The critically acclaimed docu-series “Born This Way“, which follows the lives of seven South Californians with Down syndrome, is set to air its second season Tuesday, July 26, on A&E, after a debut Emmy-nominated season.
Laura Korkoian, co-executive producer at Bunim-Murray Productions, gave The Mighty an exclusive look into what viewers can expect to see in season two:
This season the cast continues to pursue their goals and dreams, while striving for greater independence. Megan is offered an opportunity in Los Angeles that reactivates her desire and dream to live in California, with or without her mom.
Steven is putting himself out there in the dating world, Sean goes on a few blind dates and may or may not meet someone special, Elena pursues her passion for poetry, Rachel continues to blossom and put herself out there in the world by taking risks and creating the life she wants to live. Cristina begins spending time following a new passion and learns how hard it is to balance relationship and commitments. John is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that tests him as an artist.
Two cast members move in together to test what it will be like to live independently.
The series, which is the first of its kind, enjoyed a successful six-episode run last winter that saw viewership rise 83 percent over its duration.
In June, the Television Academy Honors hosted “Born This Way” as one of six shows “tackling complex issues and promoting social change.” Earlier this month, it was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. Two of its episodes also garnered nods for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program.
In a press release announcing the series had been renewed for a second season, executive producer Jonathan Murray cited the fledgling series as one of the greatest successes of his nearly 30-year TV career.
“Over the course of my career, when I’ve been asked what show I was proudest of it was always ‘The Real World.’ Now there’s a contender to that title – it’s ‘Born This Way,’” Murray said in the release. “I am thrilled the series will return for a second season, and I want to acknowledge the invaluable support we have received from advocacy groups for the disabled, especially RespectAbility and Best Buddies International who have been tirelessly spreading the word.”
In the same release, A&E Executive Vice President & Head of Programming, Elaine Frontain Bryant expressed gratitude for viewer support.
“We have been overwhelmed and moved by the feedback we’ve received for ‘Born This Way’ from viewers, as well as people with disabilities and their family members,” Bryant said. “It’s rare to be able to present a show that changes the way we see the world; we believe ‘Born This Way’ is one of those shows.”
The second season of “Born This Way” premieres on A&E on Tuesday, July 26 at 10 p.m. EST.
Megan Zahneis is a first-year journalism student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, pursuing her passion for writing, advocacy, awareness and public speaking. She hopes to write a memoir to share her story of living with a very rare neurological disorder and effect positive change in others’ lives. In addition to her work writing for Major League Baseball and her school newspaper, Megan is a founding member of her school’s Students with Disabilities Advisory Council and a senior staff member at the Ohio Youth Leadership Forum for high school students with disabilities. Visit her website at meganzahneis.com.
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