| Season Number: | 2 |
| Bgcolour: |
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| Image Upright: | 1.15 |
| Num Episodes: | 13 |
| Network: | FX |
| Prev Season: | Season 1 |
| Next Season: | Season 3 |
| Episode List: | List of Justified episodes |
The second season of the American neo-Western television series Justified premiered on February 9, 2011, on FX, and concluded on May 4, 2011, consisting of 13 episodes.[1] The series was developed by Graham Yost based on Elmore Leonard's novels Pronto and Riding the Rap and his short story "Fire in the Hole".[2] Its main character is Raylan Givens, a deputy U.S. Marshal. Timothy Olyphant portrays Givens, a tough federal lawman, enforcing his own brand of justice in his Kentucky hometown. The series is set in the city of Lexington, Kentucky, and the hill country of eastern Kentucky, specifically in and around Harlan.[3]
FX ordered a second season of 13 episodes on May 3, 2010.[4]
Walton Goggins, who had a recurring role in the first season as Boyd Crowder, was promoted to series regular beginning with the second season.[5]
Episodes were shot in California. The small town of Green Valley, California often doubles for Harlan, Kentucky.[6]
See also: List of Justified episodes.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 100% with an average score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 28 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Justified finds its footing in its second season with an expanded cast of characters that enriches its seedy world."[7] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 91 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "universal acclaim.[8]
Robert Bianco of USA Today praised Margo Martindale's performance, stating: "Like the show itself, Margo Martindale's performance is smart, chilling, amusing, convincing and unfailingly entertaining. And like the show, you really don't want to miss it."[9] Slant Magazine critic Scott Von Doviak praised Olyphant's performance and the writing for this season, observing: "Justified's rich vein of gallows humor, convincing sense of place, and twisty hillbilly-noir narratives are all selling points, but it's Olyphant's devilish grin that seals the deal."[10]
For the second season, it received four acting nominations for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards—Timothy Olyphant for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Walton Goggins for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Margo Martindale for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and Jeremy Davies for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, with Martindale winning.[11]
The second season averaged 2.649 million viewers and a 0.9 rating in the 18–49 demographic, improving 9.6% in viewership from the first season.[12]
The second season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on January 3, 2012,[13] in region 2 on July 18, 2011,[14] and in region 4 on September 5, 2012.[15] Special features on the season two set include deleted scenes, three behind-the-scenes featurettes, and outtakes.[16]