the 18–49 demographics. The season ended on May 20, 2022, with an average of 0.25 million viewers, which was a 61% decrease from the previous season.[3] The season has received critical acclaim, with television commentators lauding the performances, directing, writing, and storytelling. However, the standalone episodes have garnered a more mixed response as the season has gone on; whilst they were initially praised, as they have progressed criticisms have gone towards the abrupt changes in settings, the anthological nature of each episode, as well as the main cast not appearing in any of the standalone episodes. In August 2019, two and a half years before the season started airing, FX renewed the series for a fourth and final season.[4] [5]

Cast and characters

Main

Guest

Episodes

Production

Development

The series was renewed for a third season in June 2018. FX Networks and FX Productions programming president Nick Grad commented, “Atlanta is phenomenal, achieving and exceeding what few television series have done. With Atlanta Robbin' Season, Donald and his collaborators elevated the series to even greater heights, building on the enormous success of their award-winning first season. We're grateful to the producers and our extraordinary cast and crew for achieving this level of excellence, and we share the excitement with our audience about the third season knowing they will continue to take us to unexpected and thrilling places."[7]

In August 2019, FX confirmed that the season would consist of eight episodes.[8] In January 2020, FX upped the episode order to ten episodes.[9]

Writing

Before production started, Stephen Glover said that the season would focus on more female-centric stories, "I think we have some cool ideas in season three that'll put some more women on screen. There's a very specific perspective from the Atlanta woman that I think we're gonna explore in season three."[10]

Regarding about setting the season in Europe, Donald Glover said "It's our point of view; it's not really about the place. Although in Season 4, it makes a very heavy resurgence, as far as the actual place. Atlanta is a state of mind. Europe solidified how we felt while writing Season 3. Director Hiro Murai calls it our maximum season."[11]

In 2020, Donald Glover drew attention when he claimed that the third and fourth season "are going to be some of the best television ever made. Sopranos only ones who can touch us."[12] When questioned about the statement, Glover said "I'm not backing down from that shit. I'm holding my nuts out on that shit. I just want audiences to know this shit is good. It's high quality shit."[11]

Part of the season is divided on anthology episodes, consisting of "Three Slaps", "The Big Payback", "Trini 2 De Bone", and "Rich Wigga, Poor Wigga". Executive producer Stefani Robinson explained the decision, "it just sort of felt like the natural progression of what we wanted to try creatively. Donald has done such a good job of making us feel like the show can really be whatever we want it to be in terms of creativity. He's referred to it a couple of times as a playground or at least this is how it feels. You don't have to be shackled to this idea of making a more traditional sitcom or comedy structure. This is something very different."[13]

Filming

In January 2019, Zazie Beetz stated that filming for the season would be delayed due to the cast's schedule.[14] In August 2019, FX confirmed that the season would start filming on spring 2020, filming back-to-back with the fourth season.[15] However, production was shut down amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Production was set to resume in April 2021, with the series planning to film in Europe.[17] Donald Glover confirmed that production on the season started on April 2, 2021.[18] In August 2021, FX confirmed that the season wrapped filming.[19]

Release

Broadcast

In February 2019, Chairman of FX, John Landgraf, confirmed that the season would be delayed and that it would miss eligibility for the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards.[20] In January 2020, Landgraf said that the season would air in January 2021, with the fourth season airing later that year.[21] However, due to production pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Landgraf said the season would not be ready for its intended January 2021 premiere date, later signaling that the season would premiere in 2022.[22] [23] In December 2021, FX finally announced that the season would premiere on March 24, 2022.[24]

Marketing

In October 2021, a teaser trailer for the season was released.[25] A new trailer debuted in December 2021.[26] The first two episodes premiered at the 2022 South by Southwest on March 19, 2022.[27]

Reception

Critical reception

Based upon the first two episodes given to critics, the third season has received critical acclaim. The season has a score of 93 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[28] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 96%, based on 130 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Atlanta takes Paper Boi and his entourage out of Georgia, but this inspired third season proves that the more things change, the more they stay weird."[29]

Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter gave it a highly positive review and wrote, "no other show on TV is doing the thing that Atlanta does, with its doses of humor, surrealism, horror, travelogue and hip-hop as genre-blending starting points for an uncomfortable exploration of racial identity in America."[30] Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence wrote that the series "remains as ethereal and shocking and fascinating as ever" and "in just the first two episodes of Season 3, the creative team delivers at least a half-dozen moments you'll never forget. Atlanta is a gift."[31]

Accolades

AwardCategoryNomineesResult
TCA AwardsOutstanding Achievement in ComedyAtlanta[32] [33]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover[34]
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy SeriesHiro Murai (for "New Jazz")

