HBO has renewed its new series "The Leftovers" for Season 2. This series is based on Tom Perrotta's best-selling novel of the same name. It premiered on June 29 and according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), more than 8 million viewers have till now tuned in to watch the first two episodes of the series, across all telecasts -- HBO Go Plays and video-on-demand (VOD).

"The Leftovers" is the story about the living remnants, the ones who were left behind after 2 per cent of the world population disappeared, suddenly without an explanation, three years ago in a rapture kind of event. The story is set in the fictional town called Mapleton, New York.

The penultimate episode of the first season, "The Garveys At Their Best," looked back at what happened on Oct. 14, the day of Sudden Departure, and also revealed the events of Oct. 13. In flashbacks, one gets to see Kevin Garvey's family, a day before the Sudden Departure and on the day when the people vanished. At the time, he and Laurie and their kids Tom and Jill were living together under one roof. At first glance, they looked like a normal family, but the cracks soon became visible. On Oct. 14, Kevin was in a bed with a woman, who had hit a mysterious deer, and she disappeared. Laurie was pregnant and was getting her ultrasound done when the unborn baby disappeared from the screen. Tom and Jill were at a science event and they saw one of the kids vanish.

"The Prodigal Son Returns" is the title of the Season 1 finale. According to the synopsis of the episode, "An unexpected ally will help Kevin get out of a jam near the town of Cairo. In the meantime, an elaborate Memorial Day initiative by the Guilty Remnant, is going to plunge Mapleton into chaos. Holy Wayne will grant a final wish. Tom is going to cope with his new reality. Nora will make a life-changing decision."

"The Leftovers" Season 1 finale is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 7. It does not look like the final episode will answer questions about those who have disappeared and explain why they were the ones who vanished on that day.

"This a show about the human hunger for answers, yet the most profound answers never come to us and it reflects that. Yes, that will frustrate people in the way that life frustrates people but hey, they'll have to live with it," Perrotta said to Independent.

Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta have written the final episode of the freshman season. Mimi Leder had directed the episode.

 [Youtube/PreviewTeam]