PBS has renewed Civics Made Easy for a second season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, and it will premiere in exactly two days from now.
Civics Made Easy is hosted by author Ben Sheehan (What Does the Constitution Actually Say? A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy Is Supposed to Work); season two’s eight episodes will run through January 2027. The Webby Award-winning series explores the fundamentals of our government.
This new season of Civics Made Easy explores questions like, “Is America really a democracy?” “What is partisan gerrymandering, and how is it legal?” and “How much power does my state have?”
In each episode, Sheehan “breaks down complex topics into digestible lessons that help audiences of all ages better understand the fundamentals of U.S. government,” the PBS synopsis continues. “New episodes will also explore constitutional rights, proposals for federal term and age limits, the Supreme Court’s shadow docket, the extent of the separation between church and state, and who decides what kids learn in public education.”
Civics Made Easy, produced by Second Peninsula, premieres on Wednesday on PBS member stations, the PBS app, PBS.org and YouTube. Sheehan also writes and executive produces the series.
“Civics isn’t confined to the classroom, it plays out around us daily,” Sheehan said in a statement. “For season two, we wanted to tackle some of today’s thorniest political questions. My goal has always been to make government more understandable — because the more we know how it works, the more we can ensure it works for us.”
“Civics Made Easy has been a hit with PBS audiences, generating engagement and excitement from stations and viewers from across the nation,” said Margaret Ebrahim, senior director of multiplatform -programming at PBS. “We’re so proud to have Ben Sheehan as part of this special initiative, as he has a rare ability to make civics feel exciting instead of intimidating for our curious audiences of lifelong learners.”
Steve Goldbloom is the creative director and executive producer of Civics Made Easy; Melissa Williams and Julie Hermelin also executive produce. Ana Dávila and Summer Mastain are producers. Benita Sills is senior editor and Fred Arelaro is finishing editor. Gabi Amerth is social media manager. Executives in charge for PBS are Margaret Ebrahim, Caroline Rickert and Estefanía De León.