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Atlanta' Renewed For A Third Season By FX. Patten. Dominic. June 7, 2018. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  2. Web site: The Finale of 'Atlanta' Season 3 Offered More Questions Than Answers . May 20, 2022 . July 31, 2022 . Dan . Jackson . Thrillist.
  3. Web site: Atlanta: Season Three Ratings. May 20, 2022. May 20, 2022. TV Series Finale.
  4. Web site: 'Atlanta' Renewed For Fourth Season By FX. Petski. Denise. August 6, 2019. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  5. Web site: Goldberg. Lesley. 'Atlanta' Ending With Season 4 on FX. The Hollywood Reporter. May 20, 2022. February 17, 2022.
  6. Web site: 2022-04-01 . Jai Paul Makes Cameo in New Episode of Atlanta . 2023-04-23 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  7. Web site: 'Atlanta' Renewed for Third Season at FX. Sandberg. Bryn. June 7, 2018. February 5, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. Web site: 'Atlanta' Renewed for Season 4 at FX. Otterson. Joe. August 6, 2019. February 5, 2022. Variety.
  9. Web site: Atlanta Season 3 Gets Expanded Episode Order, Won't Air Until Next Year. Nemetz. Dave. January 9, 2020. February 5, 2022. TVLine.
  10. Web site: 'Atlanta' Season 3 Will Focus on Additional Female-Centric Stories. Campione. Katie. June 11, 2018. February 5, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. Web site: Donald Glover Explains His Approach to 'Atlanta' Season 3: 'We Wanted to Make a Black Fairytale'. Hailu. Selome. March 20, 2022. March 22, 2022. Variety.
  12. Web site: Donald Glover On Seasons 3-4 Of 'Atlanta': "Sopranos Only Ones Who Can Touch Us". Haring. Bruce. November 6, 2020. March 22, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  13. Web site: Atlantas Stefani Robinson on writing that unexpected season 3 finale. Martin. Michael. May 20, 2022. May 19, 2022. The A.V. Club.
  14. Web site: When to Expect 'Atlanta' Season 3? Zazie Beetz Says They Should Already Be Filming. Nordine. Michael. January 27, 2019. February 5, 2022. IndieWire.
  15. Web site: 'Atlanta' Seasons 3 and 4 Will Be Shot Back-to-Back in Spring 2020. Travers. Ben. August 6, 2019. February 5, 2022. IndieWire.
  16. Web site: FX Series 'Atlanta', 'Fargo', 'Snowfall' & 'Y' Shut Down Over Coronavirus Concerns. Andreeva. Nellie. March 13, 2020. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  17. 'Atlanta' Cast Heading To Europe Soon To Shoot Seasons 3 & 4 Of FX Comedy Series. D'Alessandro. Anthony. March 12, 2021. February 5, 2022. Entertainment Weekly.
  18. Web site: Donald Glover shares photo marking start of production (finally!) on Atlanta season 3. Aquilina. Tyler. April 2, 2021. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  19. Web site: 'Atlanta': FX Shares Update On Season 3 & 4. Cordero. Rosy. August 13, 2021. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  20. Web site: FX Boss Offers Update on Next American Crime Story, Confirms Atlanta Season 3 Will Miss Emmy Window. Webb Mitovich. Matt. February 4, 2019. February 5, 2022. TVLine.
  21. Web site: 'Atlanta': Update On Season 3, 4 & Beyond, News On Episode Increase & 2021 Return Date- TCA. Andreeva. Nellie. D'Alessandro. Anthony. January 9, 2022. February 5, 2022. TVLine.
  22. Web site: FX Chief John Landgraf Lays Out Return To Production Plan For 'Atlanta', 'The Old Man' & 'Y: The Last Man' As 'Fargo' Wraps Season 4. White. Peter. September 9, 2020. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  23. Web site: 'AHS10', 'American Horror Stories,' 'Impeachment: ACS' & 'Atlanta' Season 3: FX Chairman John Landgraf Teases Approximate Premiere Dates. Del Rosario. Alexandra. May 18, 2021. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  24. Web site: 'Atlanta' Season 3 Will Finally Arrive Next Spring, as FX Announces Long-Overdue Premiere Date. Schneider. Michael. December 22, 2021. February 5, 2022. Variety.
  25. Web site: Atlanta Season 3: Donald Glover Drops Surprise Teaser Trailer — And Side-Eyes Those Who Say FX's Dave Is as Good. Schwartz. Ryan. October 31, 2021. February 5, 2022. TVLine.
  26. Earn and co. navigate foreign European terrain in the new teaser for Atlanta season 3. Wang. Jessica. December 26, 2021. February 5, 2022. Entertainment Weekly.
  27. Web site: SXSW's Lineup For Return To In-Person Festival Includes Movies With Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Pete Davidson, Rose Byrne & More. D'Alessandro. Anthony. February 2, 2022. February 5, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  28. Web site: Atlanta – Season 3 Reviews . . March 20, 2022.
  29. Web site: Atlanta: Season 3 (2022) . . March 23, 2022.
  30. Web site: FX's 'Atlanta' Season 3: TV Review . . Daniel . Fienberg . March 19, 2022 . March 23, 2022.
  31. Web site: Atlanta Season 3 Is the Best Sort of Television — Something Truly Unique: Review . . Liz Shannon . Miller . March 19, 2022 . March 23, 2022.
  32. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary' Leads 2022 TCA Awards Nominations: Full List . Emily . Longeretta . June 16, 2022 . June 17, 2022 . Variety.
  33. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards . Hailu . Selome . August 6, 2022 . . August 6, 2022.
  34. Web site: Moreau . Jordan . Schneider . Michael . Emmys 2022: The Complete Nominations List . . July 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712193223/https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/emmys-nominations-list-2022-1235313788/ . July 12, 2022 . July 12, 2022 . live.