‘Man in the High Castle’ Season 2 Loses Showrunner Frank Spotnitz

For all its initial controversy, Amazon’s Philip K. Dick-based Man in the High Castle drama went on to become the outlet’s most successful series, and despite a Season 2 renewal, production seems to have hit a snag. Showrunner and X-Files alum Frank Spotnitz has abruptly left production behind, leaving the show on an unexpected hiatus.

Per Deadline, Spotnitz’s sudden exit will necessitate a two-week hiatus on the second season’s Vancouver production, reportedly owing to the showrunner’s “hands-off” approach. No new showrunner will be sought to replace Spotnitz on the alternate reality World War II drama, while Amazon said of the exit:

Given the ambition and scope of the series, the decision has been made to locate all creative efforts on The Man in the High Castle to the west coast; Frank Spotnitz will remain as an Executive Producer and step back from showrunner. His responsibilities will be managed by our deep and talented bench of producers. We are enormously grateful to him for bringing our customers on one of the most watched original shows on Amazon Video and we are excited about the team’s vision for season two.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle adapts an old Philip K. Dick novel to imagine a 1962 in which the United States had lost World War II, and subsequently been divided between the German “Greater Nazi Reich,” and the “Japanese Pacific States.”

The series stars Alexa Davalos, Rufus Sewell, Rupert Evans, Luke Kleintank, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and DJ Qualls. Amazon hasn’t confirmed a projected 2016 premiere date for Season 2, but you can check out the full trailer below, and watch all episodes on Amazon Prime.