Snowpiercer: Clark Gregg joins cast as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. producer takes over as showrunner

Back in July, we shared the news that TNT had ordered a fourth season of their series Snowpiercer as soon as production wrapped on season 3. Now Snowpiercer season 4 has started filming, with a new showrunner in charge. Taking over from previous showrunner Graeme Manson is Paul Zbyszewski, who was an executive producer on ABC’s Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and served as showrunner on the Hulu / Marvel series Helstrom. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Manson had always intended to leave Snowpiercer after three seasons.

Manson was hired to work on Snowpiercer as a replacement for the original showrunner, Josh Friedman (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), “who spent three years developing the series and said he was removed for not being compliant.”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Clark Gregg has joined Zbyszewski on Snowpiercer. Tony winner Michael Aronov (The Americans) has also signed on to star alongside returning leads Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly.

Inspired by director Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 film of the same name (watch it HERE) and its graphic novel source material, Snowpiercer is set 

more than seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland. The series centers on the remnants of humanity who inhabit a perpetually moving train, with 1001 cars, that circles the globe. As it does, issues of class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival are raised.

Zbyszewski provided the following statement:

I’m so grateful to everyone at TNT and Tomorrow Studios for letting me join the riveting world of Snowpiercer that Graeme and (writer/co-executive producer Aubrey Nealon) have so beautifully crafted and built. We have an exciting fourth season planned, and I can’t wait to be on set with such an incredible cast and crew as we continue to explore new worlds, create new mysteries and develop character relationships.”

Zbyszewski will be executive producing Snowpiercer season 4 with Christoph Schrewe, Tomorrow Studios’ Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements, Matthew O’Connor, Ben Rosenblatt, and Scott Derrickson. The film’s original producers, Bong Joon Ho, Miky Lee, Jinnie Choi, Park Chan-wook, Lee Tae-hun and Dooho Choi, also executive produce. Derrickson earns an executive producer credit because he directed the original pilot, which was scripted by Friedman. When Manson was brought on for rewrites that made the pilot “radically different”, Derrickson opted not to return for the reshoots.

Adelstein and Clements had this to say about Zbyszewski’s hiring:

Graeme and Aubrey masterfully brought the thrilling world and unique characters of Snowpiercer to life, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their contributions. We are excited for fans to see Paul thrillingly propel the complex journey of Snowpiercer even further with Christoph continuing in his role as directing executive producer, especially as Clark and Michael join our incredibly talented cast.”

I have never watched an episode of Snowpiercer, so I can’t comment on the behind-the-scenes drama. Do you watch the show, and are you looking forward to seeing a new season with a new showrunner in charge? Let us know by leaving a comment below.